Ganges

There are several towns and villages around Ganga that are still beautiful, places you can visit. Some of them are:

Rishikesh
This beautiful temple town has ancient temples running across the entire length and breadth of the riverbank. Rishikesh represents the Gateway to the Himalayas. The river here is stunningly blue. A boat ride across it is one of the most fascinating experiences, as you see temples and ashrams on both the banks.

Located at the height of about 1360 feet above sea level, several sages practice penance here.

Tapovan
This place houses a temple dedicated to Laxman, the brother of Lord Rama, where he carried out penance.

Lakshman Jhoola
The link between Haridwar and Rishikesh, it is believed to have existed for the last 5000 years. A newer bridge, the Ram Jhoola, has been added recently.

Nilkanth Mahadeo Temple
This temple is at a distance of 12 km from Rishikesh and is situated at a height of about 5000 feet. From here, you can see the Ganga flowing through the icy Himalayas.

Haridwar
Located in the foothills of the Himalayas, Haridwar represents the point where the Ganga reaches the plains. It is an ancient pilgrimage site, held in reverence for centuries. Several temples and ashrams dot this town and a visit to Haridwar is like stepping into a totally different world.

Varanasi or Benares
This temple town is considered to be the holiest of all pilgrimage sites in India. Home to Lord Shiva, Benares is also known as Kaashi because it is believed that a visit to this town is like achieving salvation. This city is believed to be the oldest living city of the world and it is located between two rivers Varana and Asi.

Benares houses the Kaashi Visweswara temple that was desecrated and rebuilt several times. The latest structure dates back to the 18th century.

Apart from the temples, there are four other sacred spots in Benares.

The Asi-Ganga sangamam
Located at Lolarka, this place houses a temple to the Sun God. The rivers Ganga and Varana converge at a spot where there is a shrine to Kesava.

The Panchaganga Ghat
Located here is a temple to Bindu-Madhava. It is believed that five rivers Kirana, Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati and Dhutapapa converge here.

Manikarnika Ghat
At this spot it is said that Lord Vishnu (of the Hindu holy trinity of Brahma, the creator, Vishnu, the sustainer and Shiva, the destroyer) dug a pit to meditate in with his weapon the Sudarshanchakra. It is said that the sweat created during his meditation filled the pit. At the same spot Lord Shiva shook his head and his jewelled earring fell into the pit, hence the name Manikarnika.

Tradition has it that those who die at Benares and are cremated at the Manikarnika ghat are liberated from the cycle of life and death.

Ganga is not only about worship. There are several adventure sports camps held on the river, which take you trekking and river rafting on the Ganga rapids, considered one of the most dangerous in the world.

Trekking in the Himalayas, through which the Ganga flows, is a process of self-discovery. There is a mysterious aura of peace and tranquillity around, which makes trekking a highly rejuvenating exercise. You trek through icy mountains, glaciers and thick jungles and across the beautiful life-giving river.

Racing among deep gorges, breaking into silvery rapids and thundering over boulder-strewn beds, Ganga is challenging and inviting to the white water rafting enthusiast.

Rafting down Ganga will take you through dense forests, temples and ashrams on the one hand, difficult rapids on the other. The river descends towards Rishikesh, passes under the Laxman Jhoola and the run concludes at the dam beyond Rishikesh.

White water rafting expeditions in India are organized and managed by professional Indian teams who have trained overseas in some of the most difficult water stretches of the world.

Metamorphosis
28/7, Urban Estate,
Gurgaon, India.
Tel No: (O91-124) 305660
Email: info@metamorphosis-online.com

Garhwal Himalayan Explorations
Kailash Gate,
Muni Ki Reti,
Rishikesh-249201, India
Tel No: (091-135) 433478, (091-135) 433155
Fax: (091-135) 431654
Email: himalayas@vsnl.com

The season runs from January to September only. After September, it is too cold to attempt either trekking or river rafting.

Rishikesh
The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport at Dehradun, which is 40 kms away. Cabs or buses will take you to Rishikesh in roughly an hour's time from the airport.

Rishikesh can be reached from the holy city of Haridwar in 30 minutes by road.

If your preference is for rail then the railways provide a well-connected service to Rishikesh from all parts of the country. The government run State Transport has adequate number of buses from Dehradun to Rishikesh for the comfort of travellers.

Varanasi
This city is easily accessible and well connected with the rest of the country by air to all the major metros as well as places like Agra, Khajuraho, Lucknow and Bhubaneswar. It has its own airport at a distance of 22 kms from the city at Babatpur.

The main railway station, Varanasi Cantt., is well connected to most major cities in the country.

Haridwar
The nearest airport is Jollygrant, a half-hour drive from Haridwar. Taxis and buses ply regularly between the airport and city making it easily accessible.

Haridwar is also well connected by rail so travelling is not a problem.

There are several lodges, medium sized hotels and even rooms on rent in people's homes along the length of the Ganga.

In Rishikesh: Once you have reached Rishikesh you can be sure of comfortable hotels though none are in the five-star class. Some of the options are listed below:

Tourist Complex, Muni-ki-Reti.
Rishikesh, India
Tel No: (091-1364) 430373
Fax: (091-1364) 430372

New Tourist Bungalow,
Haridwar Bypass Road
Tel No: (091-1364) 433002

Inderlok Hotel,
Railway Road
Tel No: (091-1364) 430555-56
Fax: (091-1364) 432855

Hotel Ganga Kinare,
16, Virbhadra Road
Tel No: (091-1364) 431658, 431645
Fax: (091-1364) 435243

In Varanasi: Some of the prominent hotels include in this city include:

ITDC Varanasi Ashok,
The Mall
Tel No: (091-542) 46020-30
Fax: (091-542) 348089.

Hotel Taj Ganga,
C21/3 Maldahiya
Tel No: (091-542) 351485/90
Fax: (091-542) 350931.
U.P.T.D.C. Tourist Bungalow,
Parade Kothi, Cantt.,
Tel No: (091-542) 43413

In Haridwar: Once in Haridwar there are plenty of hotels you could choose from. Some of them are listed below:

Hotel Aarti.
Railway Road,
Haridwar 249 401, India
Tel No: (091-133) 427 456/098
Fax: (091-133) 423 656

Hotel Basera
Jassa Ram Road,
Niranjani Akhara Bagh,
Haridwar 249 401, India
Tel No: (091-133) 428 182.

Hotel Bhaskara
Opp. Railway Station, Haridwar 249 401, India.
Phone: (091-133) s425 473/423 563

Hotel Milap Mansion
128, Sharvan Nath Nagar,
Haridwar 249 401, India.
Tel No: (091-133) 427 897

	Touts and tricksters are only too ready to trap the unwary, so be cautious when interacting with strangers and unknown agencies.
	As a safety precaution all travelers are advised to drink only bottled water and avoid having tap water.
	One must also avoid consuming food items that are kept out in the open like pakora or samosas.
	While travelling it is always a good idea to carry a small first aid kit that must include an anti-itch cream, some bandages, an antiseptic cream, a pair of small scissors and some disinfectant.
	If you plan to go trekking then ensure that you have comfortable shoes.
	Also, ensure that your clothing is commensurate with the climate of the place.

- Deepali Nandwani

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