Rishikesh Holy place in Uttarakhand

On 16th Nov 2021 we checked out Hotel Ganga Azure, Haridwar at 12 noon, had lunch at nearby hotel, visited Swami Vivekananda Park and started at 2PM for Rishikesh (distance 29 km) and reached at 3PM. We were finding stay in any Ashram but as there is Yoga festival so till 20th Nov there was no vacancy. When we enquired at Gita Bhawan they told that there is no vacancy but we requested and told that we are also from Gita Pariwar, done online classes of Gita Adhyay, then they allotted 2 rooms to us but with no geyser and no beds but with kitchen platforms. We checked in Gita Bhawan for 7 days. When you stay in Gita Bhawan there are some rules. You can't eat garlic, onion, can't consume alcohol, tobacco and other such things and you have to attend early morning Aarti and satsang.

After some time of check in we went on Ganga Ghat and then attended Ganga Aarti at Parmarth Niketan which was a great devotional experience. Next day I get up early morning at 4 and attended Aarti at Gita Bhawan then went for morning walk at Ramzhula and continued same during my stay in Gita Bhawan. Also attended daily evening Ganga Aarti at Parmarth Niketan. Daily morning after breakfast we used to go on beach for 1-2 hours. My daughter like to play in sand over there.

On 17th November 21, we bought grocery from Gita Bhawan Grocery store, tea, milk from shop at Parmarth Niketan and vegetables from a nearby stall. As we have Induction Cook top, we cooked our meal for 7 days in Gita Bhawan.

On 19th November 21 I took a bike on rent from Parmarth Niketan shop at Rs 500/- and went with my wife to Neelkanth Mahadev Temple which is at a distance 27 km from Gita Bhawan and 32 km from Rishikesh, in the Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand.

Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Neelkanth, an aspect of Lord Shiva and is a popular Hindu pilgrimage site. The deity is in the form of Shivling. The temple architecture is influenced by the Dravidian style. It is surrounded by dense forests and is adjacent to the mountain ranges of Nar-Narayan. It is enveloped between the valleys of Manikoot, Brahmakoot and Vishnukoot and is located at the confluence of the rivers Pankaja and Madhumati. The temple complex also has a natural spring where devotees usually take a holy bath before entering the premises.[while returning we attended Ganga Aarti at Laxman Zhula. Next day on 20th Nov my Mom and Dad went to Neelkanth Mahadev Temple by rental bike. And on 21st again me and my wife went to Tehri Lake by bike, it is about 75 km from Rishikesh, on the way and at the lake we experienced a beautiful nature. On 22nd we requested to extend our stay till 1st Dec 21 at the Gita Bhawan office and they granted. Then we took gas stove and cylinder with some utensils from Gita Bhawan store and started to cook food just like home. At Gita Bhawan they don't charge for rooms, it's absolutely free, only we have to put deposit per room Rs. 1000/- and for gas cylinder they took money whatever used by you. During our stay at Gita Bhawan we explored Ramzhula, Laxman Zhula, Janaki Jhula, Bhutnath Temple, Triveni ghat, Ganga Ghat, went for satsang at Parmarth Niketan, Iskcon temple, Neelkanth Mahadev Temple and many more places and found very peaceful and blessed as we stayed at the bank of holy river Ganga for 15 days. Feeled very calm, fresh and away from all tensions. Lakshman Jhula is an iron suspension bridge over the holy river Ganga at Rishikesh. A famous landmark of Rishikesh, is 450 feet length connecting Pauri district with Tehri district. Lakshman Jhula also offers a panoramic view of river Ganga and Rishikesh city. Temples located near Laxman Zhula are Tryambkeshwar, Laxman, Saccha Akhileswar Mahadev and Raghunath ji temple. Ram Zhula is also iron suspension bridge which connects Tehri Garhwal district and Pauri Garhwal district. There are many ashrams and religious centers established at both sides of the Ganges.[Ram Zhula is a connecting bridge between Shivanand Ashram located in Muni ki Reti to Gita Bhawan, Parmarth Niketan and other ashrams located in Swargashram road. Though similar in design, this bridge is bigger than Laxman Zhula which is 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) upwards the river stream. This bridge is constructed with the span of 750 feet. On 28th November 21 our President Shri Ramnathji Kovind came at Parmarth Niketan. On 28th we had lunch at Gita Bhawan Bhojanalaya only at Rs.50/- per plate. Though it is without onion, garlic and spices, simple but was very tasty food. On 29th November 21 we went for River Rafting at Rs. 350/- per person. They took us 12 km away from Ramzhula to Brahmpuri by their jeep. And from Brahmpuri we have to come by boat. Experience of Rafting is ok ok.. not thrilling as we had thought. On 1st December we had lunch at Gita Bhojanalaya and checked out Gita Bhawan at 1 PM but had to wait till 2 PM to handover the room keys as office is closed 1-2PM. We donated Rs. 2100/- at Gita Bhawan and started for Champa, Garhwal Home Stay, on the way we purchased snacks, grocery, vegetables and reached by 5 PM.