My memory of a place i visited in my childhood

Rishikesh, India, a place i visited when i was about 11 years old, but the experience was over whelming and unforgetable for me..... here's an account..



We were on our way back home from the Himalayas. We were visiting places of worship called Kedarnath and Badrinath in the state of Uttarakhand in India. By the time we came down the foothills of Himalayas we realized it would not be safe driving back home in the night and decided to spend the night in Rishikesh, also to stay near the river line and enjoy the scenic beauty. Luckily my grand father had known an ashram’s Guru from some of his earlier visits and we could find an easy accommodation there. I can’t memorize the names but I can never forget the place. It left such an impact on me; I mean the ambience was completely over whelming. The sound of ripples made by Ganga River flowing right next to the ashram and the sweet odour prevailing in the air was refreshing. We were allotted as to what were the VIP accomodations and I must say the rooms were extremely luxurious. We had all the services handy which made the stay more enjoyable as compared to our stay up in the Himalayas which was more of a challenge in the chilly cold. I remember going on a calm and silent walk along the periphery of the ashram which ran parallel to River Ganga and there was a cliff right in front. So you could get this extreme contrast between a still cliff and an ever moving Ganga right in front of you which just added to the experience. Also you could help yourself up to the mango tree if you wanted. I mean for whatever time I spent there, it just evoked a sense of freedom in me. The following day we decided to spend in the ashram, because we were just mesmerized by the place. I spent the entire day at the river bank playing with water, and observing the ripples. Water has this strange ability to completely entangle my thoughts and hypnotize me. And sitting there I could feel the passion taking over me. I could notice the ripples in water, its movement, its flow, I mean everything. It was like that perfect day in life where I had the option to go my way and do whatever i wanted with all the freedom and I chose, to sit and gaze the view in front of my eyes, so beautiful in my opinion such that the adventure could not come to an end for me. i found the peace in myself sitting right there, just feeling the place. Then came in my family and cousins and splash!!!!! Next I find myself in water and posing stupid. But that was another experience.

I can go on and on about this. Even after years I can imagine the exact scene in my eyes and I hope to cherish this memory forever.

Thank you!!!

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Keep smiling!!!
swati