What is the Dussehra Festival ?

Dussehra Burning Effigy of Ravana

Where is Dussehra celebrated?

Dussehra is predominantly an Indian festival in the north. Delhi and Varanasi are popular places to attend the celebrations.

The largest effigy of Ravan in India is located in the small town of Barara (about 80 kilometers from Chandigarh). He was 200 feet tall in 2013!

Elsewhere in India, notable Dussehra festivals are held in the Kullu valley of Himachal Pradesh, Mysore in Karnataka, Kota in Rajasthan, Bastar in Chhatisgarh and Almora in Uttarakhand. See the 7 best places to celebrate Dussehra in India.

In West Bengal, Navaratri and Dussehra are celebrated as Durga Puja.

Dussehra is one of the liveliest times to visit the Dadar flower market in Mumbai, as people buy gold marigolds for traditional decoration and worship.

How is Dussehra celebrated?

In northern India, theatrical performances and dances known as Ramaleela, depicting the life of Rama, are commonly held in the head of Dussehra.

These shows are particularly great in Varanasi and Delhi. Do not miss these 5 popular Ramlila shows in Delhi.
Then on Dussehra, huge effigies of the Ravana demon are burned throughout India. See the effigies of Ravan made in Delhi.
In Mysore, in addition to cultural shows and fairs, the highlight of Dussehra's 10-day celebration is the large parade of decorated elephants and mounted guards to escort the goddess across the city.
In Kullu, the deities of the goddess are carried around on colorful floats, and there is a lot of dancing and revelry.

What rituals are performed?

Dussehra is considered a propitious time to worship the tools used to earn an income. Nowadays, this includes laptops and cars! According to legend in the epic Mahabharata, Arjun hid his arms on a tree and when he returned a year later, on Dussehra's day, he recovered them safely. So he worshiped the weapons, along with the tree.

Ravan is depicted with 10 heads and 20 limbs. It is often thought of as a symbol of the negative or evil emotions that exist in human beings. Each of its 10 heads refers to an aspect that must be conquered: lust (kama vasana), anger (krodha), illusion (moha), greed (lobha), pride (mada), jealousy (matsara), selfishness (swartha) , hate (Ghrina ), cruelty (amanavta) and ego (ahankara).

According to mythology, King Mahabali told Ravan to get rid of his negative emotions.However, he refused, arguing that they were important for him to remain complete. As our head controls our destiny, Ravan's inability to control his emotions and desires has led to his final destruction.

Cooking course in Rishikesh / How to make chapati

Valley of the flower by Rishikesh Day Tour

Do you want to go trekking in India in the Himalayas? Perfect. But instead of frozen landscapes and steep peaks, choose the Valley of Flowers, the smallest Himalayan national park.

So particular, delicate and movingly beautiful to have convinced even UNESCO to include it in the list of human heritage along with the nearby and more famous national park of Nanda Devi.

How do you feel walking in a natural garden that seems to come out of a painter's mind? Imagine walking in the midst of 300 varieties of wildflowers, set in the Himalayan environment, where unique endemic species live in the world, rare brown bears from the collar, flowers called 'Lotus of the gods', birches and rhododendrons in the background and the Pushpawati river it flows beside you. Do not you feel better already just thinking about it?

The Valley of Flowers National Park is located in the state of Uttarakhand, in the district of Chamoli: we are in northern India, near the border with China. Although not as famous as the Rajasthan tour, it is a relatively small area (covering an area of 87.5 sq. Km) but with such a special microclimate that it has become the paradise of botanists all over the world.

The most famous of the scientists who were struck by the beauty of the place is Frank Smythe: he explored the Valley of Flowers for a long time in the '30s and was so impressed to write a book about it,' The Valley of Flowers', which brought the world aware of the park and where he wrote 'The Bhyundar valley is the most beautiful I've ever seen'.

