Travel Stop: Haridwar+Rishikesh

After canceling a lot of other plans, insisting my college teachers to take my tests later, filing some false doctor reports for postponing the exam dates, insisting my parents, I finally packed my bags to take a plunge and go wild into the beauty of Rishikesh and Haridwar.

Drenched in water and holding onto the iron ropes on the bank of holy River Ganga as I pitched up in the air, I realized that the most important part of the trip was in front of me. I felt like I was small again in front of this fast running river. I was finally in Haridwar.

I took one more dip, stayed there and realized that I am more than 1000 possibilities of nature. I can be me and I can be us. I realized that my perspective was changing and I was building myself in those seconds. When I came back up, I saw that everyone was silent like me and absorbing the nature and its calm. Peacefully they stood as I watched them again to realize something. I think they are correct when they say that all our sins drain away in Holy River Ganga.

FACT – Haridwar is one of the four sites of Kumbh Mela, the others being Prayag (Allahabad), Trimbak (Nashik) and Ujjain.

We came out satisfied and then we all walked silently. Before we could feel more hallucinated, some smell entered my nostrils and I realized I was hungry. As I proceeded forward, I was confused by the number of dishes they offered for breakfast. Kachori, Puri, Potato Curry, Sweets, Chole, Bhature, Chana. I tried everything and always found it difficult to move away without hopping one more plate. Haridwar turned out to be little disappointment for some of my Non-Vegetarian friends. It offers only vegetarian food.

After breakfast and changing our clothes, we made our way to Rishikesh on our traveler Van. I think our driver was more excited than us.

The air of Rishikesh felt way more different than Haridwar. We took a halt in middle. The site was mesmerizing. Cool Air, Deserted Forests, Aged Leaves. From behind a hill, another mountain peeked and invited me to explore it. Like my lost love, how could I not listen to it? Willy-nilly, my experiences said I was going to enjoy this time. I inhaled every bit of nature. Yes, I was craving for it.

The campsite was difficult to figure but reaching there was worth of all the effort. We asked the site owner about the tourist spots and he told us some. Given his kindness, he also gave us a rough map. Let me remind you that Google Maps doesn’t work at such places because of internet connectivity if that is the first thing that clicked your head. 😛

I always make an outlined list of all the tourist spots of the city I am visiting. But the soul of the place can be discovered by talking to strangers, localites, travel enthusiasts. You will find that some waterfall will be missing, some sunset will be missing, some stories will be missing and discovering and knowing these things will not only complete your tour but will also fill you with a desire to come back.  

Looking at untouched, unseen, ways of lives a thought comes rushing to me. To settle there. What would I need?

Clothes – I have.
Food – I can cook.
Money – I can learn rafting or work in this camp itself.

The plan was ready but my insecurity overpowered me as a friend called me for lunch. I should say that the soft chapatis and organic vegetable mouth watered my taste buds even before tasting it.

It was going to be my first experience with camping. I wanted to forget everything. We went to a nearby fall. After trekking and bathed in moisture and sweat we reached the Neer waterfall.  For a moment, I stopped. Said WOW and bumped onto it. Cold. Cold. Cold, it was.

FACT – According to Hindu mythological tale, this is the place where Lord Shiva drank the venom out of the ‘Sagar Manthan’ (churning of the ocean) in order to save humanity. He swallowed the venom compassionately which he restrained to reach his stomach thus, making his throat blue.

After coming out I realized I should have worn shorts and synthetic clothes. Although we were a lot dirty, the essence of tea was felt best at that moment. I must say that Maggi is affecting and reaching more places than phone signals. In the mountains, we ate Maggi and drank tea in a small hut shop.

While camping – guitarists, singer, dancers came out. A lot of talent is actually hidden. There is an umpteen number of things on which we can work on instead of just lazing our butts off. Observation is the key. The first step to learning anything is Admiring. Then follows Imitating, Improvising, and Creating. I learnt this from a friend. People are learning to make this world a better place and this is helping us to grow together.

Next day, we went for River Rafting. Certain Camping Packages include River Rafting and Bungee Jumping. Take advantage of these. There he taught us some techniques to row the water. Just to spice up things, the guide used to tilt the boat at safe places and we used to shout at him. Literally, chills ran down our spines as the boat left its base and flew up in the air while facing obstacles. Cramps could be felt as we maneuvered the boat with our sticks.

With our Life Jackets on, we landed our feet in the water. It was enthralling to go down and feel powerful in the water. We took a lot of pictures and made a lot of videos. River Rafting is not just an adventure, it is Team Work. You cooperate, you sweat, you win.

Later, we explored local Temples, purchased some gifts, went to an Ashram and headed back to our homes. I ticked some items off my bucket list like Camping, Hiking, River Rafting. There I made some plans of settling in woods. I can pursue them later.

While leaving the place only these lines come to my mind as –

“I remember 2 days before,
How I was eagerly waiting
To come to this place.
And now as I have touched its soul,
It is not letting me go.”

IS IT SAFE FOR GIRLS?

Yes, being a pilgrimage destination, Rishikesh is quite safe to travel. Local people are humble and they make sure that tourists are safe and sound.

POINTS TO TAKE HOME –

1. Pilgrims in search of  Peace – Haridwar.
2. Pilgrims in search of relaxations – Rishikesh.
3. Must Do – Bungee Jumping, River Rafting.
4. Beware of Rhesus Monkeys in Haridwar
5. Rishikesh is the Yoga Capital of the World

2-DAY TRIP-

• [Approx Rs 5000]
• [Best time to Travel – February, March, August-October]
• HARIDWAR

1. Har Ki Pauri
2. Mansa Devi temple
3. Bhimgoda

• RISHIKESH

1. Rafting
2. Camping
3. Bunjee Jumping
4. Neer Waterfall
5. Laxman Jhula
6. Ram Jhula