|
|
Home -» Himalayas to Beaches -»
Rishikesh, A Gateway To The Himalayas Rishikesh, A Gateway To The Himalayas  AN
ADVENTOURS SPIRITUAL JOURNEYLying on the threshold of the Himalayas, Rishikesh is uniquely placed on the plains and the mountains. The town is habited on the both sides of the "Holy River" the Ganges, which is not common downstream. Apart from being important, from religious point of view, this place is also famous for adventure sports like white water rafting and kayaking. There are innumerable waterfalls along, the Badrinath road, making the journey pictureous and beautiful. The water of many rivulets is crystal clear and tempting. Do not be surprised that if you find yourself jumping into every small rivulets along the way. The experience is worth the effort. During summer months when temperatures are on higher side and staying out in the Sun can be a very uncomfortable experience, a dip even if without a holy intent can pacify ones mind and body. There are two suspension bridges built across the river, The Ram Julla and The Laxman Julla. Laxman Julla is smaller in size. The legend has it that Laxman the prince of Ayodhya and the younger brother of Lord Ram had built this bridge with help of his arrows for crossing the river, when they were banished into the forests for 14 years. There used to be a wooden bridge during British times which was subsequently, washed away. Now a new, better and stronger suspension bridge is there. Pedestrians use it to cross the river. Four-wheeled vehicular traffic like cars and jeeps cannot cross the bridges, only two wheelers can cross. For people who have difficulty in walking, there is hand pulled trolleys cross the river. Crossing other than by these bridges is done with motorboat ferry services that runs near Ram Julla, the motorboat service is very regular and there is no waiting time. The boats have a capacity of about 50 people. The fare is Rs.5/- one way and two-way trip is Rs.8/-. The boats operate through out the day till sunset. The river crossing by boat is a unique experience. The flowing river and along its bank are innumerable temples and ashrams. Especially in the evenings, the setting sun casting its magical spell on the silent and ever flowing river. The color of the river appears to changes from green to golden as the setting Sunrays filter through the mountain slopes. The current of the flowing water generates a cool breeze near the bank and one can easily be transformed to another world of spirituality. A person need not be Hindu to appreciate all this; it is Mother Nature at its best. For here is it the everlasting life that is worshipped. People from different walks of life use this ferry service. Infact one can be sitting next to a sadhu (a holy saint) or even a rich industrialist. Everybody having one common aim to get across to their destination. The boat ride is also popular among children as there is fish feed in form of small flour balls available for fishes. The fishes are not easily generally seen, but "a pop" in the flowing water makes one realizes that there is life in this fast flowing river also. The evenings of Rishikesh are something to experience. The whole atmosphere wears a festive look. On both sides there are many Ashrams. There are Parmarth Ashram, Swarg Ashram and Geetha Bhawan, where one can get accommodation ranging from Rs.35/- to Rs.400/-. There are regular Yoga classes held in these ashrams also. On the banks of the river and in front of Pramarth Ashram, everyday an Aarthi (The puja) is done of the river followed by religious songs. A beautiful statue of Lord Shiva on the running waters and songs are sung on the ghat facing it. So engrossing is the music that many people start to dance without any provocations. After the Aarthi in the evening, lighted "diyas" or small fire on a bowl made out of leaves is floated on the river. There are ghats or places where pilgrims can have holy bath in the river. Triveni Ghat is among the famous ghat in Rishikesh. The water is muddy and cold at any time of the year. The water flow on the surface seems to be like a slowly moving river, the under currents are very strong. The Ganga water is considered so holy that many pilgrims carry some amount of the water back with them, as there is a belief that if given to a dying persons, few drops of "Ganga Jal" or water of Ganga helps to attain "Nirwana" and the soul attains "Moksha" meaning the soul would be free the cycle of birth and deaths. Rishikesh is very ancient town. About this place has been mentioned in many of the religious texts of Hindu Mythology. Many saints have come and worshipped on its banks. The place also become famous in the West when pops group the Beatles visited Rishikesh. Since then the place has been on the itinerary of many tourist coming into India from abroad. Yoga classes are extremely popular them the visitors and few days classes in serene environment gives immense peace and harmony. One need not have knowledge to do all this, even for a layman, who is new to all this. Rishikesh has something or the other in store. There are many small eateries in and around Rishikesh and one can get good food at reasonable price, this area is dry and there is no sale of alcohol. Rishikesh is also a base to many pilgrims visiting the holy shrines of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamanotri also known as the "Char Dham". Many Mountaineering expeditions to the interiors Himalayas has to go through Rishikesh. Other places one can visit with Rishikesh as their base are Hardwar, which is 45 minutes drive and is enroute if one is coming form New Delhi. Hardwar is also very important from the religious point of view. Dehradun the capital city of the state of Uttachanl is about hour and half from here. The capital city is also known for many famous schools and institutions of good repute. Many of India premier Institutes like Forest Research Institute, Wildlife Institute of India and one and only Indian Military Academy are located are located in Dehradun. Narender Nagar another very pictureous mountain town is about 1 hours drive from Rishikesh. About 75 km from Rishikesh is Devprayag. This small town is located at the confluence of two Himalayan Rivers, Bhagirati and Alaknanda. Here these two rivers lose their identity and from here onwards they are know just as The Ganga, considered as the holiest of the rivers on the Indian sub continent, by millions of Hindus. Also known as Ganga Maa or Mother Ganga. The catchment area of the are the permanent snow clad Himalayan mountains, downstream this river and its other subsidiaries cultivate the Indo-Gangatic plains. This river is not just a water system; it is deeply imbedded in the culture ethos of Indian psychic.  ADVENTURE
