A Place to Discover Yourself. Review on Rishikesh

Rishikeshnested in the foothills of the Himalayas is one of the most beautiful places one must visit in India. One of the few places where you can discover yourself spiritually through yoga or undertake a river rafting expedition on the Ganga, or just walk around the town taking in the numerous temples dotting every nook and corner.

The Ganga, The Gangesor ''Ganga Maiyya''( the mother river)is what pervades the consciousness of this town in Uttaranchal.Rishikesh is one of the best spots to see the Ganga, for this is where the mighty river leaves the mountains to enter the plains. The sight of the river flowing down and cutting across the massive gorges is just awesome.

I remember the first time I went to Rishikesh, it was my first sight of Ganga. I had woken up early morning and gone to the Lakshman Jhoola. It was sunrise and as I stood on the bridge gazing at the mighty river flowing majestically through the mountains, and under my feet,I was just transfixed. Surrounded by the towering hills and the river flowing, one feels lost completely. Rishikesh is not located in the Himalayas, rather it starts at the foothills called as Shivalik ranges which are the inner Himalayas.

In fact most of the Himalayan hill stations are located in the inner Himalayas. Rishikesh is again divided amongst 2 districts, one side of the river is Tehri Garhwal and the other side is Pauri Garhwal. Rishikesh is the yoga capital of the world and you can find many phirangs there talking a walk around town and comming here for spiritual enlightenement.

Legend

There are many legends associated with Rishikesh. One is that God appeared as an answer to the severe penance performed by Raibhya Rishi and hence the name. Another legend is that Ram,Lakshman,Bharat and Shatrughan performed penance here to atone for the killing of Ravan.In fact this is the only place in India, where you would find a separate temple dedicated to the other 3 brothers. Legend says that the spot where Lakshman Jhoola stands is where Lakshman crossed the river on a jute rope and hence the name. Another legend holds that this is the area where Lord Shiva swallowed the deadly poison which came out during the churning of the ocean.

What to See

Bharata Temple

Dedicated to Lord Vishnu,this is one of the oldest temples in the town. This temple was believed to have been constructed by Bharat, one of Ram's brothers. This has a black statue of Vishnu, and was consecrated by Adi Shankaracharya. The idol of Vishnu is carved out of a single Saligrama.

Lakshman Jhoola

This is the most visible and prominent feature of Rishikesh. It is a must visit for the awesome view of the Ganga which you get from here. The sight of the Ganges cutting through the hills and taking a bend is one for the eyes. One can stand for hours just to watch the sight and enjoy the cool breeze from the river. Heavy vehicles are not allowed on this, but two wheelers do go across. This is actually a hanging bridge with pylon supports and was built in 1939 by two Agarwal brothers from Rajasthan. The other suspended iron bridge is Ram Jhula which was built recently and connects the Swargashram area with the Sivananda Ashrama. You can see the fish from the Ram Jhula and feed them too.

Swarga Ashrama

This is the hangout place for many in Rishikesh with the numerous Ashrams and temples dotting the area. Legend has it that Ram and his 3 brothers performed penance at this place and hence the name.It is also a favorite haunt of tourists and visitors with many shops and eating joints. Most of the shops sell you the famous navaratna mala( a necklace of 9 precious stones) and the very rare one face Rudraksh.

To the uninformed Rudraksh is a set of beads made from the plant of the same name. It gets it's name from Rudra(Shiva) and Aksh(tear) meaning '' The Tear of Lord Shiva''. Rudraksha malas are supposed to be having powerful effects on the wearer and its an integral part of Hindu culture. While there are different varieties of Rudraksh, Rishikesh is famous for the one faced Rudraksh which is the most powerful of all as its a symbolic representation of Lord Shiva's 3rd eye which is the symbol of unlimited power. Do be careful with the shops,many are quite a rip off.

Thankfully Rishikesh doesnt have the nosy, aggresive shopkeepers associated with other places. And while on eating out, dont miss the Chotiwalarestaurant, it has a great variety of vegetarian food at affordable prices.

Triveni Ghat

This is the main Ghat of Rishikesh and a must see for the evening Aarti performed here daily. So called as it is believed to be the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati, this is the spot where the Ganga takes a completely right turn and is considered one of the holiest places where you can take a dip in the Ganga. To those who want to take a dip in the Ganga,be very careful, the currents are very strong and the water is freezing cold.

If you are not alert enough,you could find yourself swept away also. And the best is the Gangarati. As the sun sets, bells,gongs,conches rise to a crescendo and holy chants fill the air.Devotees float tiny lamps on leaves out into the river and the sight of thousands of lamps floating down the river with the bright color of the sunset makes it an ethereal experience. Even if you are not much into religious stuff, watch it just for the wonderful experience it offers. No where in the world can you behold such a wonderful sight except in India.

Nilkanth Mahadeo Temple

Located about 12 kms from Rishikesh at a height of 1675 m above sea level on a hill overlooking the Swarg Ashram, this is one of the most important Saivite temples in India. Legend has it that this is the spot wher Lord Shiva drank the poison which came out during the Amrit Manthan( the churning of the Ocean). Due to this, the Lord's throat turned into blue, hence the name Neela kantha( the one with the blue throat). One can take a long trek up the hill, and you do often come across monkeys and even elephants also.The view of the Himalayas from here is just breathtaking and on a clear day, you could even see some of the famous Himalayan peaks of Uttaranchal.

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