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Rishikesh – place where mystics hang out

When we arrived to ‪‎Rishikesh‬, at the backpackers’ community around the Lakshman Jhula bridge, we were pretty surprised and could not believe that this is an Indian town. Before we had spent a week in ‪Varanasi‬, which made us think that ‪India‬ is a very beautiful and amazing place, but could be pretty dirty.

But Rishikesh appeared to be a place that is very taken care of, hidden in nature, at the foothills of the Himalayas, where an absolutely clean and fast-flowing Ganga starts its way.

View StayGypsy post on Rishikesh here

Ganga view

Waterfalls in Rishikesh

View over Rishikesh from LIttle Budha cafe

Sunset in Rishikesh

Sheela Mohan Palace guest house in Rishikesh, India

Common area in Sheela Mohan Palace guest house

Spanish breakfast in “Ganga view” cafe

View of the West bank from East bank

Fast-flowing Ganga

Iconic Lakshman Jhula bridge

Fast-flowing Ganga in misty Rishikesh

Micael is testing Spanish breakfast in “Ganga view” cafe

French girl Vasilisa bathing with a dog

Breakfast at “Holy Palace” cafe

A cow and the road

Anna in the street of Rishikesh

Anna is strolling in Rishikesh

Anna with Indian friends

Ashram in Rishikesh

Rishikesh residential streets

Statue details

A Ghat in Rishikesh

French girl Vasilisa, we met in Rishikesh

French girl Vasilisa bathing with a dog, we met in Rishikesh

View over Ganga and Ghats

Old man in RIshikesh

Local houses in Rishikesh

Meditation tree

Yoga in Rishikesh

Wall art in Rishikesh

Monkey family in Rishikesh

Panoramic view Lakshman Jhula bridge in Rishikesh

Panoramic view Lakshman Jhula bridge

Anna and the Ganges

Well-known Little Buddha cafe in Rishikesh

The Wedding Cake Temple in Rishikesh

Anna ringing bells in Rishikesh

Rishikesh landmark – Lakshman Jhula bridge

Ganga view in “Chill out cafe”

Backstreets of Rishikesh

Monkey playing around the Ganges

Fast-flowing energetic stream of the Ganges

Meditation cells in Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s Ashram in Rishikesh

Anna exploring Meditation cells in Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s Ashram in Rishikesh

Legendary Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s Ashram in Rishikesh

Meditation cells in the forest of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s Ashram

Rishikesh Ghats – the best place for contemplation

Local girls enjoying the beaches in Rishikesh

White sand beach in Rishikesh

Amazing view of Ganga in Rishikesh

Rafting in Rishikesh

Cool experience is rafting in Rishikesh

Anna enjoying Ganga view

Camping is a very popular activity in RIshikesh

Anna on the way from waterfalls to Rishikesh

View StayGypsy post on Rishikesh here

Sacred ‪Varanasi

Varanasi‬ was the first ‪Indian‬ city we visited and it left a very strong impression on us. It is one of the world’s oldest inhabited cities: the most colorful, chaotic and holiest place in ‪‎India‬. You can be sure that it will not leave you indifferent, either you like it or not. The best way to explore Varanasi would be a stroll through the Old city’s narrow streets and a walk along its eminent Ghats (the long stretch of steps leading down to the water).

Assi Ghat, travelling Varanasi, India — Assi – my favourite Ghat

The eighty Ghats, situated along the sacred ‪Ganges‬, are particularly photogenic during the sunrise. Take a boat ride around 5 am to see Varanasi at its best. There is no need for preliminary bookings, you just need to arrive to one of the Ghats early in the morning and pick up a boat rider you like. There are plenty of them around, offering rides for one to three hours. We got a ride for three people during 1,5 hours (including the stop on the other margin of the river) for about 300 RP.

The boat ride is the best way to observe the life of local people, performing traditional morning Puja and doing their laundry. Varanasi is entirely located on the West bank of the Ganges, where the sunset is set, and the sunrise is happening on the opposite side, creating an incredible magical morning light, that gradually covers the city. You will see plenty of ancient temples and unique Hindu-style buildings built along the river.

The river Ganges, traveling in Varanasi, India — Sacred Ganga

Ganga is considered to be a sacred river in Indian culture. Many pilgrims flock to Varanasi to take a bath in the holy waters of the Ganges: they believe that taking a bath (at least once in the lifetime) in the Ganges will wash away the sins and help achieving Moksha (freedom from the cycle of death and rebirth).

They say that at the Ghats you can see “life and death together”. There are a few burning Ghats, where you can see bodies being cremated in public. If you go there, be prepared for some strong experiences.

We were very proud to be let into the ‪Golden Temple‬, situated in the Old city of Varanasi, as usually non-Hindus are not allowed to get in. You should also try, as long as you don’t practice any other religion. It is the most important place for worship in Hindu religion.

Another thing to see is Aarti ceremony, one of the most important events in Varanasi, an unforgettable experience, involving a lot of light, fire, candles, smoke and smells from the burning of special incenses and torches. Aarti takes place every evening at Dashashwamedh Ghat, the main and one of the most spectacular ghat in Varanasi. You will find it close to Vishwanath Temple and the Jantar Mantar observatory.

Varanasi is a very special place…