Rishikesh Rocks

Sorry for not posting before... been sooo busy and no computer access for a few days. I can't begin to try and express everything that has gone on so far. Our trip to Rishikesh yesterday was phenomenal. We left Haridwar around 3pm and drove on our 'deluxe bus' for an hour or so. Martha led us on a chant when we arrived.. Om Namah Shivaya. it was magical. We then were wisked away from the bus staition in rickshaws to the less crowded area. We managed to get 11 people in ours. Winter, Cora, Jane, Amity, Kelly, Martha, Bob, Pete, Harry 'Poter' (one of our guides) and 2 drivers. We then began our own pilgramage to the temple for the evening ganga aarti. It was a beautiful walk with shop lined streets. seemed to have more internet cafes here, wider streets than the bazaar our hotel in Haridwar. We walked over one of the pedestrian bridges to the other side of the Ganges River (WOW) in time to catch a spectacular sunset over the river. It was the first sunset I have seen in India due to the overcast weather. The sun had illuminated the trees and hillside into a beautiful array of autumn colors.. in February. I'll try and post pics later. There were many more westerners here... most likely from the many ashrams in the city. We arrived just in time as the aarti was begining. It was an energetic ceremony Led my this womans spectacular voice that just rang out over the river (ok, amplifiers helpd), tabla and other musical instruments--The younger boys in the group of people (a school perhaps?) were all so so talented. They had such passion in their voices. The ceremony was over all too quickly. India had given us all prayer shawls from Haridwar with Lord Shiva on them. Cora and I manuvered our way to the all powerful Mother Ganges over a man made damn under construction which took some dexterity in the feet (no shoes in the temple, so we were barefoot). I held my shawl in my hands, made a prayer and let my shawl flow in the river. Her waters filling every open space in the fabric of my shawl. I washed my hands and face in the river and tucked my now very blessed shawl back in it's bag for the journey home. What an amazing experience It is really difficult to try and express.

Our minds had been spiritually replenished and now it was time to replenish the stomachs mmmmmm mmm we stopped at restaurant Chotiwala (i think) for tea and snacks. my first garlic naan mmmm so good samosas and other treats. we were fully satisfied and ready for our journey back to the bus and to our hotel in Haridwar.

This experience was really only about 6 hours in the day.... so if you can imagine experiences like this happening ALL DAY... that is what our trip has been like. I hope other will write about our experiences here in Haridwar... there have been some really touching ones health and happiness to all ~kelly