We arrived in Rishikesh and began searching for a hotel. This is what we came across. There is a huge Shiva temple right off the Ganga (Ganges River) and they were doing an evening prayer/puja (worship). The people seated at the back of the image were taking turns doing a mantra and throwing small bits of stuff into the fire.
That night, we decided to hang out by the bank of the Ganga. We ended up laying on one of the ghats (landing or steps) and star gazing. This is a shot of the business side of Rishikesh across the river from the main tourist/yoga side.
This bridge is absolutely beautiful. Meet Laxman Jhula. Jhula means bridge in Hindi, and Laxman is a god. And naturally there is a story to explain the bridge and its significance. (If you want to know it, ask me later.) Am I in India? Gorgeous suspension bridge!
This is one reason why Rishikesh is a pretty cool hang out place. White water rafting in the Ganges (especially up river enough not to be utterly disgusting). The crowd of people on the rock ledge or cliff jumping into the river before getting back into their rafts. I really wish our insurance policy did not expressly restrict us from white water rafting. Shame to miss this opportunity.
On our way out of town, all these people in this temple kept circling and going up and circling and going up. Every time they passed a bell and it corresponding idol, they rang it. All of them ringing non-simultaneously and sporadically. The purpose of the bell is to wake up the idol so that it will be able to receive you. Wake up an inanimate little stone statue ...hmmm...
Meet a sadhu. There are many of these guys at all major Hindu religious places. He is a holy man. I am not sure why. To be a higher ranking sadhu: have a larger following than the next guy.
Thus marks the end of this sessions cultural education. Enjoy.
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