NEW YEAR BEGINNING 2011

With the fast India becoming part of globalization, most of the urban Indians celebrate the last day of previous year with great fun followed by parties, drinks, dance and so on to welcome the New Year. However, I had different idea this time. I felt these parties are artificial, you have to smile, drink and dance even if you don’t like and you to behave like a pre programmed machine and act in a particular manner.

Hills have always fascinated me. Shimla has been my favourite haunting place. The the long deodar trees, the welcoming pines, green carpeted mountains, diamond glowing glaciers and scenting air always add charms to this lovely city. But above all, what inspires you is the innocence of local habitants, their mannerism, beautiful and lively interaction and optimism towards life and that always have a magnetic effect on my imagination. I wished to go to Shimla, but due to extreme cold weather, we decided to opt for the Valley of Rishikesh.

Along with with Kaku’s family and Raju’s family we made programme of this holy city. Of course, Raju joined us after much persuasion from Kaku. But he will now admit it was worth.

On 30^th December, we headed for Rishikesh from Chandigarh via Nalagarh, Nahan, Ponta Sab and Dehradun. It was raining heavily when we started from Chandigarh and passed through deep forest of Shivalik hills. The beauty of hills was mesmerizing. After having a small break at Ponta Sab, we reached Rishikesh at 2.30 pm. Our hotel, “Ganga Resort” a venture of GNVL is situated on the bank of Holi river Ganga. We checked in and without wasting a single minute, came out to enjoy the serenity of nature. My eye could not believe that a place could be so beautiful. You have direct access to river from the porch of our hotel. Stadium kind of sitting arrangement at the bank of river from Kailash Ghat to Ram jhula has added special significance to this place. So one can spend whole day watching the pure transparent water flowing.

Of all the main river valleys of Garhwal, the Bhagirathi valley is perhaps the most beautiful, for deep glens and forest of deodar, birch, oak, and pine flank the river here. Legend has it that when Ganga descended from heaven to earth, Lord Shiva received her in his matted locks, releasing her slowly, or else the sheer force of the flow would have washed the earth away. Indeed the forest of Garhwal could well represent the locks of Shiva.

Seventy kilometers downstream from Devprayag, at a point where the Ganga meets the Chandrabhaga, stands the holicity Rishikesh built above the very last gorge that the Ganga must negotiate before entering the plains. Rishikesh is a cool, beautiful, restful place, with a kind of benediction in the air. The serene east bank of the Ganga is home to a string of ashrams, centers of Vedic and yogic learning, meditation and herbal medicine. The mighty Lakshman Jhula spans the river, dwarfing the habitation on either side.

Facing our rooms was the deep forest of Himalayas. The small temples from the midst of trees were giving a serene happiness in our mind.

Because of winter, Arti time was about 5 o clock at the Greta Mandir. We crossed Ganga by a boat and reached Geeta Mandir for evening prayers. Lot of Diyas were lit by students and teachers of Parmarth Ashram. The devotional songs and bhajans were all were in the air. And Ma Ganga was flowing in its own current giving blessing to all its children.

Next day was a fogy day. We went for an excursion towards hill side. We tracked for around 1 km, but due to rain had to return from mid way. It was 31^st evening, so Arti had to be very special. I just closed my eyes, listened to the Bhajan and lost myself in the divine mystic of nature. Small speech was also given by one Sadhvi for making new commitment in the new year.

1^st Jan, 2011 was a sunny day, a perfect day for rafting. We started from Shiv Camp for onward journey to Ramjhula, an 18 km journey of 2.5 hours in raft. There were around 5 to 6 places where water was rapid and was taking quick turn and twist and that was the really attraction of raft journey. Kartik, Arpit, Kshitij and Kaku did not lose the opportunity and jumped into the icy water when challenged by the raft master.

The evening was again spent at the bank of Ganga for prayers and this is the place where I enjoyed maximum and got real spiritual pleasure.

On 2^nd jan. we all returned back to our home towns. However only one thought is still in my mind. Sacred and pious Ganges gives lives to millions of people, running through thousands of kilometers at different places. Some people pray it like Goddess, some people throw their garbage in it, but it keep on flowing without any complaint and gives its blessing to all. Can we learn something from Ma Ganga?