WANDERLUST: On the Banks of Holy River Ganges - Rishikesh

Rishikesh, one of the most serene and spiritual places of the world, has always filled my heart with peace and tranquility. This time, as there was International Yoga Festival, (1st to 7th March, 2014) Dev Bhoomi (Land of Gods) has a different color and atmosphere. As my younger brother has come from Singapore, so he thought of joining me from Delhi… So here are some of my impressions from the trip... through some of the pictures that I took there…

But before that let me tell you something more about Rishikesh...

RISHIKESH: BRIEF HISTORY

A very large statue of Shiva adorns
the famous Haridwar Ghat

Rishikesh has been a part of the legendary 'Kedarkhand' (the present day Garhwal). Legends state that Lord Rama did penance here for killing Ravana, the demon king of Lanka; and Lakshmana, his younger brother, crossed the river Ganges, at a point, where the present 'Lakshman Jhula' (लक्ष्मण झूला) bridge stands today, using a jute rope bridge. The 'Kedar Khand' of Skanda Purana, also mentions the existence of Indrakund at this very point. The jute-rope bridge was replaced by iron-rope suspension bridge in 1889, and after it was washed away in the 1924 floods, it was replaced by the present stronger bridge. Another similar suspension bridge Ram Jhula was built in 1986 at nearby Shivanand Nagar.

The sacred river Ganges flows through Rishikesh. It is here that the river leaves the Shivalik mountains in the Himalayas and flows out into the plains of northern India. Several temples, ancient as well as new, can be found along the banks of the Ganges in Rishikesh. Shatrughan Temple, Bharat Mandir, Laxman Temple are the ancient temples established by Adi Sancharacharya. Shatrughan Temple is located near Ram Jhula and Laxman Mandir is near to Laxman Jhula (Laxman Bridge).

As with Haridwar about an hour south, Rishikesh is considered by Hindus to be a holy city and is vegetarian by law.

Text Curtsy: Wikipedia

NOW COME, WALK WITH US… TO THE SPIRITUAL CAPITAL OF THE WORLD

To see some more journeys over the years to this amazing place… click on the following links..

GATEWAY BUDDHA CAFÉ - 2011

NEELKANTH MAHADEV – 2012

THE PATH WITHIN - 2013

As is customary, every auspicious thing starts with beetal leaf
concotion, known as Paan...

And we reached Haridwar, almost 250 KMs away, in time for a bath
and lovely lunch at 150 years old Chotiwala... 

My brother feels pleased about the place...

And then we moved on to Triveni Ghat in Rishikesh, 21 KMs away from
Haridwar...

Triveni Ghat is probably the most calm place for the ritual bath...in
Holy River Ganges...

Where you find large variety of exotic birds having a go at it too...

And the most iconic image from Bhagwat Gita, brought to life...

And the guest from across the world, converged for International Yoga
Festival, checking their own pictures, against another iconic back drop

The Ram Jhula, near my favorite place of stay - the Guru Nivas of
Sivananda Ashram, which has been my residence over the years..

And the stone, where I used to meditate early in the mornings, called
my younger brother to offer some flowers to Holy River Ganges..

And some of the documentary makers from International Yoga Festival
capturing life of the resident yogi...

Well that triggered our own time for a pose...

And I got take one of mine too...at the stone in the middle of the Holy
River Ganges..

And the soft sunset ... 

 Hope you enjoyed the walk with me, and finally leaving you with a beautiful song from a yogi, on the banks of the holy Rivers Ganges at Triveni Ghat... singing about "The Mad Fakir, who is drunk on Ganja (Opium)" ...of Devotion, singing songs of Lord Shiva...

__

Shashi

ॐ नमः शिवाय

Om Namah Shivaya

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