RISHIKESH –HARIDWAR TRIP July 13, 2010
Myself, my wife Shakuntala and Shailesh’s parents Shashi and Shobha started for Rishikesh by car on 5th July at 5.30 a.m. It started raining heavily the moment we left the house of Hrishkesh . The journey up to Rishikesh proved very comfortable away from the hot and humid climate of Delhi, mostly because of the continuous rain. Reached Rishkesh at 11.30a.m., checked in at Divine Life Society, had our lunch at the Ashram, and left for Haridwar.
It was not raining anmore and we could conveniently visit Chandi Devi Temple by Cable Car. Could not go to Mansha Devi as the cable car was not operating and it was not easy for us to walk the steep path up to the MendIr. Instead we simply strolled around the Har Ki Pauri area and settled ourselves comfortably to watch the evening Ganga Arati.
One of the most famous and most visited sites of Haridwar, Har ki Pauri is considered as one of its five main holy sites. It is believed to be the sacred place where Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, two great Hindu Gods, appeared in the Vedic era. This place is considered equivalent to the Dashashwamedh Ghat in Banaras, in religious terms. It is also said that Brahma, the Hindu God of Creation, performed a yagna at the Har ki Pauri. The ghat is also said to have the holy footprints of Lord Vishnu.
Har ki pauri is believed to be the exit point of the river Ganges from the mountains and its entry into the plains. A dip in the holy water of the ghat is said to relieve a person of all his sins. The place is surrounded by some ancient and some newly build temples. Throughout the year, religious rituals like 'upanayan' or the initiation ritual, 'mundan' or the head tonsuring ritual, 'asthi visarjan' or immersion of the ashes of the dead and 'shraddha' or prayers appeasing one's ancestors take place here.
Har ki pauri is always crowded with devotees and priests, offering prayers to the Sun God and the holy Ganges. This place is the perfect destination for people deeply in love with religion, philosophy and spiritualism. The auspicious fair of Hindus, the Kumbh mela, is held at Har ki Pauri, after every 3 years. This sacred ghat was built on the bank of Ganges, by King Vikramaditya, in the memory of his brother Bhartrihari. Har ki pauri is famous for Ganga Aarti, a holy ritual of offering prayers to the Ganges.
Ganga Aarti takes place on the ghat in the evening, after sunset. A group of Brahmans hold huge fire bowls in their hands and offer their holy mantras to river Ganges, Shiva - the Hindu God of destruction, Surya - the Sun God and the entire Universe. The devotees then offer flowers and earthen lamps - diyas - to river Ganges, in order to pay due regards to their ancestors in heaven. The scenario at Har ki pauri at the time of Ganga-Aarti is mesmerizing.
After Arat, had our dinner in the famous Chotiwala restaurant and back to Ashram around 9.30 p.pm
We stayed in the Ashram for another three days. Our day started with Meditation in the Samadhi Mandir at 5.30 a.m., Shiva Puja and Arati at Vishwanath Temple between 6 and 7 a.m. . . . Breakfast at 7 a.m. , Chanting of Namo Narayan in Samadhi Mandir from 7.30 to 9 a.m., a little rest or moving around the nearby places like Lakshman Jhoola , Ram Jhoola, Swargashram, Geeta Bhawan, Parmarth Niketan etc. Lunch at 11.30 a.m and then rest upto 3 p.m. followed by tea t 3 p.m. Chanting of Hare Ram Hare Krishna at Bhajan Hall, Bhajans aty Guru Kutir at 5.45 to 6.45 p.m followed by Ganga Arati at 7p.m. , dinner at 7.30 and finally Satsang at Samadhi Mandir from 8 t0 9.30 p.pm
Staying at the Ashram situated on the banks of River Ganga at Shivanandanagar is an experience. The atmoshphere is serene with calm and peace all around. For a while one forgets the chorus of every day life of the cities.
The Divine Life Society is a shining example of the creative aspect of the Divinity within man. It is a remarkable achievement of the Founder, His Holiness Sri Swami Sivananda, who from the year 1936, has built up the wonderful mansion of 'Divine Life' brick by brick, on the firm foundations of purity, integrity, nobility and magnanimity. The ideals of the Society are lofty, most practicable and within the reach of every human being, irrespective of position, caste, colour, country and creed.
The Institution caters to the cultural needs of all ranks of people, to whatever class they may belong. Each one can tap whatever suits him the best according to his stature and intellectual or spiritual attainments.
The holy river Ganga flows by the side of the Ashram, coming down from the icy regions of the Himalayas, carrying with her the message of seers and sages of the past and the present, thus in a way keeping intact the connect.
Returned to Delhi by bus on 9th July.
