Ram Jhula was built by PWD with the help of Shivananda Ashram in 1980. Previously it was a hanging jute ropeway bridge without any pillars. Ram Jhula has attractions like Shivananda Ashram, Swargashram, Beatles Ashram, Yog Niketan, Parmarth Niketan, Geeta Bhawan and many more holy places.
Ram Jhula (Hindi: राम झूला) is an iron suspension bridge across the river Ganges, located 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) north-east from the town Rishikesh in the Indian state of Uttarakhand.
The bridge connects the Sivananda Nagar area of Muni Ki Reti in Tehri Garhwal district to Swargashram in Pauri Garhwal district crossing the river from west to east. Built in the year 1986, the bridge is one of the iconic landmarks of Rishikesh.
There are many Hindu ashrams and religious centers established at both sides of the Ganges.[1] It is also a connecting bridge between Sivananda Ashram located in Muni Ki Reti to Gita Bhawan, Parmarth Niketan and other temples located in Swargashram.
Though similar in design, this bridge is bigger than Lakshman Jhula which is 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) upwards the river stream.[2] This bridge is constructed with the span of 750 feet (230 m).
The famed Ram Jhula was once a bridge composed of extremely strong jute ropes that were densely entwined to give it strength and support the weight of onlookers. It didn't have any pillars at first to offer structural support. It was later reconstructed with iron by the PWD under government supervision in 1986.
The name of the bridge is derived from the Aryan King Lord Ram, the protagonist of the epic Ramayana, because it is located near the spiritual and holy city of Rishikesh.
