Anand Mahindra recalls Rishikesh's Chotiwala as his filmmaking 'canteen'

Recently, ace industrialist Anand Mahindra shared his old memories that brought Rishikesh in Uttrakhand into the spotlight for a more personal reason. In his #Sundaywanderer post on X on October 18, 2026, he revisited memories of his filmmaking days in the town.

He recalled a restaurant where he regularly ate and the hills where he filmed a sadhu for his thesis film.It’s a fact that Rishikesh has long drawn travellers looking for different things from a holiday. For some, it is a place to sit beside the Ganga and meditate, for some it's a place they find peace and spirituality and listen to the river. For others, it is a destination for yoga, adventure and temple visits.For travellers, his personal memories of Rishikesh offered a reason to look beyond Rishikesh's familiar adventure activities.Sharing a few pictures, he wrote,“These pictures take me straight back to my filmmaking days. Chotiwala restaurant was practically my canteen while I was making my thesis film. And I’d head up into the hills behind Swargashram to film the sadhu, Bankhandi Baba.”Chotiwala restaurant

Being at Chotiwala restaurant and eating there is among the strongest memories Anand Mahindra shared. He described it as “practically my canteen” while making his thesis film.

For travellers, the restaurant offers a chance to connect with a familiar part of Rishikesh's food and cultural landscape. Rather than treating the restaurant as just another stop on a sightseeing itinerary, visitors can make time to enjoy a meal and explore the surrounding streets.SwargashramSwargashram was another place Mahindra mentioned from his early filmmaking days. He recalled heading into the hills behind the area to film a sadhu named Bankhandi Baba.

Located along the Ganga, it has ashrams, temples and yoga and spiritual studies centres. For those seeking a break from crowded tourist attractions, an unhurried walk through this area can be as rewarding as visiting the town's better-known landmarks.He further wrote, “Haven’t been back for a while. But Rishikesh seems to be getting quite a makeover! New riverfront walkways, spruced-up public spaces.”Triveni GhatA visit to Rishikesh is incomplete without witnessing the evening Ganga aarti at Triveni Ghat.

The ceremony brings together priests, lamps, devotional chanting and visitors gathered along the riverbank. Triveni Ghat is one of the town's best-known bathing ghats, where pilgrims traditionally take a holy dip before visiting nearby temples. It is suggested to arrive early which allows one to find a place to sit and observe the surroundings.Beatles Ashram

Beatles Ashram is another prime highlight of Rishikesh's international appeal.

In February 1968, members of the Beatles visited Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's ashram to learn transcendental meditation. The site, now popularly known as Beatles Ashram or Chaurasi Kutia.Visitors can explore its old meditation structures, forest surroundings and graffiti-covered walls. It offers a different perspective on the town, showing how Rishikesh became a meeting point for Indian spiritual traditions and international cultural influences.Riverfront walks on the Ganga“A welcome facelift for a town where nature has always done most of the decorating”, he writes further.The new riverfront walkways and improved public spaces mentioned by Anand Mahindra bring attention to another way of experiencing Rishikesh.For those seeking more action, Rishikesh is also known for white-water rafting, particularly around Shivpuri, approximately 19 km from the town.

Rafting is one of the region's major adventure activities subject to local conditions and official permissions. Visitors should book through authorised operators and follow safety instructions.How to plan a trip to Rishikesh

The period from mid-September to December is among the recommended times to visit. October can be particularly appealing for travellers who want to combine riverside walks, temple visits and outdoor activities. A two-day trip can cover Swargashram, Chotiwala restaurant, Triveni Ghat and Beatles Ashram, with additional time for rafting or other activities if conditions permit.Ending his posts, he throws light on the most important thing, the soul of Rishikesh:“But I just hope that, amid all the changes, Rishikesh holds on to its soul”.