After a long time, I am writing my travelogue. It is for my January 2018's trip to Rishikesh. Rishikesh is my all time favorite place as I wish to live there after my retirement. Coming back to the trip, it was not planned, I with Ashwani wanted to go somewhere to spend the first week of the year. And we zeroed on Rishikesh as it's near to Najibabad and also because to Deepak, a very dear friend to Ashwani, and now mine too. Deepak is in hotel industry and works in Rishikesh. We met him on decided time and discussed further plans, Deepak had for us. We had our food and moved towards the river-side camp, where we had to spent our night.
Photographs of camp are added only those which I clicked in morning, as who had time to click them in night, we were totally awestruck by the place. It was dark night and there were only us in entire camp. We had bonfire, discussed things and place. Deepak had many stories about his work and Rishikesh. Tandoori chicken was superb, and indeed, with drinks. Deepak and Ashwani had their beer and my limca bottle was with me, as I am a teetotaler. There was helping-person provided in camp who was chef too, cooked chicken-curry for us, which was not bad. That night I slept, but other two had few bottles left so they discussed life for more few hours...
Here is the hut, we slept in. When I opened my eyes in morning, Ashwani saying that perhaps some wild animal came in night, as dogs were barking in horror at something. Our tent was zipped and safe for us. It was beautiful camp at a small river bank.
View of camp from the road, where I parked my car. Deepak has arranged our stay at Hotel Himalaya Retreat. On our way to hotel, Ashwani suggested to have morning coffee at famous German Bakery near Lakshman Jhula.
A view of Lakshman Jhula from German Bakery. We had hot coffee with sandwiches. This was a must visit place. Post breakfast, we left for Himalaya Retreats Hotel, where we had our stay. A truly amazing place.
It's a pic clicked at reception, we took our breakfast here. We had delicious aloo-paratha with curd. Following are the pics of huts, one of which we made our home for next two days.
Bonfire was ready to lite.
We took rest two or three good hours, discussed our future plans. Deepak and I decided to visit at Dev Prayag. Ashwani had no option but to come with us.
Dev prayag is 74 km far from Rishikesh and it took two and half hours to reach there. Roads were good and with beautiful views.
Devaprayaga is the sacred place where two heavenly rivers, Alakhnanda and Bhagirathi, merge to form river Ganga. Devprayag is surrounded by three Godly peaks, named Giddhanchal Parvat, Dashrathanchal Parvat, and Narsinghancal Parvat.
Devprayag is a small town situated in Tehri Garhwal district in Uttarakhand. Apart from that some of its area comes under Pauri Garhwal District. It is also a Nagar Panchayat and a division of Panch Prayag. Devprayag is the last prayag of River Alaknanda. Devprayag is located on the Rishikesh-Badrinath highway.
Devprayag is divided into three parts. One is Bah Bazzar(Pouri Side part), second one is Beech Bajar (laying down to the Highway No.58) and the third is Shanti Bazar, main bus stand of Devprayag.
We came back to hotel by evening, had dinner and chaired around bonfire, discussed the day and life. (Again didn't click pics, and don't remember why.)
Next morning, Deepak was busy and left me & Ashwani after having breakfast. We had fried-rice in breakfast and left the place for local site seeing in Rishikesh on Deepak's Royal Enfield.
Vashishta Gufa is an ancient cave located at a distance of 22 km from Rishikesh and 6 km from Shivpuri, on Rishikesh - Badrinath road. On the banks of the Ganga River, this place is very popular for meditation lovers. This is the cave where great Sage Vashishta said to have meditated. He was also among the seven great sages (Saptarishis) and the guru of Lord Ram. According to Hindu mythology.
It is believed that in the year 1930 Sri Swami Purushottamananda Ji visited this place and now his ashram is located close to the Vashishta Gufa, where meditation is practiced. At present, the Swami Purshottamanand Trust manages this cave. The cave is a natural formation of 60 feet deep that has a Shiv Linga inclined vertically into the cave opening.
A view from Raam Jhula
The famous Chotiwala Restaurant.
The Parmarth Ashram
Triveni Ghat
Post lunch at Chotiwala restaurant, we visited Parmarth Ashram and Triveni Ghat. Then it was time to leave this beautiful city. We met Deepak to thank him for his kind hospitality, left his bike on his place and drove back to Najibabad.
