Rishikesh and Haridwar Trip

We left for Haridwar early morning on 12th in our car. We reached Haridwar but found it quite crowded and not fascinating enough to stay. So we continued our journey to Rishikesh. We found a place along the Ganges Bank, at Omkaranand Ghat, near Ram Jhoola, to stay. The view was quite nice and the steps just led to the Ghat and the Ganges which was the most fascinating aspect.

When we reached there and went to the Ghat in the evening, there was a beautiful rainbow in the sky. It was a half circle with the middle part seeming to be partly hidden by the clouds. It lasted for quite some time and I was so fascinated by the view that I took several pictures.

View of the Rainbow beyond Ram Jhoola, 12th Aug.'06

The Ganges water level was quite high and there was no river rafting possible. The water was quite cold, in fact chilling, but still a bath in the Ganges water was quite refreshing.

On 13th, we went to visit the Laxman Jhoola over the Ganges and the Neelkanth Temple, which was quite high on the hills. We took a rented car but the drive up the hills was very enjoyable and with nice view. However, the disappointing part was that the temple premises and inside the tepmple was quite dirty and was not maintained at all.

The clouds and the hills near Neelkanth Temple, Rishikesh 13th Aug.'06

In the evening, we went to the opposide side to see the Aarti (evening prayer) more closely at the temple there. There was a huge crowd that had gathered on the Ghat and people seemed to be immersed in the musical Aarti and prayer.

People Gathered for Aarti in the evening at Rishikesh, 13th Aug.'06

Early morning (before sunrise) view from the Omkaranand Ghat of Ram Jhoola, 15th Aug.'06

Next day, on 14th, we went to Haridwar again in the evening. Haridwar was really crowded at the time of Aarti, but we could not see. We returned back to Rishikesh the same evening. We left from Rishikesh early morning on 15th. I got up early to enjoy the early morning view on the banks and the view was really beautiful. I had seen the sunrise and sunset even a day before but this view before sunrise was simply fascinating.

More pictures of Rishikesh and Haridwar which I have been planning to post but have not done so far. Overall it was a nice change from and good sightseeing.