Rishikesh, Uttrakhand, India.

Rishikesh is a city in India’s northern state of Uttarakhand, in the Himalayan foothills beside the Ganges River. The river is considered holy, and the city is renowned as a center for studying yoga and meditation. Temples and ashrams (centers for spiritual studies) line the eastern bank around Swarg Ashram, a traffic-free, alcohol-free and vegetarian enclave upstream from Rishikesh town.

What to say about Rishikesh. It’s raining a lot and there are many tourists Indian and Israelis alike. The Ganga river is very high and strong enough to sweep away anything in its path. There are many Ashrams and yoga classes, cooking classes, Ayurvedic massage and treatments. I was overwhelmed Yesterday. Feel a little more settled today, did a pranayama and yoga class this morning and have found a groove. Couple of classes of yoga a day plus eating with the students of yoga tt. Feels like Ubud! Gotta get out of here because the comfort zone is up way to high so easy to get lulled into the Rishikesh vibe.

Moved out of tourist strip to Parmanth Niketan Ashram, check out the Siva statue! Again began to feel very at home with the Ashram routine so I have decided not to stay and to go for an adventure into Nature.

I thought I would be going further up river to visit Gangatori Temple and maybe walk to the start of the Ganges. But it has rained so much that I have been advised not go due to landslides and bad roads. So change of plans! India does test us.