Ever wondered that at one moment you are sitting alone besides ghats on the banks of river Ganges while enjoying your solitude and at the other moment you are about to jump from 80 mt free fall bringing in all the adrenaline rush through your body, that's Rishikesh for you. It is a place which has got something for everyone.
From being called as "Yoga capital of the world" to being "highest place for bunjee jumping in India", Rishikesh never cease to amuse you. There are numerous ashrams for yoga, meditation, ayurvedic therapy. One can find amazing cafes which provide mouth watering dishes along with surreal view of river Ganga. To all my adventure seekers just drop everything and head towards Rishikesh for one of the best River rafting experiences in India.
I boarded bus from Kashmiri gate on 20th April around 10:15 PM and reached Rishikesh around 5:00 AM (Yudhishthir setu) which was around 5 kms from Zostel, Rishikesh. My booking was from 21st and check in timing was 12:00PM so i slept at Zostel's common room.
Day 1
I hired a scooter (Activa) for Rs 400 per day from them for next few days of my stay in Rishikesh. My first place to explore there was Neergarh waterfall trek.
Around 5 kms from Laxman Jhula towards Rishikesh-Shivpuri road.
Entry fees: Rs 30 per person.
One can trek to the top. In between you will find many tea-maggi stalls.
After coming back to hostel I met Suman who was there for couple of days. One of the finest souls i ever met. We instantly hit together and headed towards Little Buddha Cafe.
Next we went to Trievni Ghat to witness the holy Ganga aarti. Just loose yourself to some calmness here.
Around 12 kms from Laxman Jhula
Day finished off sitting around ghats and back to Zostel.
Day 2
Today was a big day for me. My first ever bunjee jumping. Suman accompanied me to the Bunjee jumping point. I drove all the way to Jumping height zone at Mohan chatti.
Around 17 kms from Laxman Jhula towards Shivpuri road/Lansdowne road.
I guess this is India's highest bunjee jumping point around 83mtrs.
Cost: Entry fees - Rs 100/- person (mandatory for every one)
Bunjee jumping cost: Rs 3550/- per person
Video CD cost : Rs 750/- activity
Website: http://www.jumpinheights.com/
As I jumped, I became numb and when first jerk came I came into my senses and felt that adrenaline rush for the first time and I said to myself that this is the moment where you just got to live with no fear and no worries.
Same day we headed towards Haridwar for evening Ganga aarti at Har Ki Paudi on Activa itself. It took us an hour to reach Haridwar because of traffic jam.
Rishikesh to Haridwar: 20 kms
As soon as I stepped in Har Ki Paudi, all the negative thoughts in my head just vanished. I felt almost cleaned and pure. Positive vibes got me entangled like never before.
Langar at Haridwar serves one of the best "Poori Sabji and Sweet", highly recommended. Ganga aarti at Har Ki Paudi is the best aarti I ever witnessed although couldn't take any snaps because of chaos.
Day 3
It was time to say good bye to one of the amazing person I met, Suman. I dropped her at Auto stand since I was pumped up after my first bunjee jumping, I opted to go for river rafting.
Cost: Rs 600/person for 24kms including cliff jumping.
How to reach: Car came to pick us up from hostel itself and we reached at Shivpuri which was the starting point of rafting.
River rafting and then cliff jumping was more scary for me than bunjee. Being a non swimmer it scared the hell out of me. But thats what life is all about, conquering the fears.
When I came back to Zostel, Shashi (manager) told me to check out freedom ghat. Since I had nothing to do that evening I decided to check that place out. Oh boy! I was surprised to see the vibes over there and initially regretted for being so late to this place. Freedom ghat is just near to freedom cafe from where you can get the best view of Sunset. Music, people smoking, dancing to dhol and what not. I found it to be the most lively and true hippie place in Rishikesh.
If you are in Rishikesh then this place should on top of your list. I haven't seen such a live hippie scene in India before. After spending about 3 hours there I came back to Zostel and spent rest of the time at the terrace.
Day 4
Day started early in the morning around 5:00 AM since we went to Kunjapuri Devi temple for sunrise. I again booked it from hostel.
Cost: Rs 400/person
How to Reach: Around 36kms from Laxman Jhulatowards narendra nagar.
Waiting for the sunrise is not my cup of tea but that day it was worth even my coffee. One of the beautiful sunrise where sun is coming out behind the mountains with some new hope.
Kunjapuri devi temple holds a special place in Hindu mythology. It is believed that chest of burned Sita had fallen here. People often come here for trekking and watching the panoramic view of mountains and sunrise.
After coming back and spending some time in hostel I went to Beatles Ashram in the afternoon. I heard so much about this place that I could not resist myself from visiting this place.
How to Reach: Near Ram Jhula
Cost: Rs 150/person for Indian, R 600/person for foreigners.
Maharshi Mahesh Yogi was one of the finest yoga guru world has ever known who introduced Transcendental Meditation. Beatles came there for yoga and meditation and even wrote few songs there.
One can find some amazing graffiti art and also its a photographers hub.
After spending some couple of hours there as I was heading back to market I saw a tattoo shop which one of the fellow traveler told me a night before at Zostel. All of a sudden I decided to get inked from nowhere. I decided to celebrate my first junpee with Öm tattoo.
Cost: Rs 2000
Evening was again spent at Freedom ghat near freedom cafe.
After coming back to hostel, I met few more travelers, we talked about life, love, played games. Night ended with a random french guy playing guitar.
Day 5
Last morning ended up with a yoga and a bidding good bye to some amazing people Emily, dee, vandana,jenna etc. Oh yes last but not the least I want to share this one particular incidence. While doing payment at the hostel, I forgot my credit card there. I almost came half way down to auto stand when suddenly Shashi (manager at zostel,Rishikesh) came to me and handed me over my credit card. I was astonished to see such an amazing gesture. I was so overwhelmed.
I boarded the bus and came back to Delhi before going to Gwalior.
Surely I am going to miss Rishikesh but I will be visiting there soon.
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