Page 25 - Seniors Today - March Issue
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come to find stillness and sanctuary within, into hikes to temples provide stunning views
hoping to feel peace and transcendence, into town. One of the most picturesque treks
through meditation; here yoga may start out is to the Maa Kunjapuri Devi Temple, a Shakti
as a physical practice, often becomes a way peetha along steep and winding mountain
of life that teaches how to discover and draw roads. Getting here is an epic and awe-
upon the innate wisdom residing all men. inspiring adventure in itself, especially on a
The picturesque Paramarth Niketan located motorbike. On the way, rich forests, winding
at the poetically named Swargashrama, roads and a snow-covered Himalayan
hosts the annual International Yoga Festival backdrop render travellers speechless and
- after all Rishikesh is the Yoga Capital of the awe-struck.
World – and the International Sivananda Whitewater rafting is perhaps the most
Yoga Vedanta Centre, are both holistic, iconic adventure activity in Rishikesh and a
spiritually oriented institutions, dedicated to unique opportunity to experience the holy
the teaching of classical yoga, meditation, and river in all its glory. Negotiating this pristine,
Vedanta. glacier-fed river, its untamed waves and
currents on a raft is an experience unlike any
other – a thrill for the novice, a challenge for
the hardcore adventure junkie. The rapids
here are aptly named and go by names like
“The Wall”, “Initiation.” The inviting waters
of the Ganga draw people to jump in. “It was
an exhilarating experience,” Ajay said, after
jumped off the raft and swam in the calmer
waters.
There are some spectacular limestone
waterfalls on the adjacent sloping hills and
jungle waterfall trekking is a unique and fun
filled activity. The steep banks of the Ganga
have some epic cliff jumping spots. One can
see groups of people launching off the larger
boulders and sharp embankments into pools
of calm Ganga water. Rishikesh also offers
India’s highest bungee jump of eighty - three
meters, where one can fall like a free bird.
But the most exciting of all, is the thrill - in
Ajay kayaking
– the air Flying Fox. It is not for the faint
“If happiness is the goal and it should be, hearted. One can either go alone or in a group
then adventures should be top priority.” So of three and experience flying in the air at a
said Richard Branson. mind whirling speed. Then there is the Giant
Rishikesh is not all spirituality and Swing! The jumping process is different, and
contorted limbs; it is an adventure lover’s one enjoys a pendulum swing at the end. This
paradise. Surrounded by hiking trails, some means double the free fall of the bungee, with
challenging and others less so, some weave more speed and wilder thrill! After the swing,
SENIORS TODAY | ISSUE #21 | MARCH 2021 25
