Hi Friends,
Om.
I visited Rishikesh 1st time in 2015. Reached to Rishikesh from Haridwar Railway station which is appx.25 kms away.
My family and I stayed at Shivananda Ashram which is one of the best spiritual orgnaization who serves mankind without selfish intent. I visit Rishikesh from time to time, I can say it is a second home of mine. We also stayed at Madhuban, Yoga Niketan Ashram, Swami Samarpan Yoga School.
I usually start walking after morning breakfast in the mountain and visit temples and ashrams.
Venkateshwar Temple, Balaji, temple, Guru Teg Bahadur Museum and Gurudwara, Radhe Krishna Temple, Triveni Sangam, Shivananda ashram, Yoga Niketan Ashram, Paramarth Ashram, Kaali kamliwala baba ashram, Traymbakeshwar temple etc.are worth to visit and spend time.
Many Indians and foreigners visit here for either Yoga courses/retreats or visiting temples or fulfilling their manta/badha/mannat.
Standing on the ram jhula and Laxman Jhula and looking at the mother Gangaji and feeling cold breeze is one of the activity i like the most. Love to attend evening Ganga Arti at any of the ghat. I prefer, Omkaranand or Shivananda ghat. It really reminds us about our culture and tradition.
If you don’t wanna walk then hire two wheeler or a car for full day from near auto stand at Laxman Jhula.
I must admit here that 90% of people visiting there are coming with specific task. Only 10% mass is a spiritual seeker who wanna advance their spiritual treasury.
If you wanna have some sincere spiritual experiences then stay on height which has less noise pollution.
Yoga is a great gift of India to the world, but it has become limited to just Yogasanas and Pranayama what many people believe. Just try to understand real crux of Yoga when you are there.
Many Yoga schools have opened their business houses which has nothing to do with spirituality.
Adding more, dont not harass foreigners what some people do, give them due respect physically and mentally. I advise individual girls travelling in Rishikesh, just use your common sense and do not trust anyone blindly. Just learn and explore the Yoga. I also add, many of the Saints and Rishis are living here a nobel life and are working relentlessly to serve the mankind, so respect them and donate as per your capacity.
Two things must be improved there what i can see. 1. Liqour shop approved by the government must be closed which is not suitable at this divine place and reducing dignity of the place. 2. Many foreigners girls wear shorts and seducing outfits which is alluring attention of the mass. So government must prepare and implement a strict dress code specifically for Rishikesh and other spiritual places to protect the importance of the place irrespective of the income by tourism.
Hope Rishikesh may be the place to uplift your consciousness and guide you towards the ultimate truth.
God bless you always.
Om Tatsat Brahmarpanmastu.
Ronak Patel
Yoga Trainer(A’bad), Writer of Shantisutra-The secret of peace and happiness