Uttarakhand has many places that are blessed and divine. I, had this beautiful opportunity to take Be in Bliss with Me Academy team to this serene place amidst beauty and nature and I would like to share two experiences of mine here.
Ganga Snaan at Rishikesh
This time I got to revisit Rishikesh, another spiritual haven, where the Ganga flows pure and fast. Rishikesh, known as the "Yoga Capital of the World," is calm against the waters of the Ganges.
The tall peaks loom in the distance, and the river flows with a wildness that speaks of its origin in the high, mystical mountains.
Taking a dip in the Ganga here, known as Ganga Snan, is considered to be an act of purification. Standing at the water’s edge, I could sense the chill of the river instantly, yet it invited me as if she was welcoming and taking me into her sacred embrace.
As I immersed myself in the cool, rushing water, I felt an overwhelming sense of renewal from within. The river seems to wash away not just the dirt and dust of the physical body, but also the weight of past mistakes, doubts, and burdens carried within.
The experience is both humbling and exhilarating. With each dip, I sensed a surrender to the divine flow, a feeling of being cleansed, not just outwardly, but inwardly as well. Emerging from the water, I felt lighter, refreshed, and connected to something much larger than myself.
Ganga Arti at Haridwar
As we arrived in Haridwar, the energy of the place was immediately palpable. Nestled at the foothills of the Himalayas, Haridwar is one of the seven holiest places for Hindus, where the Ganga River emerges from the mountains and begins its journey across the plains. The streets were alive with the chanting of hymns, the smell of incense, and the vibrant colors of orange and white as sadhus and pilgrims walked by.
Thousands of devotees had gathered at Har Ki Pauri, the most revered ghat, waiting for the evening Ganga Aarti to begin. The air grows still as the priests, dressed in saffron and white, take their places at the edge of the riverbank. The sound of conch shells fills the air, followed by the rhythmic clanging of bells and the chanting of mantras.
As the Aarti progresses, the connection between the earth, the river, and the divine seems to deepen, filling everyone with a profound sense of peace and devotion.
This Ganga Arti, brought in the reflection of the beautiful deeper thought in me. We can see the wonderful correlation between the Ganges (knowledge), Arti (lights), and the Creator / God (the Brahmam). Every human being's life is to understand the purpose of his/her birth. This understanding will come when he has enough knowledge about this. Water is symbolic of knowledge and life’s purpose is to visualize the Brahman. You need the light to show you the path to the Brahman and this is possible only with knowledge of the divine.
The day wound up beautifully for me putting me into serene peace that the inner
and the outer Arti went well. After a feed to the mind, followed a dinner, that was very special at a local place that served us excellent authentic local food. We tasted the Murdabadi Dal kulcha, which was very relishing.
Be in Bliss with Me!
Vedhan Sri
Comments