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Exploring The Temples Around Rishikesh, A Spiritual Journey

There’s a lot more to Rishikesh other than adventure activities, and that is, the legendary temples and renowned yoga schools. Rishikesh is home to numerous old temples and the following is the list of a few ancient temples along with their history and stories associated.  

1. Neelkanth Mahadev Temple:

Neelkanth Mahadev temple is dedicated to lord Shiva and is one of the most revered Hindu sites. This temple is situated about 7km. from Swarga Ashram in the PauriGarhwal region. According to the Hindu mythology, it was this place, where lord Shiva consumed the poison that appeared after the ‘AmritManthan’ that turned his throat blue. Hence, the name NeelkanthMahadev. 

2. Triambakeshwar Temple (Tera Manzil Temple):

This temple is also known as the Tera Manzila Mandir as it has 13 stories and is situated on the banks of the Ganges. This temple is also dedicated to lord Shiva and its main feature is that it could be seen from the Lakshman Jhula. Apart from its phenomenal architecture, it offers a wonderful view from the top story.

3. Shri Bharat Mandir:

This temple was founded in the 12th century by Adhiguru Shankaracharya and it has a very beautifully carved statue of lord Vishnu from the stone Saligram. Inside the canopy of the temple is where the Shree Yantra lies. The architecture of the temple is extremely detailed in the record of Kearkhand. The present structure was rebuilt after the original one was destroyed by Taimur.  

4. Kunjapuri Temple:

This temple is considered one of the Shakti Peeths and is dedicated to the first wife of lord Shiva, Sati. It is believed that the chest part of Mata Sati had fallen here at this location as lord Shiva carried her corpse across the universe.  

5. Raghunath Temple:

Raghunath Temple is a very sacred place for Hindus as this is the place where the famous Ganga Aarti takes place every evening. The deities worshipped here are primarily Ram and Sita and this temple is closely located to the sacred pond of Rishikund.

6. Hanuman Mandir:

The Hanuman Mandir is also one of the famous temples around here and Tuesdays are busy at this temple with numerous rituals and offerings that take place. Not to forget that the key highlight is the Ganga Aarti that is conducted here. 

7. ShatrughnaMandir:

This temple was founded by Adi Shankaracharya and is dedicated to the younger brother of lord Ram, Shatrughna. This temple is located in the Ram Jhula and is of great historical significance.

8. Bhootnath Mandir

This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is surrounded by Rajaji National Park from 3 sides and the Ganges from the other. It is believed that lord Shiva rested here on the journey to marry Mata Sati. This temple is located at an elevation hence providing a breathtaking view of the city.  

9. Lakshman Temple:

This temple holds significance from the legend of Ramayana, as it is believed that it is this place where both Ram and Lakshman attained enlightenment. Some numerous ancient sculptures and paintings adorn the temple. 

10. Swarg Ashram Temple:

This temple is located alongside the Ganges and is a 3 story temple that provides an absolutely stunning view of the valley. This is also one of the favourite tourist spots as it offers a sense of peace and serenity.

11. Parmarth Niketan:

This is the largest aashram of Rishikesh has more than 1000 rooms and provides a spiritually captivating environment for people all across the globe who visit the city. The daily activities of the ashram include yoga sessions, hatha yoga, vinyasa etc..it’s the best place to be for someone who seeks holistic experience.   

These shrines and their stories contribute to the richness of the culture and spirituality of Rishikesh, attracting tourists across the globe to explore their greatness and find solace in the sacred landscape. These temples not only are a haven for the spiritual seekers but also portray the roots of tradition and legends of Rishikesh.   

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Exploring Rishikesh; The Yoga Capital Of The World

Rishikesh is mostly known as the center for yoga and meditation across the globe and this reputation is well deserved by the city. The beautiful landscape has been utilized perfectly by the practitioners for yoga and meditation and even during the day, finding a yoga centre or an ashram is a very easy task as there are numerous of them scattered all over the town.  

These ashrams are renowned for the facilities and lifestyles that they offer to the visitors. However, some of them even offer a luxurious stay. The growing awareness of yoga and meditation across the world has started to attract a good number of tourists and locals who want a natural retreat to Rishikesh. 

Some of the institutions are:

1. Yoga Niketan:

This yoga centre attracts a lot of visitors from all over the world and was established in the year 1964 by Swami Yogeshwaran and Paramhansa. The teachings at this institute are connected to the 8 aspects of yoga which the students are expected to stick to strictly. This place offers brilliant teaching facilities and accommodations that make it one of the best places for practising yoga in Rishikesh.   

2. Parmarth Niketan:

Parmarth Niketan is the leading yoga centre in Rishikesh that provides the ideal environment for those individuals to seek to align their mind, soul and body.  Founded in 1942, it’s situated near the Ganga river and it draws a huge number of visitors every year, especially during International Yoga Day in March. 

3. Patanjali International Yoga Foundation:

This is an NPO that aims to spread the wisdom of yoga and Veda, and its principles, all around the world. It is tucked in the Himalayan region and it offers a variety of yoga teachers courses and Ayurveda retreats too. 

4. Rishikesh YogPeeth – Yoga Training School in Rishikesh India:

Rishikesh YogPeeth was established in the year 2005 and it offers a unique opportunity to dive into the world of yoga away from the city life, near Patna village. This school offers numerous yoga teachers, yoga retreats and training courses. 

