So with an abrupt plan we moved towards the YOGA capital of the RISHIKESH but just like any other young fun-seeking group we barely sat in silence and rather went on a café hopping spree.
A weekend approached us with open arms and we jumped in without a thought. We left Noida Sec 62 Bus Stop late in the night around 11:00 PM in a very comfortable and luxurious NEObus which is BTW electric i.e. Silent. The bus stopped at a very nice restaurant Name in between name I do not remember but because I have a vey hungry friends they jumped out and unlike most people they ate Dosa, Poha and Paratha all without a thought of bus travel so eat light. As crazy as they are I still enjoy the nonchalant attitude they bring to such trips. Late in the night we reached the nepali market.
Reaching Tapovan at 3:30 in the night is chaotic no popular places that provide accommodation are open unless you had prior bookings. Roaming on the roads we found a decent stay for the cheap cost of 1500 a day. We went in and slept after a little shit talking each other. Woke up at 8 and went out to rent out a Scooty which is the national transport of Rishikesh, got it fueled and we left for a "holy dip in GANGA".
And as I told nothing holy happens when you are in a group with friends we had gone for HOLY DIP but we actually swam and enjoyed like it was a swimming pool with strong flow. Post swimming hunger strike us when we get out of the river so we move towards our first café.
Dehydrated our first order was this lovely 'Lemon Nana', chilled lemony minty freshness in a glass. The décor of the place was inviting and the seating was comfortable we ordered a lot of things to eat some that i remember are Shakshuka, Shivani's special salad, Thukpa, Shivani's special pizza, Toscana pasta etc all for the price of 2070. Though toscana pasta was not for us we had to give it back.
Coming out with a full belly we went towards a beauty that resides next to Tapovan The PATNA falls magnanimous, true nature at its best, it is the dripping of water on the lush green mountain that has created this effect of umbrella by the algae. no words can make a proper explanation of the sight.
On our way back we went directly to see the Ganga Aarti on the Triveni ghaat and it was lovely spiritually enticing. After such a experience the next thing was to go for some nice food and hence we moved towards the next café.
Imagine you are in somebody's drawing room chilling next to a table with good décor and ambiance where the host is also treating you with a smile. That vibe my friends was in this sweet restaurant called bistro nirvana. We hopped in on a very cozy sitting arrangement and ordered pho and manchow soup that we devoured and in the main course we ordered roti, Pahadi Mutton and Paneer Do Pyaaza coz there is always one "I cant eat Non-Veg" guys.
We left for our stay and dozed off in preparations to wake up early to go rafting in the morning.
Rafting was an exhilarating experience and enjoyed ever second of it. After coming back we changed and went towards our third café.
Dying of the effort we put in to raft we stepped into our next haven this café. It was exactly as one would imagine quite, serene, Ganga-view and tasty food. we sat for about 2 hours and people were happy with us that is the most amazing thing coz one would think we were hoarding the table for so long. Also the food was delicious. We ordered multiple dishes starting with the coffee then moving on to the Greek salad, Momo, Thai Green Curry, Mexican Nacho, Kung Pao Mushroom and a few that I do not remember because of the food coma that I got.
Post the eating ritual we went to the Maharishi Maheshyogi's Ashram also known as the Beatles Ashram and I believe that was the place that put us hyperactive souls to some peace we roamed around that place and even sat for some time to find solace. It was calming and a necessary experience.
The rain started pouring and we still had some time to stay in the city so we found shelter in the fourth café of our visit.
This small café on the first floor of the market next to the Parmarth Niketan ghaat gave us just what we wanted a roof to cover our head and fresh fruits to relish our urges. We played multiple games of chess and ordered cold pressed juices along with a bowl of fruits and nuts salad.
Now the time had come to take blessings of Lord Shiva at the Parmarth Niketan and leave back to Noida but how is it possible to not munch at a café that was just infront of our ride back home.
Taste of Punjab
We got about half an hour to go so we went in and ordered paneer mushroom tandoori not knowing what will be served and WOW it was amazing grated paneer mixed with spices filled in the space between two bundled up button mushrooms OMG.
I will surely remember the --> Taste of Rishikesh
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