Every evening, at seven o'clock, hundreds of worshipers gather on the banks of the Ganges River to worship the Hindu goddess Maa Ganga. Under the watchful eye of a gigantic statue of Shiva, those present recite in unison a series of religious chants and mantras that transport the few tourists who come to a dream world. The gurus, who light candles to purify and thank the gods in the center of the stage, are accompanied by a group of musicians who play non-stop until the end of the ritual. This spectacle is one of the main attractions of Rishikesh, a city located in the state of Uttarakhand, which lives at the foot of the largest river in all of India. This is probably the most important city in the world when it comes to the practice of yoga.
Here it seems that the extreme heat that is experienced in a good part of India decides to take a breather. Although it is not exactly at the foot of the Himalayas, Rishikesh's geographical situation -near the mountain range- favors a more temperate climate and allows travelers to rest from the climatic scourge to which the north of the country has been subjected since March and until late autumn. In addition to the meetings of followers of Hinduism that pay homage to the goddess Ganga in the late afternoon, it is also common to see groups of students who try to contort themselves to the rhythm of the yogis, who try to cheer them up with humorous tones to the rhythm of Awesome!, Much better! or You will be a great yogi, but not today!.
It is curious to see how a large number of Western tourists gather in the city, much more difficult to see in other places in the northern half of India. But it is not a recent fad. Especially from the 1960s, various celebrities -especially singers and music groups- began to travel here to discover all those spiritual transformation practices that were beginning to arrive in the United States and later in Europe. The Beatles -it is said that they composed up to 48 songs on the trip, many of them included in the White album-, The Beach Boys or the singer-songwriter Donovan are just a few examples of the furor that yoga and meditative practices began to cause in the West.
This adoration for the search for inner calm through demanding postural exercises has its origin in the time of Brahmanism, more than 5,000 years ago. “What greater proof that it works than millions of practitioners over thousands of years?” explains yogi Yogi Dinesh Chander Ji, owner of Ahsram Om Shanti Om Yoga. The center offers loose yoga classes, weekend courses and retreats that can last up to several months. “We have been ten days. We had always wanted to try it, and the truth is that it has been one of the best experiences of our lives”, says a Spanish couple, settled in Gran Canaria, as they leave their last morning session.
An important part of the city revolves around the practice of yoga and meditation. There are numerous ashrams that offer courses adapted to all kinds of needs: from those who want to try it once without commitment to those who want to make long stays, but cannot afford them. That is why it is not uncommon to find foreigners working as volunteers in this type of center, even in hotels or restaurants, in exchange for accommodation and free courses.
Parmarth Niketan Ashram, one of the largest and oldest in Rishikesh, is listed as one of the top rated retreats in the entire country. Its literal translation is "A dwelling dedicated to the well-being of all", and it offers rooms at really affordable prices. The day begins at five in the morning, when the Prarthana or morning prayer is celebrated, and does not end until half past seven in the evening, when the last meditation of the day ends in its incredible gardens.
Another of the classics is the Yoga Niketan Ashram, also known for being one of the first to open in the early 60s. With views of both the Ganges and the leafy mountains that surround the city, for less than 13 euros you can enjoy accommodation , meals and yoga classes up to three times a day. On the banks of the river, near the Ram Jhula bridge, is the Sivananda Ashram, also known as The Divine Life Society. Founded in 1978, the center honors guru Swami Shivananda, one of the most influential spiritual figures of the 20th century. It offers yoga classes, stay and free meals.
If what you want is to spend a meditation-only stay, we recommend the Shree Mahesh Heritage Meditation School. With courses of 100, 200 and 300 hours, the center allows practitioners of all levels to feel comfortable and can choose the option that best suits their previous experience. The teacher who currently runs the center is Shri Ram Gupta Ji.
For those who want a little more comfort and a disconnection with a spa included, Ananda in the Himalayas is the right place. Located on the outskirts of the city, in the middle of the mountains, it is not an ashram like the ones mentioned above, but it has all the comforts and luxuries that a five-star hotel can offer. Of course, you can take courses on stress management, Dhyana (meditation), mental health, treatment of chronic pain and exercises for weight control.
