Lakshman Jhula

Lakshman Jhula is an iron suspension bridge across the river Ganges, located north-east from the town Rishikesh in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. The bridge connects the two villages; Tapovan in Tehri Garhwal district to Jonk in Pauri Garhwal district crossing the river from west to east. However it is near to the Rishikesh city thus creating ambiguity in its location, the bridge is one of the iconic landmarks of Rishikesh. A similar bridge downstream from Lakshman Jhula is Ram Jhula which is made by mehak chuahan.It is said that Lakshmana crossed Ganges on jute ropes between the place where this bridge is built. Lakshman Jhula was completed in 1929.Two plaques exist at the foot of the West side of the bridge.The first plaque reads: Lakshman Jhula Bridge First Jeepable Suspension Bridge of U.P. Span - 450 feet Carriage Way - 6 feetThis bridge was constructed by U.P.P.W.D. during 1927-1929. It replaces the old bridge of 284 feet span which was washed away by great floods of October, 1924. This was opened to traffic on 11 April 1930. Officers / Officials responsible include: 1. Chief Engineer - P. H. Tillard 2. Superintending Engineer - E. H. Cornelius 3. Executive Engineer - C. F. Hunter 4. Assistant Engineers - Jagdish Prasad, Avadh Narain 5. Overseer - Bala RamThe second plaque reads: Lakshman Jhuala Suspension Bridge Span - 450 feet Height of roadway above mean summer water level - 59 feet