Rishikesh Reviews

Food, sight-seeing and shopping
Much against the raised eyebrows of many, me and my husband, barely married six months, decided to go to Rishikesh during Diwali. The thrill of our holiday began when we crossed the Ram Jhula at midnight with the winds howling and the mighty Ganges flowing below. Contrary to its reputation of being a centre for pilgrimage, Rishikesh has much to offer to people of all age groups. We indulged in white water rafting and camped in a tent at Shivpuri. A touch of spirituality was added to our trip when we attended the evening Aarti on the banks of the holy river with young lads and elderly singing in unison with devotion. A group of enthralled Japanese tourists joined the chorus as well. Unlike the usual Diwali with bursting of crackers, we enjoyed it in peace at the serene environs of the Vanaprastha Ashram. All the hotels in Rishikesh serve only vegetarian fare,a famous one being 'Chotiwala', where one can also get to see a rotund man with a small plait (Choti!) from which the hotel derives its name. This hotel serves tasty North Indian as well as Chinese food. Shopping is restricted to small roadside shops along the Ram Jhula which offer stone jewellery, bangles, idols and kurtas.

Activities & things to do
The comforting part of Rishikesh is that it offers activities for both the young and the old! The youth can indulge in white water rafting along the Ganges.Camping by the riverside is offered at Shivpuri.During rafting, at a point where the water is fairly nonturbulent, you can also get off the raft and glide alongside the boat and enjoy the waters. For the more spiritual group, there are discourses on The Gita and Vedas in the numerous ashrams in Rishikesh, where they also provide accomodation. We stayed in the beautiful and serene environs of the Vaanaprastha ashram, which itself inspires us to look within ourselves. The evening Aarti is something not be missed. Hymns and prayers are sung in devotion and unison thanking the heavens for this beautiful Earth and its elements. We returned from the aarti spellbound and immersed in our own reflections about life!

Travel tips, How to reach, travel warnings etc.
Rishikesh is 238 kms north east of Delhi and is located in the Garhwal region of Uttaranchal. It is a pleasant 6 hour road journey from Delhi. It is best to get down at 'Muni ki Reti' and then either cross the Ganges by walking over the Ram jhula or take the ferry which is available from morning till evening 6pm.