5. Sivananda Ashram:

This Ashram stands as one of the topmost yoga centres in Rishikesh, founded by Swami Sivananda in the year 1936, and this Ashram aims at the core aspects of yoga like the asanas, breathing control, mind relaxation techniques etc. This school is officially certified and is highly regarded for its quality and discipline. Since they are mostly all occupied, the enthusiasts are requested to book their reservations in advance.  

It’s been a while since the Western world started to acknowledge the need and importance of yoga and meditation in daily life, but it’s pivotal to understand that this Hindu discipline transcends just physical postures. But, with its unique collaboration with spiritual enlightenment, techniques and natural surroundings, Rishikesh is the best place where you can accomplish your physical and mental health and take up a transformative path towards self-awareness and wellness. 

The connection of yoga to spirituality goes back to the days of legends scriptures and ancient writings. There is a lot of Ramayana mythology linked with this region and the reference can be seen in the Vedas and the Upanishads further solidifying its role as a spiritual hub for the visitors. 

Currently, Rishikesh is the host for a lot of retreats and Ashrams that attracts a lot of visitors. Be it the traditional Hatha Yoga and Ashtanga or the Vinyasa and Kundalini, all the levels of practitioners are welcomed here with open arms.   

The meditation options in Rishikesh are plenty and provide ample opportunities to connect with one’s self and start a new spiritual journey from within.

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River Rafting In Rishikesh; A thrilling Guide For The Adventure Seekers

Tucked away in the foothills of the Himalayas, Rishikesh is a small town that is well known for its serene views and of course the thrilling and adrenaline-pumping river rafting experiences. The holy Ganges offer a different aspect of the trill blended with its purity that is just a haven for enthusiasts. With every splash, the Ganges brings you another level of excitement. But before we go any deeper into the Ganges, let’s take a look at a few measures that are essential and will help while you lay out the plan for rafting trips in Rishikesh.   

The typical season for rafting in Rishikesh is post-monsoon but during December and January, the chilled weather makes your experience less fun. So the best time to plan your trip is from September to November and February to June, it’s the time when the weather is pleasant. 

River Rapids:

Rapids are the fast-flowing and turbulent sections of the river. The Ganges run up to a length of nearly 2.5km. consists of rapids that are classified into 5 different categories. The first 3 rapids are the most common and people who are not good swimmers are suitable for the first 3 rapids but not for the last 2. 

Grade I Rapids: These rapids are the easiest to deal with and have mild water currents and a minimal amount of risk associated.  

Grade II Rapids: The grade ll rapids are where the rocks and other obstacles are clearly separated so the rafters can have a clear way.

Grade III Rapids: This grade here now requires professional guidance and is slightly more difficult than the first two. 

Grade IV Rapids: This grade now is known for the thrill that it has to offer and these rapid can be tricky while the waves use all their power to capsize the rafts. 

Grade V Rapids: This is the last of the rapids in Rishikesh and can be quite hazardous. Only the experienced experts can get their way through this without toppling. 

Fortunately, Rishikesh does not have any further rapids that are considered to be extremely tricky and dangerous even for the experienced. 

Rafting Options:

Rishikesh has a variety of options to offer that are suitable for all ages and levels of experience. Let’s see what all options they have-

1. Brahmapuri to Rishikesh 

This stretch is mild in nature and is fitted for those who have issues facing water adventure sports. It takes about one and a half hours to complete this trail and is about 9km. long. The key rapids are body surfing, sweet sixteen, Hilton & terminator, and Double Trouble. It’s the best option for beginners to get an experience of white water rafting without facing a lot of thrills. 

2. Shivpuri to Rishikesh 

This stretch is 16km. from Shivpuri to Rishikesh and has an intermediate level of difficulty that makes is fit for adventurous rafters this takes about 3.5 hours to complete including the rapids ll and lll like a roller coaster, return to sender and golf course. This offers a perfect blend of fun and thrill as it’s not overly challenging and can be enjoyed fairly. 

3. Marine Drive to Rishikesh

Just like the Shivpuri stretch, this is also an intermediate level of difficulty. This offers 14 rapids of the grade III that follow up on each other making it exhilarating. After the rapids, there is a long stretch of relatively calm rafting that allows you give relax and enjoy. The key rapids include the black money, crossfire and three blind mice, this stretch is 24km. long and takes about 4.5 hours to complete. 

4. Kaudiyala to Rishikesh 

This is strictly for the experts and experienced as it offers grueling and demanding adventure. The wall of rapids on this route is one of the most challenging and breathtaking rapids around the globe. This is 34 km. long and takes about 8 hours to complete. This stretch tests your strength and determination and not to forget, your rafting skills. The major rapids here are the wall and Daniel’s dip, which features grade ll, lV and V. 

At last, we can conclude by saying that river rafting is a thrilling and adventurous sport that caters to all levels of rafters. With all the beautiful scenery and the exciting challenges, it no doubt that Rishikesh has become the hub of all adventure seekers. So it doesn’t matter if you are a beginner or an expert, this place is just right for you. It offers you the opportunity to make memories that will stay with for a lifetime.