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| The Gateway to the Himalayas |
| Amy Ridout winds down in Rishikesh, India |
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Amy Ridout (amyridout)  |
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Published 2007-07-01 16:36 (KST) |
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"Left! Paddle left!" Shouts our rafting guide, eyeing the approaching rapid.
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TODAY'S TOP STORIES |
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FROM THE SECTION |
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| Unfortunately our paddles lie idle against the side of the boat as the rafters gaze at the green hills lining the turquoise Ganges. The sun has made us lazy and the holiday feeling has taken over.
It's another beautiful day in Rishikesh, near the foothills of the Himalayas in Uttarakhand, northern India. The sacred Ganges is clear and clean here and the intermittent sandy beaches are dotted with sunbathers, saddhus and hippies concentrating on their meditative state.
A wide stretch of river bends through the town. Its banks are dotted with temples and retreats. Tourists wander slowly round the souvenir shops and stalls. The atmosphere is peaceful and the vendors smile as you pass.
Made famous to the rest of the world in the sixties when the Beatles met the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Rishikesh has long been a sacred place to Hindus who make the pilgrimage from all over India to dip in the holy Ganges.
Renowned internationally for its yoga and meditation centres, it is believed that meditation in Rishikesh brings devotees closer to salvation. While not every visitor attains this state, it is certainly a good place to unwind after the rigours of travel around the sub-continent.
 |  | |  A procession carrying the Hindu goddess Kali, Rishikesh. | | | ©2007 Amy Ridout | That's not to say that Rishikesh lacks the color and chaos of the rest of India: it's still possible to be swept up by a procession of revellers upon stepping into the street. You may well find yourself dancing on the street or having powder paint thrown at you as part of a mysterious procession that seems to originate from thin air.
The high suspension bridge over the river is the focal point in Lakshman Jhula. Packed with affluent Indian families jostling to have group photos taken, tourists and the ever-present docile cow, it can take all of your newly acquired yogic calm to endure crossing each day to reach the popular German Bakery on the other side. A favourite spot overlooking the river, the bakery is the perfect place to unwind and gaze out upon the tourists and the acrobatic monkeys performing on the cables of the bridge.
A visitor to Rishikesh is not short of things to do. Aside from utilising the many yoga and meditation centres, visitors are attracted to the extraordinary Beatles Ashram, currently closed to the public but still accessible with a small bribe. You could also take a course on palm reading and dazzle your friends with your newfound knowledge of the future. Or take a leaf out of George Harrison's book and learn to play the sitar. For the more active, spend a day rafting or go on an overnight hike into the foothills of the nearby Himalayas.
Ashrams are the accommodation choice for many travellers, whatever your budget there is one to suit. Rooms in these retreats range from the budget (cockroaches in the bed, cold tap to wash with) to comfortable (basic rooms with hot showers) to luxurious. Some ashrams have strict rules such as no meat, no noise, and a 10 p.m. curfew, while others have backpackers running around with fireworks at 5 a.m.
Whatever your motivation for visiting this unique part of India, you will surely leave with a feeling of well being and rejuvenation; perhaps even that little bit closer to the state of enlightenment.
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©2007 OhmyNews
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