Adventure, yoga and spiritualism – if any of these resonates with you, then Rishikesh is where you must be! Experience the unconventional and become a fine-tuned yogi at the same time right in the birthplace of yoga! This sought-after destination lets you enjoy the thrill of adventure, the joy of nature and the spiritual vibes in one go. So add it on to your bucket list and grab yourself a yogic vacation not to be missed.
What Rishikesh has in store for the yogi traveller
The serene valley of Rishikesh spells out purity, chastity and sacredness in every nook and corner right from the moment you step into this sacred soil of India. Being in the foothills, you can see and feel the towering Himalayas as though communicating with you! You can also bond with the holy Mother Ganges and take her blessings with you. You can travel back to time as you explore the world famous ‘ Beatles’ Ashram.’ Or you can simply stay with the present as you hang out at a local cafe or two and meet and bond with a community of similar individuals from diverse backgrounds visiting this ‘yoga capital of the world,’ for a common purpose.
A story to tell
The subject of yoga belongs to the ancient era and is said to be as old as above 5000 years. The popularity of yoga in the West increased during the late 19th centuries.
The birthplace of yoga -Rishikesh with its yoga-oriented background , has a story to tell every yogi who visits here, about how the subject of yoga originated, how it evolved and who developed it and spread the teachings of this art to the world. It thus has a unique reason of its own that lures so many from beyond the borders who are even willing to cross seven seas to visit this amazing yogic destination just in the quest for yogic knowledge. The town is power-packed with highly competent and experienced yoga education providers such as Yog Niketan, Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Rishikul Yogshala, Sivananda Ashram, and Himalayan Yoga Association. So finding a quality yoga school here is not a big deal.
Rishikesh – an adventure to look forward to
Apart from yoga, adventure sports such as river rafting, camping, bungee jumping, cliff jumping, hot air ballooning, Giant Swing , Flying Fox, paragliding etc top the charts when it comes to the ‘to do’ list of activities for the adventure lovers.
In addition, for those who want to embrace peace and solace, here are 5 things to do in Rishikesh:
1. A must-visit to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram or more popularly known ‘Beatles Ashram.’ Though this ashram has been abandoned today, visitors are welcome. What really sparks interest about this ashram is the fact that it had been once upon a time the abode of the Beatles! Back in the year 1968, this legendary music group visited Rishikesh to gain an enlightenment on Transcendental Meditation. This visit is a must when it comes to one of the 5 things to do in Rishikesh.
2. A divine visit to Triveni Ghat. Meditating by a river bank presents the perfect picture when we often think of the topic of meditation. A quiet evening walk by the river bank enjoying the sunset is yet another perfect picture that comes to the mind when we long for a relaxing break. One such popular river bank that lies parallel to the holy Ganges is Triveni Ghat. There is an ongoing belief that at the time of sunset, a dip in this ghat is all that it takes to cleanse the soul and feel relieved from deep within. The ‘Ganga Aarti’ is yet another unforgettable experience to revel in as part of the 5 things to do in Rishikesh.
3. The holy dip . Among the 5 things to do in Rishikesh, a special reference to a dip in the pristine waters of the holy Ganges is worth the act as it is said to wash away all sins and thus obtain purification of the soul from within. Besides, the Ganges also offers rafting opportunities to the adventurous ones. So it holds utmost worth in the eyes of yogis, spirituals as well as travellers.
4. Enjoy the waterfall experience. The Neer Garh Waterfall zone which is just in the proximity, is a popular pick in Rishikesh for picnic lovers and also for hiking. The cool and refreshing vibes surrounding this zone and also the greenery around set just the right mood for relaxation and being with nature and in the present moment. Thus this is absolutely worth among the 5 things to do in Rishikesh.
5. Yoga course in Rishikesh India. One of the best of the 5 things to do in Rishikesh includes joining a yoga course from Himalayan Yoga Ashram – an institute of repute, experience and expertise in the field of yogic sciences. Founded by a young and enterprising yogi Himanshu Joshi, more than seven years ago, this yoga center has seen its trials and tribulations ever since and has paved its position among the top tier yoga institutions imparting the authentic and traditional yogic wisdom to students on both the national and international front. Yoga teacher training courses on 200 hour, 300 hour, and 500 hour, certified by Yoga Alliance, are what you will find here and you can accordingly select the respective course program as per your level wherein you may just be a beginner, or not so but at an intermediate or advanced level. Although you have a wide choice to opt for any other yoga center also due to the availability of several yoga education providers in this yoga destination, this yoga school in particular is a good idea to join as it lets you be a part of not only an academically oriented program but an enjoyable experience as well!
The experience offered to students at this yoga school comes in the form of enjoying ashram life and ambience, trying out ayurvedic diet, taking some classes too on ayurvedic cooking, taking other classes like music Bollywood dance classes, participating in kirtan nights, outings organised by the school, and more such engagements that contribute to productivity and also make the entire course more vibrant, more inviting. Their curriculum goes by the standards prescribed by Yoga Alliance International with asanas, yoga philosophy, anatomy, and teaching methodology as some of the significant topics.
