We reached Gurgaon on 18th late evening. The highlight of our trip is our experiences in Haridwar and Risikesh. I want to start my narration with our visit to these two places. We spent three days in both the places.Haridwar is about 220 KMS from where we stayed. We reached Haridwar by car. On the way, we passed through Noida, Ghaziabad,,Meerut,Muzafarnagar and Roorkee.We checked into Ginger Hotel at Haridwar.
Vedic history describes Haridwar as the land of salvation.This is the place where Ganga joins the plains and forms an entrance to the various pilgrim centres of the holy land of Uttaranchal. It is known as the land of Shiva and Vishnu. It is also described as the land of Power-MAYAPURI.Haridwar is the ideal pilgrim spot for people who worry about death and desire Mukthi. This is also the first spot of visit for religious scholors and intellectuals.
We first visited Mansa temple in Haridwar. It is located on top of a hill. We travelled by car upto the foot of the hill. We went to the top of the hill by a winch. The temple was very beautiful. As we visited the temple on a Sapthami day, there was tremendous crowd. There were monkeys of all sizes and colours all through the steps leading to the temple.After the temple visit, we went to Hari Poudi-were Ganges flows with ferocious power. We took bath in the Ganges. The flow of water was so very fast and ferocious, we could not even stand for a minute in the water with our feet firmly planted on the ground. Around us, there were shouts of "Alak Niranjan"."Hari Har Mahadev" and "Jai Ganga Mayi". These,along with bells from the temple creates a very spiritual atmosphere. It is a tangible proof of Hindu culture which strives continuously to seek salvation amidst chaos, pain and confusion. After the bath, we also saw the"Aarthi for Ganga". It was a very
enchanting experience.
The next day, we visited Chandi temple. This is again located on top of a hill. We travelled by a winch. Along side Chandi temple, there is also a temple for Anjana Devi, mother of Hanuman.
From Haridwar, we went to Rishikesh- a distance of twenty KMS from Haridwar.
Rishikesh represents the site where Lord Vishnu vanquished the demon Madhu. A gate-way to the Himalayas in the Tehsri-Garhwal region of Uttaranchal, Rishikesh abounds in natural splendour. The spectacle of river Ganga gushing through the foothills of Himalayas surrounded by scenic beauty of the hills from three sides and the verdant forest all around provides a wonderful sight to Rishikesh.
We stayed in Paramartha Niketan,founded by Swamy Sidanand Saraswathi, also called Muniji. This is an ashram built on the banks of Ganges. The ambience in the Ashram and the food are excellent. We just sat on the last step with our feet on the Ganges water. The scenic beauty is marvellous. We watched the Ganga Puja and Aaarthi performed at the Ashram.With more than eight hundred people participating, most of them foreigners, it was a sight to behold.Songs sung,prayers offered and the flames from the Homa Kunda made an extremely spritual atmosphere. We were really thrilled.I recommend Paramarth Niketan for any future stay by any one of you
We saw Laxman Jhoola,Ram Jhoola and Nilakantha temple in Rishikesh,Laxman Jhola ia a suspension bridege in iron and is an architectural marvel,considering that it was built some two hundred years ago..Ram Jhoola, built later between Shivanand Ashram and Swarg Ashram is also very beautiful. (thougjh kept unclean). View of the Ganges from these two bridges reminded me of what I saw in Switzerland and Kashmir. Triveni Ghat is a place where pilgrims take bath in holy Ganges.
Our visit to Neelkantha temple was thrilling. It is about 30 KMS from where we stayed. There was only a single forest road of ten feet with barely enough space for two cars to cross through. It was indeed a dangerous drive. As the mythology says when amrita or the ambrosia was being churned out, the venom also oozed out in the process. Lord shive, in order to save the world, drank this venom. His throat became blue with its effect and HE got the name Neelkantha- one with a blue throat. This is believed to have happend at this place.
Rishikesh is usually mentioned in connection with four other eminent places of tremendous religious importance,namely,Badrinath,Kedar Nath,Yamunotri and Gangotri.
There is a great spritual atmosphere in the air surrounding Rishikesh.Before leaving Rishikesh, I took bath in the Ganges with my wife early morning at 5.30 chanting Shiva Gayathri.
Incidentally, some of the begggers in Rishikesh looked like scholors. There was no trace of worry in their faces. No position.No possessions. No worry about the future. There was happiness wirt large on their faces. I was almost tempted to interview some of them. To a question, one of them replied' "Are you sure you will see to-morrow?".With this, I was afraid of proceeding further.
After seeing the similarity in practices being followed in the North and South, I am inclined to believe that Hinduism is not merely a religion.
Hinduism is a way of Life.
Be proud to be a Hindu.
While in Gurgaon, we also saw different places in Delhi. We also went to Agra to see Taj Mahal. On our return from Taj, we also went to Gokul where Lord Krishna was brought up by Yasodha Mayi.
The Taj has lost some of its shine. When I last saw Taj some thirty years ago, it was pure white in colour. Now the colour is dull. I was tempted to say in typical Raj Kapur style, 'Shaji (referring to Shajahan), Teri Taj, maili Hai". The great Shajahan would turn in his grave very uncomfortably if he sees the present condition of the TAJ. But then, considering that the taj is as old as USA, may be this is how it will be.It is no doubt impossible to construct another Taj. No one, be it Government or individuals, will wait for 22 years to complete a structure.
And finally a word about Gurgaon. It looks great. I never imagined that there could be a place like this in India. In the evening and under lights, it almost looks like down-town Chicago/Atlanta.
We returned to Bangalore late evening on 28th September after spending ten wonderful days in North India.
V.K.Balasubramanian
