My Journey to Haridwar/Rishikesh as a ‘Kanwariya’

I was not pretty sure about my last trip to Haridwar/Rishikesh. Though I was planning it, some problems occurred and I decided to keep the trip to the next year. But at final moments, I just packed my bags and moved on to Haridwar with aim to pay homage to Deity Shiva and enjoy the splendid scenery that abounds the region. Haridwar hosts famous ‘Kanwar Mela’ every Shrawan month, where millions of Shiva devotes flock to dip into holy Ganga River. A lot among them come to bring Kanwar – a bamboo structure with pots containing pristine Ganga water, while many visit here to uncover pleasing natural beauty and amazing flora & fauna.

Haridwar is about six-hour drive from capital city New Delhi, connected via smooth roads where driving is like a treat. The holy city welcomed us with refreshing morning breeze and a trifle downpour of rain. Take your eyes up, and you see enchanting tropical greenery and mist-covered mountains all around, while sound and smell of shimmering streams & rivers give you hint that you’re at ‘Gateway to Himalaya’. We reached Haridwar at 5:30 am, when city’s calmness, peace and morning luxury was disturbed only by soothing ringing of bells and enchanting Bhajan & Arti (prayers).  It was Shravan month, and Haridwar has acquired a new saffron look with millions of Shiva-devotees in lovely ‘Kanwar Dress’.  

Just after spry eyeshot of Haridwar, we headed to Rishikesh – a beautiful town and the base camp of trekking to sacred Neelkanth Temple. Since a large number of ‘Kawariyas’ in their vehicles were moving to Rishikesh, we didn’t need to catch bus or auto to get in there. We got lift from one such group and reached Rishikesh – a city which is away from materialistic concerns and where attaining the purity of mind and soul is the central priority. Lined up with temples, Ashrams and yoga centers where people live simple yet healthy life and follow the path laid by ancient Hindu scriptures. However, you will find the main city pinched by modernity as well. A wide range of Rishikesh hotels, spa centers and restaurants offer the amenities and facilities you may ask for. You will realize that Rishikesh holds different kind of appeal for different people.     

We dipped into holy water of Gange at a Ghat on Lakshman Jhoola – a sacred bridge which is like a testimony of this ancient city. It’s believed that at the very place where bridge is built, Lakshman crossed the Ganga River using a jute rope. The scenes around the sight are quite inspiring and enchanting for those inclined towards religion and spirituality. At sunset, the Ganga Aarti is performed at the Triveni Ghat which a not-to-miss event for visitors.   

From Lakshman Jhoola to Neelkhant Temple, the distance is about 24-km (if go by a Car or Sumo). One can opt for trekking route too, which may take you through splendid Himalayan panorama and soothing tropical greenery.  And once you reach near the temple and are in queue for your turn to downpour Ganagajal on lord Shiva’s idol in the temple, you forget everything around you and let you lose in divinity of Immortal deity Bhole Nath.

While coming back to Haridwar, we visited a yoga center in Rishikesh. Perhaps a few places in world offer so many styles of yoga as Rishikesh does. Literally, the city is known as the Yoga capital of world. It was the full-day trip, and around 10 pm at night, we returned to Har-ki-pauri in Haridwar from where we had to start our Kanwar journey. We, as a group of 12, brought ‘Dak Kanwar’ from Haridwar to our Village Sisar khas (I will describe it in my next blog) in 20 hours. It was really a great experience memories of that are impossible to diminish from my mind.