The Spiritual Hub: Rishikesh and the Ganges

I am not a particularly spiritual person, but Rishikesh got to me. Nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas where the Ganges river rushes out of the mountains, it has been a center for yoga and meditation for centuries. The Beatles famously came here in the 1960s, and you can still visit the ashram where they stayed, which is now a graffiti covered ruin that feels strangely peaceful. I took a yoga class at one of the many schools along the river. It was a beginner class, but by the end, I felt like I had done more than just stretch. There is something about the energy of the place. The highlight for me was the Ganga Aarti at Parmarth Niketan ashram. Every evening at sunset, the steps fill with people for a ceremony of fire, chanting, and prayer. I sat on the steps, watched the lamps float down the river, and felt this deep sense of calm. If you are feeling adventurous, you can also go white water rafting on the Ganges. It is a blast and a great way to see the river from a different perspective. Rishikesh is vegetarian by law, so it is a great place to try all kinds of Indian vegetarian cuisine. The cafes along the riverfront serve everything from traditional thalis to smoothie bowls.