Rishikesh is pilgrims’ cherished spot. Comparatively of low clime, this Himalayan township is indeed the gateway to the massive mountain range. Mythological story with which the Hindus associate the spot with so much nostalgia, reverence and love relates to Lord Rama, their icon for everything good. As the legend has it, Lord Rama, who is an avatar of Sun dynasty and an incarnation of Shri Vishnu of the Satya Yuga, had observed penance at this spot after killing the ferocious demon emperor Ravana at Lanka.
Rishikesh is the first of the ‘Char Dham’ or four holy sites of Lord Shiva – other three being Badrinath, Kedarnath and the twin spots Gangotri and Yamunotri. The word Rishikesh, though literarily means a sage’s (Rishi’s) hair (‘kesh’), in real interpretation of the word infers the place of the master who has conquered over his senses ‘Rishik’ meaning ‘senses’, ‘esh’ means the ‘god’ or the conqueror. The part of the word, ‘esh’ is actually a derivation of ‘eesh’ meaning ‘God’ or ‘the master’ or ‘the best’. –
As is the ecology of river, Rishikesh is the spot where through the Himalayan river, Ganga whom Lord Shiva had released at Chandanwari, flows into the plains making lands fertile and ushering prosperity to teeming trillions of humanity. The river thus is sacred to Indians, worshipped by almost all communities and religious entities in the country, even as it creates pristine ecosystems of so much vegetations still undisclosed. Ayurveda, the vegetative science of human and animal cure, has made a very special identity in the eco-systems at the soil of Rishikesh.
Again, according to the history of evolution, the waters in the river at Rishikesh are home to the world’s one of the rarest of natural fishes which apiece weighs over 60 to 80 kilograms. Here these fishes find their natural habitat, and do not belong to the families either of river shark or marine whales. Killing fishes here is sacrilegious and officially made a punishable offence.
PLACES PILGRIMS MUST VISIT
● Lakshman Jhoola
● Shivananda Jhoola
● Ayurveda and Natural Healing Centres
● Tapovan
● Parmartha Niketan Ashram
● Swargashram
● Geeta Bhavan
●Rishi Kund
● Tara Manjil Temple
● Neelakanthha Mahadeva Temple (about 12 km from Rishikesh at 1700 metres height in the mountain. Devotees are provided free lodging at rest houses which abound here.
FACTS A PILGRIM MUST KNOW
● Distance from Delhi
240 kilometres
● Altitude
About 550 metres.
● Time to visit
All times in the year.
● Places to stay
Luxury Dharmashalas, Hotels, Lodges etc.
Rishikesh is the spot where the Ganga leaves the Shivalik group of mountains in the Himalayan range, before flowing down the plains. Owing to the spots idyllic sylvan beauty, Rishikesh is a chosen spot for ascetics to seek the their yoga or penance.
Indeed the spot is so perfect for advanced yoga practices, that it has earned the reputation as the Yoga Capital of the world already. In perfect unison of mind and body, heart and soul, the ascetic Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs and Jains call it a place for attaining Moksha (salvation of soul). No wonder, the spot would be dotted all over by Ashrams, hermits, hubs, huts and even community prayer cum shelter homes.
There are umpteen numbers of ghats on the Ganga, all named after various ascetics who have been doing their tapasya for decades and died. The most popular ceremony at Rishikesh is the Ganga Aarati performed in the morning and in the evening for which affluent devouts submit regular donations. The collection is used for throwing community feasts for the sadhus, beggars, and others whoever are interested, besides meeting the expenses of the temples. The government help at Rishikesh is selective and much less than other places, where the government maintains the shrines and also allows donations pour in.
Rishikesh is also home to traditional Vedanta studies. An eminent exponent Maharshi Mahesh Yogi is a celebrated name in the studies who was visited many international celebrities like Beatles friends of different faiths. Among the famous were Mike Love of The Beach Boyts, Donovan and Gyp Mills, Kate Winslet of ‘Titanic’ fame. For all these foreign celebrities the Yoga was the main draw, while asceticism, which the mundane materialist British termed as ‘a type of slow suicide’, was the subject of study. There are many institutions set up to study traditional Indian Yoga, Philosophy and other religious sadhanas.
HOW TO VISIT THERE
By Plane
● The nearest air strip is at Jolly Grant Airport, at about 15 kms from Rishikesh at Dehradun A peaceful airstrip servicing two to three commercial flights everyday during summer. Odd weather flights are conditioned.
By Train
● Haridwar to Rishikesh : Quiet short distance railways up the hgill. Highly sylvan and scenic.
● About 13 km at Haridwar, there is a sprawling railway station well connected to the entire country.
By Bus
● Regular Services both by Uttarakhand state government and Delhi Transport Corporation.
● State and private buses regularly ferry passengers everyday. There is a sprawling Bus terminus, where the buses are sheltered at odd hours.
● Taxi and auto services are also available for local transits. Taxis come from and go to all parts of north India to and fro Rishikesh.
