Amid the Shivalik Ranges of Uttarakhand sets Rishikesh, a city of beliefs and believers, where ‘Ganga Maya ki Jai’ is chanted before rafting. The trail to tranquillity lies on the Ganga ghats and every Ganga-aarti takes you a little closer to God. Verdant of an oasis as far as the eyes can see, Rishikesh is the epitome of euphoria on earth.
Albeit an abode of culture, the adventure was a bit tangy this time, some unseen trails were discovered and some unsung trails of a bygone era were heard. So this weekend was dedicated to laughter, adventures and exploring.
Coming to Rishikesh is not an extreme assignment. You can come via road, air or by rail and by any chance, if you are coming by bus, direct buses from Delhi to Rishikesh are available from the Kashmere gate bus station. There’s so much about this place that a single blog won’t do justice to that.
I started my journey at 6 in the morning from Kashmere gate, although there was a bit of drizzle in the morning- but who cares whether it is a storm or rain. It’s RISHIKESH amigos!!
After 6 hours of journey, all that my eyes could see were the craggy Shivalik ranges which environed the majestic Rishikesh. Endowed with The holy Ganga, The Sadhus and Yogis, The Choti Wala and The Hindu Mythology, Rishikesh has so much to absorb and imbibe that even a weekend will feel like a lifetime.
There is a range of Hotels in Rishikesh, but staying in a camp beside the gushing Ganga is all I needed to jam pack this trip with fun and adventure. Set atop the hillock the terrace luxury camp is an enchanting place to rejuvenate your soul and mind. Loaded with a kaleidoscopic view of hilly terrains, tranquillity in the blubbering Ganga, bliss, and flora all around the valley comes alive till where the eyes can see.
The first day was all about wandering in the streets and sitting by the ghats. Every street, every corner, and Sadhu sitting here has something to reveal, something to tell you about the people who come from distant places. And while looking for these unheard stories I came across this Little Buddha Cafe famous for its pasta, bland nachos and picturesque view of mystical Ganga, you can spend hours in peace here. The next stop was Triveni Ghat which mostly remains crowded with the pilgrims and is an auspicious place for the locals as well as for the tourists.
Rishikesh is renowned for many things and one of them is 81-year-old Laxman Jhula. The view of the ghats down below is stunning and the bridge itself is serene and oh-so-alluring, that I almost spent a sunset here. The Ram Jhula is also at the par and to add, both the Jhulas are pedestrian walkways although you can still spot a few scooters and bikes here.
Though the second day didn’t include much sightseeing, the day was full of adventure. So I decided to try my hands on 16km White Water River Rafting- I swear it is an extreme bliss and worth trying. With every paddle and every rapid, the adrenaline rush became even faster. And if you are more of an adventure enthusiast you can also try Kayaking.
Endowed with vibrant ecstasy and scenic beauty, Rishikesh is full of life and energy. As believed, meditation and a dip in the holy water at this place brings the human soul closer to the attainment of Moksha.
So this is Rishikesh through my eyes, an Incredible place of #IncredibleIndia. Come and explore, maybe you might find something worth writing for.
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