Spiritual Spirit: Rishikesh + Haridwar

a. Today get up early to drive to Manasa Devi Temple, a famous Siddh peeth.

b. On reaching the shrine, park the vehicle near the temple premises.

c. From the temple parking there are two ways to reach the Manasa Devi shrine.

d. One option is to trek for 3 kms along a steep climb on Bilwa Parvat.

e. Other option is to book a cable car ride - https://udankhatola.com/

f. Manasa Devi is a form of Shakti that emerged from the mind of Lord Shiva, where “manasa” means wish & it is believed that the goddess fulfills the wishes of her devotees.

g. After the temple darshan either trek back downhill or use the udan khatola (Ropeway)

h. From Manasa Devi drive to Rishikesh today.

i. Check in to the homestay at Rishikesh, which is a stone’s throw away from the Ganges.
Rest & unwind,

j. Today before the sunset, take a walking tour of Janki Pul & head to Parmarth Niketan for evening aarti.

k. Once you reach Parmarth take a seat facing the gigantic idol of Lord Shiva on the Ganges.

l. Attend the breathtaking evening aarti at Parmarth.

m. Walk back to the homestay.

n. Dinner & overnight in Rishikesh.

a. Get up before the sunrise & be driven to Kunja Puri temple in a drive of 1 hour.

b. After parking your vehicle one has to walk some 300 stairs to reach the temple premises.

c. Darshan at the temple during the sunrise hours is a spiritual moment in itself.

d. After the Darshan spend some time watching the Himalayan snow capped peaks around Kunjapuri.

e. From the temple be driven to Rishikesh, following the River Ganga.

f. Today post breakfast, check out & drive to Bharat Mandir in a drive of 20 minutes. Bharat Mandir, is named after Bharat Rama’s brother who meditated here. It is also believed that the Pandavas on their way to heaven stayed here to worship Lord Hrishikesh Narayan.

g. Around the temple premises are sacred trees believed to be at least 250 years old, one can choose to meditate around these premises.

h. Around the temple, there is a museum dedicated to the temple which houses many sculptures found during excavations here.

i. From the temple we will now drive for lunch around the ghat road.
Post lunch either drive to the Railway station/ Airport or head to Triveni ghat.

j. Triveni ghat is a sacred ghat in Rishikesh famous for the Ganga aarti, with thousands of leaves afloat with diyas & petals becomes a sight to behold.

k. The word Triveni means three, as it is the confluence of the three major rivers - Ganga, Yamuna & Saraswati. It is believed taking a holy dip here will purify your mind & soul.

l. Towards evening around 6.00 witness the majestic aarti facing the Shivalik ranges.

m. After the aarti one can leave homeward, either taking a bus, train or be driven to the airport.

n. Trip ends here.