Rishikesh is the starting point of pilgrimage routes to the shrines of the Garhwal Himalayas. Full pilgrimage route (Tirtha Yatra ) called Chardhay , ie four shrines, includes: Yamunotri - the source of the Yamuna, Gangotri - the source of the Ganges, Kedarnath and Badrinath , are Garhvalskimi places of stay of Shiva and Vishnu , respectively, and are located near the sources of the Mandakini and Alakananda river flowing into the Ganges.
