A JOURNEY TO THE DEVBHOMI

Apr 16, 2020 10:21:43 AM

Northern part of India has a significant presence of holistic, historic and adventurous environment.  Haridwar and Rishikesh is a perfect example for its holy places, history & adventure in Uttaranchal.

Haridwar is an ancient city and important Hindu pilgrimage site in North India. The city is situated on the right bank of the Ganga River at the foothills of the Shivalik ranges. It is an entry point of Char Dham( four main centers of pilgrimage in Uttarakhand i.e Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri & Yamunotri) The place witness the most significant event that is Kumbha Mela, which is celebrated every 12 years in Haridwar.

Rishikesh is also an ancient city. It is also located in the Himalayan Foothills beside the Ganga River. The city is now famous as a center for studying yoga, meditation, temples and ashrams. It is considered as the yoga capital of world. Yoga festival is also celebrated here. It is also famous for adventures activities. Rishikesh is also known as gateway to the Char Dham.

Let me start writing my small memories of Journey to this holistic land. My trip to Rishikesh begin by train in Haridwar Express. On arrival I checked in hotel and in evening I witnessed Spiritual Ganga aarti which is held during sunset time every day in Haridwar near ganga river on Har Ki Pauri. The place was fully crowed with devotees who had come from many different states of India and I was among them from Mumbai. As sun started to set aarti stared and all devotees were saying aarti, some of them loudly & some of them in their mind’s (Har Har Ganga-Jai Har Ganga). After Ganga aarti I took some water of Holistic Ganga River in a small plastic utensil. The place also has religious shopping area where I shopped and ate local sweet potato which was very nice. One can also do fish feeding over there in gang river so I did it and then returned back to hotel.

On next day I checked out from hotel and proceed towards Rishikesh which was just 20-25 mins from Haridwar by vehicle. On arrival I checked in hotel and then visited some important temple in Rishikesh like- Laxman Temple which is the only temple in world which is dedicated to Lord laxman from Ramayan. Then I visited Ram Zullha &  Laxman Zullha which are the 2 bridges on Ganga river on which one can cross river and can go on other side. Both bridges has its own importance in the history. One can cross river by bridge & also by boat which costs Approx- 40rs.  After crossing river I visited other temples in Rishikesh like- Babaji Neem Kreli Mandir, Trayambakeshwar Temple, Bharat mandir, Geeta Bhawan mandir. After darshan I had my lunch in Choti Wala Restaurant which is very famous in Rishikesh. Food over there was very nice and worth, unique thing in the restaurant was the Live Pandit which was sitting at the entrance of the hotel and was entertaining the passing crowd. The most unique in the hotel is sweet Lassi which is offered as a desert after having food,and cost just Rs 2 only. Later in the evening I attended aarti in Rishikesh and then returned back to hotel.

Today was the most unforgettable part of my life happened, I did the world famous White Water River Rafting on river Ganga which was 19kms water rafting. It was really a tremendous adventure for me. An authorized guide will be there in the raft and he will brief how to ride, do’s and don’ts. We were all equipped with the safety jackets and helmets.  When rafting got started and there were many waves and slowly force started increasing.  Water was very deep & cold I was getting scared of falling down. When we were getting close to finishing point raft came in normal speed. Raft guide advised us you can swim in water or you can get down of raft in the water.  Then rafting session got finished and I went to hotel and checked out from hotel and went to Haridwar railway station for return train to Mumbai.

Its was my best memorable Tour to Haridwar & Rishikesh, which now also I recollect the memories and cherish.