YH Apr - May Issue | Page 25

ADVENTURE RAFTING, BUNGEE JUMPING AND MORE Rishikesh is a small town full of wonders.Also called Yoga capital, the Himalayan city amazes you with its mystical caves, white sand beaches dotting the Ganga, and above all, the assembly of true seekers from different corners of the globe.Apart from its Yogic and mystical appeal, Rishikesh is also a delight for adventure lovers being the Gateway to the Greater Himalayas. RIVER GANGA Rafting in the gurgling Ganga is a delight.With deluxe camp facilities available on the banks, outdoor adventure activities like white water rafting, river crossing and trekking are a huge hit here. But the star attraction amongst adventure activities here is Bungee Jumping, Flying Fox, and Giant Swing offered by the adventure company “Jumping Heights” at Mohanchatti (25 km from Rishikesh). The Rafting season starts from the month of March and ends in September, and the season sees a lot of young adventure seekers for Rafting, Kayaking and other Water Activities. WHITE WATER RAFTING THE YOGA CAPITAL A BLISS SEEKER'S FAVORITE Coming back to Yoga - there are numerous Yoga centres here and almost every establishment seems to be popular with international tourists seeking Spirituality, Peace and Enlightenment. Even the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram, known locally as the Beatles Ashram, has opened its doors again! No wonder Rishikesh has a very strong spiritual vibe, and you feel it while walking the street or just sitting by the Ganges.We visited two yoga centres near Laxman Jhoola. It is believed that meditation in Rishikesh brings the human soul closer to attainment of Moksha, as does a dip in the holy river Ganges that flows through the city. The mystical environment gives you the feeling of inner peace, just by being there and breathing in the city! There is just so much to absorb and imbibe here, that just a day can feel like a trip of the lifetime. The city of Rishikesh is surrounded by the very beautiful Himalayan districts of Tehri Garhwal, Pauri Garhwal and Haridwar. Hindu sages, better known as Sadhus, have travelled to Rishikesh from all over the globe since ancient times to meditate in search of higher knowledge, in search of Nirvana. 23