My Solo Journey to the Yoga Capital : Rishikesh

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Photo of My Solo Journey to the Yoga Capital : Rishikesh by Vanshika Rastogi
Day 1
Photo of Ram Jhula, Swarg Ashram, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India by Vanshika Rastogi

DAY 1

There were lot of confusions in my mind. I wished to relax , I wanted to know what is happening inside my mind , I needed some space for contemplation and suddenly I got a whatsapp notification. It was about an Art of Living Level 2 program and I thought to get registered for it.My journey to Rishikesh started the next day.

My parents were worried about me as I was going alone this time and their face depicted a single question, “ Will she be able to manage with all her stuff alone?” I boarded the Roadways bus to Rishikesh with a conviction in my mind, “ Yes, I will manage!”

Tip : If it is your solo trip always keep a “Yes I will do it!” attitude.

The ticket from Meerut to Rishikesh was for 203 bucks.I reached to the Rishikesh bus stand and seeing me all the auto drivers came asking, “ Where you want to go madam?” My anonymity to the location forced me to hire the auto at whatever amount the auto driver was asking me to pay. I asked him to drop me at Ved Niketan Ashram and he asked me to pay 100 bucks for the same. I agreed and he dropped me near the parking area for Ram Jhula and asked me that you have to walk and cover rest of the part.

Tip : If possible ask the local shopkeepers there the fares of the autos to reach the place

Photo of Ved Niketan Dham, Swarg Ashram, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India by Vanshika Rastogi

I was completely boggled up how to reach now? What I am suppose to do next? The Ashram Area is also known as Swarg Ashram Marg and I decided that I won’t use google to reach the place this time. I used the traditional method of asking local people to reach the place. Ashram was around 2-3 km away from the parking and I had to walk with my luggage to the place. I somehow managed to reach there and got comfortable in the allotted room.

Tip : Stay disconnected from the internet and use primitive methods to find the locations

EVEN OLD COINS HAVE VALUE!

Photo of My Solo Journey to the Yoga Capital : Rishikesh by Vanshika Rastogi

Day 2

I woke up at 5 am in the morning next day and I did some yoga and meditation with all the unknown people who also registered for the same program. I went out exploring the streets of Rishikesh.There are a group of temples and ashrams in that road which one can visit. I captured a lot of pictures of the streets of Rishikesh.

Photo of My Solo Journey to the Yoga Capital : Rishikesh by Vanshika Rastogi

Day 3

My journey of self exploration started the next morning. The advance meditation program is about disconnecting yourself from the outer world and knowing more about you. I went out again this time. I observed people, I observed their professions, I saw some tribes, I experienced the peaceful sound of the flowing Ganges.

Photo of My Solo Journey to the Yoga Capital : Rishikesh by Vanshika Rastogi
Photo of My Solo Journey to the Yoga Capital : Rishikesh by Vanshika Rastogi

Day 4

I saw the birds flying high in the sky and I felt free like them.Now, I was a girl who was away from all the materialistic things just exploring myself. Plunging my legs in the Ganges water, all I did was to sit and relax!

Photo of My Solo Journey to the Yoga Capital : Rishikesh by Vanshika Rastogi

Ram Jhula looks mesmerizing during night

Photo of My Solo Journey to the Yoga Capital : Rishikesh by Vanshika Rastogi

Day 5

The course ended next morning and I was supposed to return back to Meerut. This time I was very cautious regarding my expenses. I boarded a sharing auto for 20 bucks this time which dropped me to the bus station.

Journeys are not only about travelling and capturing images, they are beyond that. They are exploring yourself, observing people with different cultures and relaxing your mind!

The local people calls it "Ram fal"

Photo of My Solo Journey to the Yoga Capital : Rishikesh by Vanshika Rastogi

Rudraksh and its varieties !

Photo of My Solo Journey to the Yoga Capital : Rishikesh by Vanshika Rastogi