Rishikesh - A 'Must-Visit' Spiritual Tourist Locale in India

chillibreeze writer — Canta Dudlaney

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The name Rishikesh stems from the Sanskrit word ‘Rishi’, meaning sage or seer. Stories about ancient India describe Rishikesh as the abode of the Gods. Surrounded by the towering Himalayas it is a beautiful town with a rich history which dates back to The Ramayana - one of the holy scriptures of the Hindu religion.

About Rishikesh
Rishikesh is located 245 km from the capital of Delhi and 43km from Dehradun -another beautiful getaway – at an altitude of 365m above the sea level. The best time of the year to visit is either between February and April or September and October. If winter is your thing, you could also consider visiting between November and January.

In order to reach Rishikesh, you first need to get to Delhi. You can either take an air-conditioned train (6 hours) to Hardwar and from there a 20 minute drive by a three-wheeler to Rishikesh or travel by road on an air-conditioned buses (7 hours). The small city of Rishikesh is dotted with beautiful temples, ashrams (extremely economic accommodation), sacred sites, and treks to Mount Kailasha (revered mountain dedicated to Lord Shiva). Plenty of accommodation is available for cheap pretty much round the year.

The Swami Rama Ashram
You must visit the ‘Swami Rama Ashram’ started by Swami Rama, a holy sage, decades ago. This is not an ashram in the conventional sense but an academic institution where you will find students from around the world studying yoga and the holy scriptures of India. The institute is now managed by Swami Ved Bharati (disciple of Swami Rama) and offers excellent facilities to the students who make it their home during the course of their studies. You can either stay there (prior information needs to be given to the keepers of the Ashram) in quaint cottages with all modern amenities. Following a regimen is a prerequisite of the place so prepare to wake up early, attend meditation sessions at 5.30 am, and so on. A rich breakfast at 6.30 am with tea can keep the pangs of hunger away for the rest of the day. It’s all on the house but courtesy demands that you pay the nominal charges while leaving the place.

Things to see in Rishikesh
Two sturdy bridges called the ‘Ram Jhoola’ and ‘Lakshman Jhoola’ under which flows the ‘Ganges’ are unforgettable experiences. The bridges are named with reverence to the heroes of the Ramayana – Lord Rama and his brother Lakshman. Walking across these bridges to the other side makes for a very interesting experience as your companions are monkeys. You’ll also come across local photographers who will try to swindle you of some money for a few promising photographs of yours against the backdrop. They are best avoided. Local shops selling merchandise like woolen shawls, caps, coats and religious trinkets (Rudraksh beads) will tempt you to empty your pockets.

In addition to the Swami Rama Institute another place worth visiting is the ‘Swami Shivananda’ ashram (The Divine Life Society) which the revered Swami Shivananda established to support lepers. You must wake up early in the mornings and experience the sunlight filtering through the thin mist, see the peaks of the Himalayas come to light and the cool breeze kiss your face. Prayers are held in the early hours of the morning and at dusk. The tireless ringing of bells makes for a wondrous sound which further adds to the purity of the ambience.

Yoga and religion
For those into the study of religion and yoga, meditation Rishikesh is an ideal travel destination. The International yoga week, which takes place every year between the 2nd and 7th of February has become an occasion for people from around the world to gather at Rishikesh. Adventure seekers have a lot to choose from e.g. trekking, water rafting on the waters of the holy Ganges, boat rides, paddle boating, mountaineering , ropeway rides, and much more.

For all sporting activities, one will need to access the web for all details regarding the details as it makes the experience and travel all the more organized and comfortable. Tourists are seen here almost throughout the year with foreigners wearing ochre robes, cycling, walking, enjoying the local tea, taking in as much as they can. That is Rishikesh for you. Once you experience the flavors of Rishikesh, you go back again and again, to soak in its peaceful and intriguing ambience.

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Chillibreeze's disclaimer: This is a contributed article and was published on Chillibreeze in January, 2011. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the views of Chillibreeze as a company. Chillibreeze has a strict anti-plagiarism policy. Please contact us to report any copyright issues related to this article. The relevance of the facts and figures cited (if any) could change after a period of time.

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