10 Memorable Activities in Rishikesh You Can Cherish in the Life
Rishikesh is famous pilgrimage town in Uttarakhand state of India. The city is nestled in the lap of the verdant nature of Himalayas on the river bank of mother Ganges. It has been developed as the seat for the study of yoga and spirituality in India. The temple town is dotted with many ashrams and yoga schools in peaceful, pure environment. Spiritual tourism and its contributions for the growth of yoga, recognizes the city as world capital of yoga. A visit to Rishikesh is great opportunity to experience and explore the vibrations of the town. There are many activities you can experience in this mountain city. The following 10 memorable activities in Rishikesh will be cherished for long time in your life.
Yoga in Rishikesh
Learn yoga in Rishikesh. Various yoga schools located in the picturesque locations of the city offer the classes on Hatha yoga for beginners. Yoga is the art and science of healthy living. If you stay for extended time, you can join
Yoga Teacher Training in Rishikesh to deepen your understanding on the principles and practices of yoga. The course curriculum is great tool in your daily life to promote the physical and mental health. The training also helps to develop the teachings skills. There are many career opportunities in yoga. Your passion to learn yoga can result into qualified yoga teacher. The greenery, serenity, and the overwhelming spiritual energy and the quality of the teachings make Rishikesh as the perfect environment to learn yoga in India.
Meditation
Meditation on the River banks of Mother Ganga in Rishikesh is great experience for your mind and soul. You will enjoy the solitude required for the practice of mediation in the serenity of the charming river flow surrounded by the vibrations of the Himalayan Mountains. The vashishta cave nearby Rishikesh is the best place to enjoy the blissful experience of meditation. The hill stations are rich in negative ions. They refresh the mind and recharge the body quickly brining the feelings of relaxation and rejuvenation.
Meditation Retreat in Rishikesh is best opportunity to learn principles and techniques of meditation. It is an effective tool in the stress management. Peace of mind, positive mental health, concentration, enhanced cognitive capacities result as benefits of regular practice of meditation.
Sunrise View
If you are an early morning riser, you can see the beauty of the rising sun behind the mountains in Kunjapuri nearby Rishikesh. The view of the Sunrise in Rishikesh increase the beauty of the divine nature filled with serenity. This is mind refreshing moment, spending few moments to gaze on rising sun improves the concentration, brings the blissful feelings. You can also do few sun salutations to receive the blessings of the sun. Worship of the sun is very old practice from the vedic period. Surya Namaskar is great practice to promote the strength and flexibility. A reflection of the sunrise view on the river is another mesmerizing experience of Rishikesh. You will enjoy the peace, happiness, beauty and grandeur in the morning. The ultraviolet light of rising sun is good for healing and absorbing the daily dose of vitamin D for the optimum health benefits.
A Dip in Ganga
River Ganga is the life line of India from time immemorial. A dip in the river ganga is an ancient spiritual practice across the country. Tourists on their visit to Rishikesh, make it a point to have holy dip in the river. The healing energy of the river is highly valued in the ancient scriptures of hindusim. The Padma purana explains the importance of having dip in river. Spending few moments in the lap of mother ganga recharge you with its divine energy. It is safe to have the bath in designated places which are called as 'ghats' on the river bank. The currents of the river will be rapid, being mindful of your activity is best.
Walk on the Bridges
Ram Jhula and Laxman Jhula are the two suspension bridges built in Rishikesh to cross the river. Walking on these bridges is one of the outdoor activities loved by many tourists. Crossing the bridge either early in the morning or late in the evening gives special experience to connect the divine nature of the river and the mountains. Embrace the cows on the path. The constriction of the steel bridge is the best example of the engineering on the suspension principles. There is beautiful scenic view from both the bridges. There are many shops and restaurants on both the sides of these hanging bridges.
Ashram Visit
Rishikesh is well known place for various ashrams in India. These places are the seats to learn the Vedic heritage, yoga and spirituality. Experiencing the Ashram life inculcates very simple life connected with divine experiences. There are satsanga, mantra chanting sessions . The collective kirtan are also found here in these places. The concept of karma yoga is the base in the ashram life. You can join yoga sessions to learn asana, pranayama and meditation techniques. You can find these teachings during your visit to the ashrams in Rishikesh like Sivanand Ashram, paramarth niketan,swami rama sadhaka gram and dayanand ashram and many more.
Mountain Trek
Trekking on the himlayan mountains near Rishikesh is great joyful excursion. Spending a day in such outdoor activities keeps you healthy and happy. This is an opportunity to feel the connection of the vibrant nature. There are few of the waterfalls on the path of the trek filled with beauty. Trekking in Rishikesh is having most beautiful routes such as Neelakanth Mahadev temple and Kunjapuri temple. It is wonderful activity to reduce the stress and its impacts on our mind and body. Tone up the cardio vascular system. Joining this activity with other like minded participants or people builds strong social bonding and friendship.
Ganga Aarti
Ganga Arati in Rishikesh is daily event during the evening time on the designated banks of the river. This ceremony is confluence of many things in one place. The celebrations are found on the triveni ghat near the city as well as on the ghats of paramarth niketan ashram. The process begins with the chanting of mantra, particularly the glory of the river and its greatness followed by the fire ceremony. The entire experience envelopes a deep sense of harmony and peace at the end of the day. The river is revered as mother , the aarti at the sunset is an expression of the gratitude for the divinity of the great river ganga.
Attend a Satsang
Find some time to attend a Satsang. The company of the wise men is its meaning. Most of the ashrams offer these discourses on philosophy of the life. They play prominent role in finding the answers to the questions and problems of the life. These spiritual discourses are great teachings in modern life to deal with the stress arising out of the conflicts in our emotions. As a person you learn to find the witnessing attitude through the sessions of satsang. There are kirtans,bhajans and mantra chanting during the sessions. These practices are useful in the purification of the mind and emotions.
Rafting
Rishikesh has lot offer for the sportive and adventurous people. River rafting in Rishikesh is enthralling experience. Most of the young people visiting the city, consider rafting as one of the things to do in Rishikesh. This recreational activity brings the fun and enjoyment in the sparkling view of the river. The rafting fun in the group is exciting and exhilarating too. Follow the coach instructions carefully when you engage in this activity for smooth experience.
Traveling to Rishikesh is an easy access. The city is well connected by air, road and railways.