The Yoga Capital of the World
In Rishikesh there is no shortage of things to do for the spiritually inclined, and for those into yoga in particular the town in a goldmine. Added to this is the relative quite, the peaceful nature of the people and the surrouunds, and the general atmosphere of love and kindness. The upper end of town, Laxman Jhula, is particularly chilled out, so that's where I'm staying.
In contrst to Haridwar, the Ganges here is deep, slow, and blue-green, and can only be crossed by two footbridges resulting in a big reduction in traffic (and horn honking), though this doesn't stop the motorbikes from using it. The town sits in a valley, the sides of which rise steeply and high. There is no mistaking you are in the Himalayas now, even though the town itself sits at a lowly altitude of less than 1000ft. My hotel, Jaipur Inn, is one of the more expensive ones in town at 650rs, but it has a desk I can write at, a TV, a bathroom with sitdown toilet, a balcony looking onto the Laxman Jhula bridge, and a restaurant upstairs that has amazing views over the Ganges. It's also just accross the bridge from Devraj Bakery, a hangout for Westerners that does great breakfasts (banana porridge again) and excellent pastries. Each morning I grab a table at around 8am and sit drinking chai and eating my porridge while the sun makes its way into the valley. I've met some wonderful people while sitting there, all of whom have been more than willing to talk about their reasons for coming to Rishikesh and the sorts of things they get up to while here.
In contrst to Haridwar, the Ganges here is deep, slow, and blue-green, and can only be crossed by two footbridges resulting in a big reduction in traffic (and horn honking), though this doesn't stop the motorbikes from using it. The town sits in a valley, the sides of which rise steeply and high. There is no mistaking you are in the Himalayas now, even though the town itself sits at a lowly altitude of less than 1000ft. My hotel, Jaipur Inn, is one of the more expensive ones in town at 650rs, but it has a desk I can write at, a TV, a bathroom with sitdown toilet, a balcony looking onto the Laxman Jhula bridge, and a restaurant upstairs that has amazing views over the Ganges. It's also just accross the bridge from Devraj Bakery, a hangout for Westerners that does great breakfasts (banana porridge again) and excellent pastries. Each morning I grab a table at around 8am and sit drinking chai and eating my porridge while the sun makes its way into the valley. I've met some wonderful people while sitting there, all of whom have been more than willing to talk about their reasons for coming to Rishikesh and the sorts of things they get up to while here.
There's something special about this place, this location. I'm not sure whether it's the influence of the clean blue river, the way the katabatic winds set the bells in the temples chiming in the mornings and afternoons, or the milky light that washes through the valley as the sun rises. But I could happily stay here for a while.
Looking towards Laxman Jhula from downstream.
2 comments:
Sounds wonderful and peaceful. Have you done any Yoga?
Unfortunately no, no yoga. I've been too busy working (and I've been sick again).
I am planning to g to some satsang sessions (talks by gurus/teachers) over the weekend though.
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