Ganga: the great river of India, rising in the icy heights of the Himalayas, racing among deep gorges, breaking into silvery rapids and thundering over boulder-strewn beds. The water pure and cold, like the shock of a spiritual realization.

Floating on a raft down the Ganga was one of the most intense experiences of my life, as I allowed the chilling waters to purify and invigorate me with fresh life.

The most sacred of Indian rivers, the Ganga is deeply embedded in the legends, mythology and collective consciousness of this sub-continent. The Ganga has an exalted position in the Hindu ethos. It is repeatedly invoked in the Vedas, the Puranas, and the two Indian epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharta. Ganga devi is a goddess, one of two daughters of Meru (the Himalayas), the other being Uma, consort of Shiva. In her youth, Indra had asked for Ganga to be given to heaven to soothe the Gods with its cool waters.

Beyond the legends though, the mountainous terrain through which the Ganga flows affords some of the most spectacular river running in the country, challenging and inviting the white-water rafting enthusiast. While the Indus snaking through Ladakh, the Zanskar and Chenab in Kashmir are exhilarating, and rivers like the Sutlej, Beas and Yamuna are a sporting challenge, only few rivers in the world have the mystique of the Ganges.

Rafting on the Ganga is certainly a unique experience. Seasons change and along with it, the mood and colour of the river. The most distinctive aspect of rafting along the bends in the river is the dense forests, temples and ashrams on the shores, and the surprising, often difficult rapids.

River-rafting is journeying on a torrential river on an inflatable rubber boat. Provided with white-water life-vest and a helmet (required all the time while on the river), you can enjoy the adventure packed moments on the waters, as a professional guides the rafts through the meandering river. So, if you wish to explore new areas and are ready to encounter the wild youth of the Ganges, you are qualified and well entitled to join a white-water running trip.

On either side you pass temples that have been standing there for centuries. On the banks you see hordes of devotees, bathing, swimming or just boating down the river. Evenings are quite an experience, when devotees light diyas on steps of the river bank, and even leave some to float in the placid waters.

It was in April that I decided to experience the tranquillity and the adventure on the Ganga. Our rafting campsite stood isolated in a serene spot amidst the thick forests of the Shivalik Hills on a silvery sand beach. We awoke to the chirping of birds announcing the arrival of dawn. The first golden rays of the sun caressed the waters of the Ganges, paying their homage. Looking forward to our trip on the river, we got ready in no time, gulping down our food in a hurry.

The raft plunged into foaming waters, as we held on to the ropes for dear life. Coursing down the meandering river, tackling one treacherous rapid after the other, the raft tossed and turned. At times it appeared as if the river was ready to take us in its icy cradle, but somehow the raft held us upright.

As we neared Rishikesh, there was a short stretch with seemingly placid water. We were given the option of getting into the waters for body surfing. With great delight, the whole group jumped into the river, screaming in horror as the icy waters enveloped us. It was with a heavy heart that I climbed back into the raft as we could hear the thundering of the next rapid.

The river descends towards Rishikesh, passes under the Lakshman Jhoola and the run concludes at the dam beyond Rishikesh. At the end of the day, as we reached Rishikesh, we were tired but energised with our day descending down the river.