The Panchakarma therapy(Ayurveda way of detoxification and rejuvenation) that I have been doing the last 3 days really has exhausted me…but more on all of that later cuz I am energized now after returning from a beautiful experience on the banks of  Mother Ganga (or Ganges).

The 7 day therapy package here at Hemadri Ayurveda Centre in Rishikesh comes standard with hotel, food, massage, steam baths, oil massage on my third eye, yoga and pulse evaluation. However, to enhance and enliven my stay even more I chose the “adventure package.”  Why not  check out some of the important  local temples or white water raft between yoga and oil massages (note:  I  did opt out of white water rafting…I guess I am not that adventurous)?!

My first adventure was tonight after yoga class.  My teacher along with 2 other therapists at the center brought me to an aarti on the Ganga river. An aarti is a  ritual of worshiping the Ganga.

The Ganges is the most sacred river to Hindus and is also a lifeline to millions of Indians who live along its course and depend on it for their daily needs. It is worshiped as the goddess Ganga in Hinduism.

Crossing the Lakshman Jhula (Bridge).

It is a footbridge (motor scooters and cows can be found on it too!) that connects the two sides of Rishikesh.

Suma, Maya and another “Didi” (<- “sister” in Hindi…I use that cuz I don’t know her name) wanted to show me one of the most famous restaurants in Rishikesh, Chotiwala.  This painted man is its mascot.  The  images of him in the restaurant made him look to be a much happier person than how I found him. Hmmm, like your job?

  Chotiwala Restaurant from the outside.

Suma and Maya shopping for their children.

Suma has 1 child and Maya 2. Married women must wear a bindi (red dot in between eyebrows) and a second red mark high on their forehead in the part of their hairline.  Suma said that “saris are also compulsory” for married women…yet in this picture neither Suma nor Maya are wearing one.  “Too much work,” said Suma.

 Sunset on the Ganges river.

 Suma buying a little toy boat for her son :).

The boat motored around the little bucket using steam heat.  The steam was created by a lit candle placed in the back.  30 rupis.

 A little boy selling pooja or offerings to give to Mother Ganga.

The aarti  is held each night and is organized by the largest ashram in Rishikesh (I think it may be one of the largest in India too), Parmarth Niketan.

This is a glimpse into the gardens of this spiritual facility. Orange is considered an auspicious color in India…so it is everywhere!  I love it!

 Looking from the Ashram to where the aarti takes place.

 Shoe drop!

I am always barefoot in this country 🙂

 Mother Ganga and Lord Shiva

Shiva, one of the major Hindu deities, looked over us during the aarti. He is regarded as the most powerful god in Hinduism.  He and his son, Ganesha (who has an elephant head), can be seen on buildings and shops here in Rishikesh.

The boys in yellow are students studying the Vedas (sanskrit and Ayurveda) at the ashram.  They are largely responsible for organizing the aarti each evening.

 Shiva – in Sanskrit means “auspicious one”

 Maya, Suma and Didi praying and paying tribute to Mother Ganga.

The ceremony commenced with the singing of bhajans (Indian devotional song) and prayers. Next a purifying and sacred ritual took place around a fire next to the river. Offerings were made to Agni, the fire god. At the end of the aarti, lamps and candles were lit.  Many would gather around the serpent shaped lamps to touch them and move them in a circular motion. Others would pass their hand above the fire and run their palm over their head.

 A devotee getting his pooja ready to send off in the currents of the Ganges.

Leaving the aarti…you can see one of the lit lamps.

Walking home tonight I felt India taking hold of me.  With Maya holding my hand we weaved through the scooters, running children, women wrapped in bright saris, men in turbans and walking sticks, monkeys, cows and dogs…this is India.  Its splendor is in its chaos. Its purity is in its spirituality. Its beauty is in its faces – like the smiling one that kept looking over at me to make sure I was still okay….

This is about how I feel right now!

Signing off from Rishikesh.

Namaste!