Lakshman Jhula
A 450-foot iron suspension bridge over the Ganges built in 1927–29. It has been restricted and is being replaced, so check its status.
Overview
Lakshman Jhula is one of Rishikesh's oldest landmarks. This guide covers its history and what we know, and don't know, about access now.
Lakshman Jhula is an iron suspension bridge across the Ganges about 5 km north-east of central Rishikesh. Wikipedia gives a span of 450 feet and a height of 59 feet above the summer water level. It was built between 1927 and 1929 and opened to traffic on 11 April 1930, replacing an earlier 284-foot bridge destroyed in the 1924 floods; it was reportedly the first jeepable suspension bridge in what was then the United Provinces.
Local tradition ties the spot to Lakshmana, Rama's brother, crossing the river on jute ropes. Wikipedia notes that as of 5 November 2020 the bridge was restricted to pedestrians and was to be closed permanently once a parallel replacement is built. Drishti IAS states that it was closed to all traffic in 2019 and that a new Bajrang Setu, with glass pedestrian walkways, is planned.
We could not confirm whether the old bridge or the new one is open now, so check locally before you go. Cafes, shops and ashrams line both banks. Even if the bridge is shut, the riverside area is still worth a walk.
Entry fees
Entry
All visitors
No toll or ticket is mentioned by the sources; free access not explicitly confirmed.
Free
Needs verification
No fee found for walking the bridge or area; shops and cafes charge their own prices.
We only show an amount when a source backs it. Prices change, so confirm locally before you go.
Opening hours
Opening hours have not been confirmed by a reliable source yet.
Status unclear: restricted to pedestrians from 2020 and described as closed to traffic; current access is unconfirmed.
Check locally for the current status of the old bridge and the Bajrang Setu replacement.
Visitor information
- Best time to visit
- October to March; early morning or evening
- Best time of day
- Early morning, before crowds
- How long to spend
- 1 hour
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Families
- Suitable for families
Good to know
- Follow any closure or restrictions in force
- Keep to the pedestrian side if open
- Watch for monkeys
Location
Lakshman Jhula, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India
30.12636, 78.32989
Get directionsPhotos
Lakshman Jhula over the Ganges. Photo: McKay Savage from London, UK / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0 The bridge from the bank. Photo: Snehrashmi / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 View from a boat. Photo: KaustubhNayyar / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 Sunset at the bridge. Photo: Tylersundance / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
Frequently asked questions
Is Lakshman Jhula open?
Wikipedia says that as of November 2020 it was pedestrian-only and to be closed permanently; Drishti IAS says it was closed to traffic in 2019. Check locally.
When was Lakshman Jhula built?
1927–1929, opened 11 April 1930, per Wikipedia.
What is the Bajrang Setu?
A planned replacement with a central deck for two-wheelers and glass pedestrian walkways, per Drishti IAS; we found no confirmed opening date.
Information sources
Where the facts on this page come from, and what still needs confirming.
Information last checked 7 October 2026
Not yet confirmed
- current open or closed status
- free access
Not available yet
- official status notice
- Bajrang Setu opening date
- Wikipedia – Lakshman Jhula · Encyclopedia
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