SPORTS White Water Running When the monsoon season is finished and winters starts to approach, then it is the start of the rafting season. But come summers one can witness multitudes of colorful inflated rafts making their way through the white waters. Few kilometers upstream from Rishikesh are Shivpuri and Bhrampuri, here one can, do rafting and other adventure sports. There are innumerable private companies conducting these sports. Bhrampuri, being nearer to Rishikesh and has less rapids to negotiate hence it is cheaper to do rafting from here. Shivpuri is further upstream gives more adrenaline run and quite frankly not really for the weak hearted. The bumpy roller coaster ride on the rapids is something to experience. October to May are generally a good time for rafting, specially period between March to May is even better as it is much warmer and pleasant. There are many beaches along the river where camps are set up with very good food being available. The challenges of starting from upstream are even more as the degree of difficulty in negating the rapids increases. Each participant has to compulsory made to wear life jackets, as there is always a risk of falling into the swirling rapids. Here the sports is practice more for fun then anything else, but for serious guys the entire river upstream has many rapids to test ones "will of steal". The rafts are first inflated. There is always "do and don't" told to each participants before one is allowed onto the raft. The art is to maneuver the raft along the river current and also avoiding the underwater rocks and boulders and in whole process getting an experience of riding the rapids. The Ganges was among first few rivers in India where this sports was started and now rafting is done on many rivers and even as far as on Zankar River in Ladhak region of state of Jammu and Kashmir.  Rock
Climbing and Trekking With few rock climbing areas, just few kilometers from Shivpuri where beginners can learn rock climbing under the watchful eyes of instructors. Mountaineering techniques like natural climbing, Jummaring and Rappelling is taught. Trekking The area between Rishikesh and Shivpuri has many small village tracks, where one can do light trekking. Going along the mountain slopes and gaining height, the Ganges and the Rishikesh town is visible. Rishikesh is the gateway to the inner Himalayas. From here one can travel to Chopta and Gangotri Birding and Wildlife For those interested in birding there are "Jungle Tracks" between Laxman Julla (suspension bridge) and Shivpuri. These tracks are excellent birding areas. One can also easily see Langurs and Recess Monkeys. One thing which is less known about Rishikesh, is that is also a high bird rich area. There is a heavy forested area surrounding Rishikesh, for those interested in birding areas around Rishikesh is rich in bird life. The most common birds seen that can be seen are Purple sunbird Himalayan Bulbul, Red vented bulbul, Common Mynas, Rock Pigeons, Grey Hornbills, Common Perinea, Rose ringed Parakeets to name the few. Big games are not seen but locals do have a story to tell of spotted cats paying visit to many villages located high on the mountains to have a "Dekho". For those interested in wildlife then Rishikesh has also something in store for you. Just one-hour drive with good road condition, one can reach Chilla, in Rajaji National Park, famous for Asiatic elephants. There are options of driving and visiting the park and returning the same day or also of staying for the night. Private vehicles are allowed on the designated route in the park. The entry fee is Rs.40/- per person and Rs.100/- for a vehicle. One can also hire a jeep and it can be done at a cost of Rs.600/- for about two and hour's safari. Elephant Safari is also available but there are just two elephants so getting them is more difficult. This is the place to see rare and endangered birds and animals. Tigers are also there but their number is very few. Rajaji National park is located very close to the world famous Jim Corbett National Park, and there are plans to protect the buffer them the two park so they become one continuous area and that would create a kind of wildlife corridor. If implemented, this corridor would be very beneficial in migration of animals and reducing the chances of inbreeding. The timing to enter in the morning is 07.00am to 10.00 am and evening is from 03.00 pm to 06.00pm. There are Garwal Vikas Mandal Nigam rest houses in Chilla, booking for which can be done from Delhi, Dehradun and Rishikesh. The GVMN rest houses are located next to the barrage and from the complex itself one can do a lot of birding. The other option of staying is the forest rest houses. The booking of which is done only through Uttaranchal Forest Department, Dehradun. Food is easily available and there are some shops just outside the Park. Curiously when asked with one of the shop keepers whether any wildlife comes outside the park, was informed that only recently a heard of wild elephants decided to try soft drinks kept in the fridge. Of course the fridge was smashed! A tigress has also been sighted on the road, but is very rare in comparison to sighting that take place in Jim Corbett or Ranthambhor. Rajaji is smaller with about 600 sq km as compared to Jim Corbett, which is almost double in size. Rajaji NP is more famous for Asiatic elephants but unfortunately is very disturbed forests. There is railway line that cuts through Chilla range. There two major cities on the periphery namely Dehradun and Hardwar. Till quite recently there were "Gujjars" a local community, were staying inside the park. After removing them the wildlife has made come back and this can be judged from better sighting animals. The tiger presence can be seen in form of pugmarks and kills, but actual sighting is very rare and difficult. During rainy seasons the park is closed and only opens around mid November. The best time to visit is during the scorching summer months if one is interested in seeing big games easily. The forests are open and the under growth is not there and most importantly the water is limited. Rishikesh has something for everyone. Over a period of time this place which was just known religiously now has come up being a place where one can easily do Yoga in the morning, then go for white water rafting, followed by birding and trekking, stopping where possible for quick peppy dip in many of the waterfalls, then driving to a wild life sanctuary to be chased out by Asiatic elephants and end your day on the banks of the holiest of the holy river chanting "Hare Krishna, Hare Rama". Book / Send Online Query |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Home | About us | Contact us | Enquiry | Feedback | Indian Wildlife Adventures Specials | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
