Rishikesh!

This morning I attempted to wake up at 5:45 for morning yoga but failed sadly and went back to sleep to finish a dream.  I did get up at 7:30 though to do a meditation and then start my day with breakfast.  At 10:30 BC came to pick me up for a tour of Rishikesh.

We started at the Barrack temple (another temple for Shiva) and then into the mountains to an ashram dedicated to a very holy man.  The thing I was most looking forward to though was the Ganga and the cave that Buddha came to meditate in.  

Looking out over the city.

Monkeys not given a dam....

The prayer hall.

I did my own mediation in the depths of the cave in complete darkness and silence… until I had to go to the bathroom.  I kid you not it was a tiled hole in the ground, there was no toilet paper either so a bucket of water would have to suffice.  When that ordeal was over with we offered flowers to the river and burned incense, I could have sat by the river for ages and it almost seemed like we did.  We stayed there so long in the sun by the sparkling river that I could see the water rising.  It was the most bizarre thing to see the water rise so quickly, it even swept away the incense.  Eventually it came up to my ankles and then we decided to head to a different cave that Jesus came to live in as well, all these caves were right next to each other.  I didn’t want to leave the river, the sun was so warm and it made the minerals on the surface sparkle.  Not to mention the incredible scenery of the mountains, on the slopes were green farms with layered fields like stairs; it seemed like something you only see in a movie or picture.  I did end up saying goodbye and we headed back down to the city, which I liked the moment we entered.  

So perfect....

I could have stayed here forever...

Flowers to mother Ganga

Too perfect of a day

People make camp on the beaches everywhere! 

The people just seemed so much nicer here and they weren’t as pushing compared to the other places I’ve been in.  I had a quick bite to eat at a café that seemed to be full of westerners… not so sure that any were from Canada though.  BC took me to his home where he showed me the incredible view he has from his rooftop and the little shop they own on the ground.  This is where I bought I lovely hand knitted purple wrap to keep me warm while I stay at the orphanage and agriculture university.  We finally crossed over the bridge to the other side of the Ganga and walked to streets that were filled with many tourist stalls and shops, everything looked so amazing.  A very bright purple and blue hoodie caught my special attention and I had to go try it on, it was so incredibly soft and warm I knew this would be a good investment; only $12!  We continued on towards the grounds of the river where they do a ceremony every night.  During the middle of all the chanting, flames and flower throwing I had to go to the bathroom and by the time I made it there I remembered I needed my shoes but BC had the key to get them back.  I tip toed into the public washroom to find more tiled holes in the ground… surrounded by mud and water.  I grabbed a cup full of water and cleaned my stall out till I was satisfied with the cleanliness, then I went to the bathroom and tip toed back out.  At the end of the ceremony everyone passed around a tier of candles and waved them in a circular motion and then passed it on grabbing smoke and flames and brushing it over their heads with their hands.  It was so cool holding it when it was my turn; I loved waving around the flames.

Students wear the orange robes

The sun was magical

Hanuman 

I couldn’t wait to get back home though and after we crossed a different bridge we walked through more markets and then back to the car.  I made it home just in time for dinner and a good thing too because I was starving! 

After dinner I listened to a lesson on Sadhaka, many stories were given as examples and the best I could get from them was that Sadhaka is kind of like a daily routine we have but more spiritual.  I will probably be able to make a Sadhaka routine while I stay at the ashram in Haridwar.  It was getting late when the lesson finished and I managed to do some packing before I went to bed.  I have decided because tomorrow is my last morning that I will wake up and do the morning yoga routine at 5:45… hopefully I will be able to leave my cocoon of warmth.