I had heard a lot about Rishikesh from my friends who happened to visit India. A lot of talk about its scenic splendour, some amazing pictures- both still and moving- infused in me a desire to make a visit to this place at the earliest. So, when I came to India on an official mission I grabbed the first opportunity to visit this gateway to Himalayas.

I was bowled over by Rishikesh at the very first sight. I was beguiled by the sight of the river Ganges rushing through the Himalayan foothills. I found hordes of pilgrims coming to the temples that dot the banks of the Ganga. With the fragrance of incense sticks burning everywhere and people chanting prayers, the whole air was filled with an aura of devotion.

I crossed the Ganges to reach Tapovan which houses a temple dedicated to Lakshmana of the Indian epic The Ramayanas. According to popular belief, Lakshmana carried out penances here. It is also the place where his brother Bharata is believed to have meditated and there is a temple dedicated to him too. I came across a number of yoga and meditation centres which are always packed with people seeking solace. The environs is certainly the perfect place for undertaking yoga and transcendental meditation. How much I wanted to visit one of those yoga centres! Just because of the paucity of time I had to limit myself to sight seeing.

I also paid visits to the Swargashram and the Geeta Bhavan temples. The visits to Lakshman Jhula, a 450 feet long suspension bridge built in 1939, and the newer bridge Ram Jhula were quite enthralling.

Offering of puffed rice to the fishes in the Ganges was another fabulous experience. The Nilkanth Mahadeo temple, 12 kms away, at a height of about 5000 feet, offered a breath taking view of the region.

The fresh air, bosky hills, sound of water rippling down the mountains and the chime of temple bells all adds up to make this trip a lifetime experience. I will certainly regret my inability to attend a few classes on yoga and meditation in its scenic splendour.