I arrived in Rishikesh from Delhi - I really wanted to look at the city, advertised as the "world capital of yoga". Here even once had "Beatles" and lived in Ashrama, engaged in yoga and meditations.
And here I am in place! In general, Rishikesh himself is the usual Indian town. For tourists there is a separate area - next to the bridges Lashkman Julia and Ram Jul. There I was overtaken by the first insight and the first inspiration by Rishikesh - I first saw Gangu. Oh, this is the most beautiful river I met in my life! Here, on the eve of the Himalayas, the water in Ganges is crystal clear, she has a gentle blue color, it is ice and fast, and on the shores her real silver sand. Indeed, he so sparkles in the sun, which seems to be made of precious metals and stones. In Gange, it is forbidden to swim in bikini, because this is a sacred river. And at that time I was in Rishikesh, there was generally forbidden to swim! They say because of the sad tragedies in the past, when drunk tourists drowned in ice running water. Ganga rushes very quickly, pulls the flow instantly, it is. But it is possible to splash near the bass (who will endure icy water for more than 5 minutes?). So I still dipped out, despite the prohibitions - and how otherwise to survive in almost a forty-graduate heat?
In Rishikesh, there are many Ashram, where they are engaged in yoga. Unfortunately, I somehow did not decide to go to any of them, I even asked the price. I did not confuse me (the price is just low, Indian, something about 150-200 rupees for the lesson), and the fact that they are engaged in there, naturally, in English. I was afraid that my knowledge may not be enough for such a serious matter like yoga. Therefore, I just walked along Rishikha and breathed a local atmosphere. And she's extraordinary here!
Rishikesh is a sacred city. Therefore, it is forbidden to eat meat and drink alcohol (it can only be bought in a nearby town or smuggling). All cafes are vegetarian. And everywhere wanders many sadhu - holy people who live on the street and eat only what they are served. They do this to the glory of the god Shiva (whose statues, by the way, is everywhere in Rishikesh). Also around the city freely walking cows and monkeys. And in the evenings on Gange, they must be carried out Puja (the sacred rite of the Hindus).