Rishikesh
EXPLORE Kunjapuri Devi Temple
DO evening aarti at Parmarth Niketan
STAY Seventh Heaven Inn
christina
Ahhh Rishikesh. It feels like a huge breath of fresh air to be in the North and in the foothills of the Himalayas. We are so lucky to have found the most perfect guesthouse to base ourselves at while we explore the region - the Seventh Heaven Inn. While the accommodations are lovely, what we are most grateful for are the people that run the place and those we have met there. This hotel is the real Marigold Hotel - full of wonderful and spirit-full people that have all descended on this magical and holy city. We are particularly grateful for the kind and wonderful spirit of little Piya, who is the innkeepers' daughter and who stole our hearts throughout the trip.
Rishikesh is a place of Hindu pilgrimage and has also been recently given the name of Yoga Capital of the World because of its popularity with yoga practitioners from the West. It is said that meditating in Rishikesh can bring you closer to moksha, or liberation, and that the same goes for taking a dip in the sacred Ganges River that flows through here. There are many meditation and yoga teachers that come through during high season but right now it’s low season since it’s winter – and to be honest, it’s great how uncrowded and cozy it feels here right now. I hope that we can come back another time when it’s all happening but what has been wonderful is the connection to the land and to the river that I feel. It’s very comforting and soothing and has been such a respite after the touring around that we’ve been doing.
I was so honored to have my birthday here especially because it’s January 14 or Makar Sankranti, which is a Hindu holy day that symbolizes the end of winter and the beginning of longer sunny days. It is also a very auspicious day to bathe in the Ganges in order to give thanks to the Sun and to cleanse yourself. We did just that – along with Piya, our guide - even though it is January and the water is cold! Piya was a great reminder to honor and cherish my inner child with joy and levity – what a birthday gift! It was such a rush and a blessing to bathe in this sacred river and to be there with Julio and Piya. Actually, it turns out that every 12 years the Kumbh Mela, which is a huge Hindu pilgrimage at the confluence of 2 rivers happens near here in accordance with this date. I hope we can work this into our next trip to India.
It was such a warm welcome back at the hotel after our swim, where Julio, Charlotte & Kallam (the innkeepers) had organized a wonderful birthday party for me. So sweet that it all brought tears to my eyes and reminded me of what a wonderful year I’m having and how blessed we really are to be living in this dream. Rishikesh is such a magical and energetic place and the people it attracts bring a whole new dimension to this mix of seekers and locals looking for spirit. Can’t wait to go back.
