By the Ganges 3

Continued from "By the Ganges, Haridwar/Rishikesh"




I 've visited and seen Lakshman Jhula, Ram Jhula and many religious Hindu temples nearby those areas in Rishikesh with family as we were supposed to remain grounded ,or Earthly with those Pilgrim cum fun holidays. I was quite believing the mexican to have the same pleasant time like I have had before there, but official work was not letting us that. So, Har- ki - Pauri, that was where we visited on the first night.



The Aarti has just been over with the spectacle of sound and colour. We were just at the right time when, after the ceremony, pilgrims float diyas (floral floats with lamps) and incense on the river, commemorating their deceased ancestors. We hurriedly went amidst the crowds to do that.






Har Ki Pauri is believed to be the exit point of the Ganges from the mountains and entry into the plains. Also known as Brahm Kund, this ghat was built by King Vikramaditya in memory of his brother Brithari who often meditated on the banks of river Ganga. History records an imprint of Lord Vishnu’s foot on one of the stones present on the ghat, which is indicative of the name. An evening ritual (Aarti) performed by the priests on the banks of river Ganga is a highly enchanting and divine experience.






Lamps are seen floating on the river, immersed after the ritual. A splendid aura of lights and chants fills the atmosphere in the evenings.What we knew at that moment was only that it's auspicious.Later, realised that thousands of people from all round the world do make a point to attend this prayer and pay respect to their deceased anscestors on their visit to Haridwar. We were blessed to do that even without the knowledge (God Willing!). The night followed with some cool ,breezy hours by the water. Just walking by the Ganges and being ourselves unguarded was thrilling,Welcoming. I bet, the Gods will also ask for that. So, The night went by lovingly.




The only compliant , I got from my Mexican fren was the night was lovely , but why was it starless always in India at night unlike in her hometown, Mexico . I corrected her , we have starlit nights in Imphal , Manipur and shared a lovely starlit night experience of Kulu , HP and there were many places with stars every nightin India (But , I haven't seen much stars in all my years in Delhi. ). I shared one experience with her, a night of thousand stars twinking nonendlessly. That was with one of my friends and we kept on gazing the stars ,muttering and gazing up perpetually , we never had this , ever in Delhi all these years . It was truly spectacular and filmy because it was so perfect for any one to believe and besides ,we had reached there through a rope way(True , to the name , being pulled by people from the other end , just like in Adventure books and Jungles )from the other end which had Apple , Peach orchards and lovely ,cute lodges and a hillock behind.We ended that day with that sweet note .