RISHIKESH

(Yoga Capital in the world)

Travelling to Rishikesh is always a delight! And though I have been here several times, this is the first Travel Blog Post I am writing about Rishikesh, primarily because there is just so much to write about and I didn’t think I’d do it complete justice in just one post. There is so much culture, and so much history that I my plans on writing about it, always kept getting delayed.

As everyone knows, Rishikesh is famous as the Hindu Pilgrimage town and is regarded as one of the holiest places in the Hindu Culture. Rishikesh is located in the foothills of the Himalayas in northern India, it is known as The Gateway to the Garhwal Himalayas. It is a part of Uttrakhand, and is around 45 km from Dehradun, the state capital. Rishikesh is also famous as the Yoga Capital of the World.

Laxman Jhoola is one of the most famous attractions of Rishikesh, and it is resplendent! The view from the ghats down below, is just stunning. Walking on the Laxman Jhoola, across the Ganga, is something I absolutely love. It is serene and powerful and oh-so-exhilarating – all at the same time. The Ram Jhoola is also at par and both the Jhoolas (suspension bridges) are always crowded. The two Jhulas are pedestrian-only – though scooters and motorcycles freely use them, and as seen above, even cows.

Coming back to Yoga – there are numerous Yoga centres here and almost every establishment seems to be popular with international tourists seeking Spirituality, Peace and Enlightenment. Even the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram, known locally as the Beatles Ashram, has also opened its doors again! No wonder Rishikesh has a very strong spiritual vibe, and you feel it while walking the street or just sitting by the Ganges.

Rishikesh is also known for White Water Rafting. The Rafting season starts from the month of March and ends in September, and the season sees a lot of young adventure seekers for Rafting, Kayaking and other Water Activities. There are a lot of Rafting camps here, and so are trekking kiosks that take you further into the Himalayas for camping and hikes.

Rishikesh witnesses an influx of tourists who come to try rafting and camping, but plenty of accidents have been reported. Raft flipping, flouting of rules, safety discrepancies and a rising number of illegal rafters are some of the main reasons, and end up taking the sport from adventurous to dangerous.

But there is a need to incorporate stricter safety norms, be it by the government or local rafting bodies to make Rishikesh a safer adventure zone.

For Jumpin Heights, uncompromising quality and safety have always been top priorities and the brand adheres to international standards. The firm has tied up with highly experienced and technically qualified jump masters from New Zealand; they designed the jump platforms and handle safety operations.

An array of tents on the white sands overlooking the gorgeous green Ganga… now I know, what is BREATHTAKING! The set of stairs were utterly dangerous, however the view and the excitement to reach such a beautiful location made us forget all hassles. So, here we were, stepping on the white sands, walking in the sun, greeted by the other group from our office, who had already reached before us. The camp was beautiful, the location was beautiful and the ambiance was even more beautiful, Paradise Unparalleled!