In Rishikesh, the Historic Lakshman Jhula Now Stands Silent and Rusting

Rishikesh's iconic Lakshman Jhula, shut to the public around six years ago on safety grounds, now sits rusted and deserted after footfall shifted entirely to the newly built Hanuman Setu nearby.

Every tourist who once visited Rishikesh made it a point to walk across the Lakshman Jhula, but the bridge that greets visitors today looks nothing like the one from old photographs. Rusted railings, peeling paint and a structure that is visibly weakening in several places have become its new identity. Visitors who reach the spot often ask if this really is the famous Lakshman Jhula whose pictures were once seen across the world.

Shut down over safety concerns
Movement of the general public on the Lakshman Jhula was completely stopped around six years ago after safety concerns were raised about the structure. There was hope that the bridge would eventually be repaired and reopened, but that never happened. Instead, the lack of upkeep has only made things worse over time. Rust has spread across several iron sections of the bridge, and the paint that once gave it its shine has peeled off in patches.

A time when the bridge was never empty
There was once a time when almost no tourist left Rishikesh without stopping at the Lakshman Jhula. People would stand on it to take in the view of the Ganga, click photographs and spend hours at the spot. The bridge stayed busy from morning to evening, and that footfall directly benefited the shops and small businesses nearby. Lakshman Jhula was never just a crossing point, it was part of the city's identity and part of countless visitors' memories.

Hanuman Setu changed the entire picture
A new bridge, Hanuman Setu, now stands right next to Lakshman Jhula, and it is this new bridge that people use to cross the Ganga today. Once Hanuman Setu opened, the old Lakshman Jhula turned completely deserted. The spot that once drew crowds of tourists now wears a look of silence. Most visitors only glance at the old bridge from a distance or take a few photographs before heading on to Hanuman Setu. The buzz that once defined the place is simply not there anymore.

Locals describe how the mood shifted
People living around the bridge say the area used to stay lively at all hours, with shops doing brisk business and tourists spending hours in the vicinity. But since the bridge was shut, the entire atmosphere has changed. Visitors now head straight for Hanuman Setu, and as a result, the area around Lakshman Jhula has lost the liveliness it once had.

Still tied to memories, yet a source of disappointment
Even so, Lakshman Jhula remains deeply linked to people's emotions. Old visitors who return to Rishikesh often find themselves reliving old memories at the sight of the bridge. But its deteriorating condition also leaves them disappointed. Pictures of the bridge frequently surface on social media, with people talking about the need for repair and conservation. Everyone seems to want to see this historic structure restored to its former glory.

Why protecting this heritage matters
Lakshman Jhula is far more than an iron bridge, it has long stood as a symbol of Rishikesh's history and its identity as a tourist town. Its present, run down state raises a larger question about how important it is to protect heritage sites before it is too late. If the historic bridge is properly conserved, it can continue to draw visitors for generations to come.

Even though people now cross the river using Hanuman Setu, that has not diminished the significance of Lakshman Jhula. What is needed now is concrete action to restore this historic landmark, so that every tourist who comes to Rishikesh does not just hear its old story, but gets to see it standing in the same grandeur and beauty that once made it famous the world over.

What this means for you
• Across India: The story is a warning for other heritage tourist spots nationwide, showing how a lack of timely maintenance can turn a famous landmark into a deserted structure.
• In Rishikesh: Shopkeepers and small businesses around Lakshman Jhula have taken a direct hit, since tourists now head straight to Hanuman Setu instead of stopping at the old bridge.

Questions & Answers

1. Since when has Lakshman Jhula been closed?
It was completely closed to public movement around six years ago due to safety concerns.

2. Which bridge do people now use to cross the Ganga?
People now use the newly built Hanuman Setu located right next to Lakshman Jhula.

3. What condition is Lakshman Jhula in currently?
The railing has rusted in several places, the paint has peeled off, and the structure is weakening in parts.

4. How has the bridge closure affected local shopkeepers?
Since tourists now go straight to Hanuman Setu, sales and business at shops around Lakshman Jhula have taken a direct hit.

5. Are people still emotionally attached to Lakshman Jhula?
Yes, returning tourists often relive old memories at the sight of the bridge, though its poor condition also leaves them disappointed.

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