The Rest of the Best of Rishikesh...and Haridwar



Working backward: Images and adventures in Haridwar,  Feb. 27-29

The colorful train station by night!

Images of Shiva everywhere in Haridwar...this one also at the train station.

Crowds of people at the famous evening Arati that happens every night on the banks of the Ganges



Priests wave huge trays of massive, burning oil in tribute to the sacred Ganga

A group  of fellow participants seated by the river...lovely family!


all part of the picturesque scene there

great multitudes come for this arati.... must have been thousands of people...quite the crush! I was the only white face I saw there



Phenomenal meal served to me at my Airbnb in Haridwar by Seema, my lovely host. Since I have been SO deprived of veggies, I asked for a good medley and happily, she complied


Lovely sunset shot of the sacred Ganges

Had a great meditation in Ananda Mayee Ma's Mahasamadhi Shrine

Mother and pigs share garbage bounty...yech! but see this a lot... dogs, goats, cows, pigs...all the Indian version of garbage disposal! 

Marriage: a huge deal in India and excuse for elaborate parties that go on for days! Frequently, one sees horse-drawn carriages such as this one pulling the groom along through the streets, blaring rockin' music, while the wedding party dances alongside the carriage! Quite the spectacle!

The groom didn't look all that happy...nervous? Scared? Arranged marriage, most likely....

The gay revelry in the street amongst the wedding party folks!

Uday--my fellow guest at my Airbnb and companion for a day of touring--and I are seeing this magnificent view from a cable car we are taking to the Mansa Temple








Unfortunately, commercialism is rampant in these temples, and one sees every kind of vendor inside...

Every priest inside the temples, large and small, would bless the devotees then ask for money! It was rather distasteful.

Mansa devi.... reminded me of a rather twisted, decorated emoji!



Throngs of worshippers, end of cable car ride (known here quaintly as a "ropeway", come to pay homage to the Mansa emoji god!

There were a plethora of vendors selling these gorgeous flower offerings at their stalls. Quite fierce competition! Must have been thousands of them. Cultivated flowers must be a huge business in India! 

This was only one of a hundred such stalls...or so it seemed!

heading back down the "ropeway"






amazing cultivated gardens down underneath the ropeway


fellow passengers, looking none too happy! air sick?! it did swing a fair amount

Uday, my kind companion and guide...great to have his company, since he could speak the language and negotiate with tuk tuk drivers and others. However, his standard phrase to me was, "Be Careful"! I think he took me for a fragile old lady who needed looking after. Let it be noted that I beat this 40 year old youngster up the walkway to Chandi temple, and it was about a 2k climb! Very steep, too!


Slums of Haridwar: hard to see, but let it be noted that many of these shanties had satellite dishes attached to the roofs! No matter how poor, people can afford cable and satellite technology! Not to mention, cell service is also dirt cheap...what's wrong with the picture, then, in the U.S.A.?!?!!? 


The paved walk way we took on our climb to the Chandi Temple

Actually, photos of Chandi goddess were forbidden, as it is with all deities. This one--in a small, side temple--was one I snuck in, as I did whenever possible!

view looking back on the trail from whence we came...not too shabby, eh?!?





My elaborate receipt for my 10 rupee donation at Chandi temple...too pretty to not include!


Gateway to the Chandi temple climb.....
  
Last days of Rishekesh follows:  wonderful ones to be sure! 

Finally made my way to the Mother Miracle School... really impressive. Check it out online... you will see all the details on their website. 

designed by a student, on the wall of one of the four computer labs!


children at lunch in the cafeteria--very orderly
I am crunched for time so am going to forego captions. Shots are from a hike I took with my wonderful host, Amit, who is an Amazing yoga master as you will see. He performed some asanas for me on the banks of the Ganges. Other photos are from temple visits, a wonderful lunch we had at the Freedom Cafe, an ashram we visited and amazing hike up the Neem waterfall. Enjoy the series! (oh, and of course, more favorite monkey pics!) 











































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