From the majestic temples to the holy Ganges river, Haridwar is a place that has always intrigued me since my working days. Whenever, I ran out of fuel with city chaos and mental pressure due to over exhausted work, "Haridwar - Rishikesh" always used to be my go to destination most of the weekend. Situated at a distance of 250 km from New Delhi, always been a good holiday gateway choice for many people.
I was quite excited when this year I travelled to Haridwar after a gap of 8 years. It helps me recall back all my previous outing and also felt quite relaxed and fresh. (to learn more on my 2023 travel to Haridwar, check out links at bottom)
(edited image from this year trip)
Here I am referring to two differrnt places. Both are not far enough and have their own charm and importance. One can easily point out the difderence. While Hardiwar is quite crowded, Rishikesh is very quite. Both the place have their own significance. Haridwar is a pligrimage location situated on the foothills of Himalayan , on the other hand the serene atmosphere at Rishikesh calls for good meditation and yoga place. It takes only 45 min from Haridwar to Rishikesh. While it takes 5 hrs from New Delhi to Reach Haridwar. Being my favourite destination and given me a chance I alwsys love to explore the place any number of time.
(image from this year trip)
Haridwar
Thid has long been associated as a spiritual destination for people seeking inner peace and salvation. Being a pligrimage location, people from all over the world come to find tranquility at this place. Flowing, Ganga River is the major attraction of the place. It is believed that human get rid of their sin on taking the holy dip at Ganga in Haridwar Although Haridwar has a lot of tourists and a lot of people, it has a very serene atmosphere.The Ganga River is a splendour. The sheer strength of the waves was all the more intriguing.
You will find a completelly different aspect of people visiting this place. Attending the evening arti with 100 of lamps lit up the entire area is a pure bliss.
I remeber, spending some quite time under this connecting over bridge, listening to the lullaby of the flowing Ganges.
I have been there in numerous occasion. This picture is from 2012 trip.
Rishikesh
Rishikesh is located at a much higher altitude compared to Haridwar. It is known as ***yoga capital of the world. I was awestruck by the implicit sense of serenity at this place. I belive @riverflows @ecoalex and few other #hive user who have been to this places agree with me. There are several beautiful and famous ashrams in the city where meditation and yoga are practiced in the lap of nature. Infact foreign tourists were seemed a tad more knowledgeable about the place than any Indian. People from all over the world visit the place in search of peace and solitude.
My visit to this place in 2016.
As said before, this place is just opposite to the crowded and buzzing Haridwar. Tourist comes to this place to visit the Laksman Jhulla (the swinging bridge at my back). This has been the only major attraction of this place. The place is again situated alongside magnificent Ganga. But here the flow of water is too calm unlike Hardwar. People come here to rejenuvate their inner self.
Apart from natural set up, yoga , meditation, people have many water sports option. After visiting these places after so many years, I was reborn. There is a different atmosphere which always attracts me. The serenity, tranquility, peace everything is here at these two place. For me it is a compleyelly different world and help.me rejuvenate at every visit. Like this year, I would love to make a visit every year. I am more of myself at these places.