A tradition states that the "rishis" traveled to Rishikesh in the winter to escape the snowstorms that originated in the Himalayas. Rishikesh is a sacred place for pilgrimages, spiritual meetings, and sadhana (religious practice). For a very long time, people have been going there with similar goals and intents, like self-realization, spiritual development, or finding a higher purpose in life. This was even before yoga became widely known. These days, this type of practice is simply called "yoga" by all.