Rishikesh, this small city on the foothills of Himalaya with the Ganga floating through it and dividing the city in two, was where I spent my second week in India. It is often said to be the world capital of yoga, it’s quite amazing how many yoga schools and ashram this little place has.
In the market I stocked up on mala beads, books on Ayurveda and yoga, cd’s with mantras and ayurvedic herbs – all the things you need to start a new yogic lifestyle!
I read the paper every morning following the common wealth games in Delhi as well as the gossip about Bollywood movie stars and other important stuff.
Shiva was gazing out over river Ganga near Ram Jhula bridge.
The wall next to my hotel was like a constantly changing piece of art. I think I took one picture every day of this wall.
BFF’s.
Environmentally friendly transportation. No cars were allowed in this part of town.
Lunch in the shade of a tree. The colorful crowds of the many pilgrims were making the city so beautiful.
Every night I went down to the river, to the famous Parmarth Niketan Ashram. This sculpture sits on its gate.
There I listened to the young boys of the ashram that were singing devotional songs and chants accompanied by harmonium and tabla.
I squeezed in among the indian ladies…
… and watched the sun set and turn the river into gold. If only words could describe this moment of the day. Peaceful feels to weak of a word.
Then as we left the river ghats as we took the blessings in the golden light of the oil lamps.
My days looked all the same, funnily enough I did more writing than yoga in this city. The peaceful atmosphere gave me tons of inspiration so before lunchtime I had already got my work done for the day. It is a place I think I will return to many times.
