I think most ppl take rishikesh to be a sacred pilgrimage spotbut I differi had been to rishikesh just few days back for white water raftingand believe me it was **TOOOO GOOD
And yes absolutely safe tooi myself was a first timer at itwas a bit scared but then it was funThere is a **24Kms rafting starting from marine drive(as they call it) and ending after ramjhula and another 16Kms rafting starting from shivpuri and ending after ramjhula
There r 13 rapids in that 24Kms distancefirst 5 r not that scary but afetr that there r another 4/5 rapids which are wonderfulthey r Grade 4 rapidsnames are Roller Coaster, Golf Course, Cash Flow, ClubHouseand u know thrs one place called Body Surfingit will be a surprise and I wont give any details about it nowjust go and find outno problem for non swimmers tooas I was one out of them :)
We stayed at campswhich were on the river bedthere r no of camps therethey have tentsno permanent structuresno currentbut absolute paradiseSome Useful Info : From Delhi you can reach rishikesh by bus or by hiring a carBetter to take a carIn rishikesh at muni ki reti u hav these booking offices for the campsthey will arrange everything from lodging, fooding, rafting and a small trek alsou can do both the raftings, one on each day The best time is at Feb-March for rafting