Thanks to a set of brightly colored flowers, which create a very scenic effect: anemones, violets, geranium, gentians, primroses, rhododendrons, roses, all wild and spontaneous, an immense bouquet of wildflowers that would also move the soul more cynical. And in the background the birches, the peaks of the Himalayas (to be precise the 6,464 m of the Nilgiri and the 6,166 of the Rataban), the classic alpine flora, the purity of the air and the sky.

The Valley of the flower is a very nice place for trekking, but it can only be reached during the day from June to October: in the other months, the road that connects it to the nearby village of Ghangaria is hardly feasible. And keep in mind that even getting to the village itself is not easy, so trekking in the Valley of Flowers is not to be considered affordable for everyone. Seek an expert guide and find out well before leaving.

However, in addition to flora and fauna, in the vicinity of the Valley of Flowers, there are many sacred places that are worth seeing, also because they represent the door of another world, a sacred and still authentic and distant India. From mass tourism. First of all, Hemkund, the sacred Sikh lake located at 4,500 meters above sea level. According to the Sikh religion, on its shores it stopped to meditate on Guru Govind Singh, so be prepared to share the path with many pilgrims traveling for reasons of faith. And then the sanctuary dedicated to Vishnu, Badrinath, a sacred place for followers of the Hindu religion at 3,150 meters above sea level.

Walking Tour in Rishikesh by Rishikesh Day Tour

Stunning views of the Himalaya & Ganges are what that attracts to go walking &trekking in Rishikesh but the Himalayas is an amazingly rich culturally. Walking in the Himalaya to gain an insight into the Yogic culture in such an extraordinary and such an extraordinary place. There’s now a wide range of opportunities for those who are seeking Himalayan retreat.

Walking tour: It is a spiritual extension of walking experience for those who seek untold story and unexplored spirituality under the influence of Yogic Himalayan religion.

THE 3 GANGA AARTI IN INDIA: VARANASI - HARIDWAR - RISHIKESH

As anticipated from the map of our trip, most of the time would have been dedicated to the 3 Indian sacred cities in which the Ganga Aarti takes place. The Ganga Aarti is a Hindu ritual dedicated to the Goddess Mother Ganga, the most sacred of the Indian rivers, a devotional ritual that uses fire as an offering (Aarti, in Sanskrit, means removal of the darkness), is usually realized in the form of a lit candle in a small Diya (or simple wicks soaked in ghee (purified butter) or camphor) surrounded by flowers and allowed to carry by the river current.

The Ganga Aarti takes place every evening at sunset on the banks of the Gange river in Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Varanasi; however, the ceremonial is partly different in each of these places.

The most spectacular ceremony takes place every evening at the Dasaswamedh Ghat in Varanasi, near the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. It differs from the aarti of Haridwar and Rishikesh precisely because it is highly choreographic. The ceremony is performed on small stages, in front of the river, by a group of young pandits (it is an honorary title which indicates a scholar of religion, music, philosophy or the Sanskrit language), wrapped in saffron-colored robes with dishes for puja spread out in front of them. The ceremony begins with the blowing of a shell, continues with the rotation of sticks of incense and in the final with large flaming lamps that light up the night along the river. In Varanasi, the ceremony is held by 7 pandits whose movements of incense, candles, and songs are perfectly synchronized. In the air, the smell of sandalwood is inebriating and involves you in the atmosphere of the Aarti. To be able to attend the ceremony there are several ways, it also depends a lot on what season you are visiting the city. In summer, people start arriving very early (as early as 5:00 pm), to get a good position; attending the ceremony by the ghats is free, if you want you can also attend buying a berth for a few dozen rupees and enjoy the ceremony by the river, or, always for the same price, many shops nearby rent their balconies to tourists. In winter everything is much more relaxed, the tourists are much less and even arriving at the last minute there is always a good position from which to watch the show.

In Haridwar, the Ganga Aarti is held in Hari-ki-Pauri Ghat (literally "Feet of the Lord"), in terms of spiritual importance, Hari-ki-Pauri is considered as important as Dashashwamedh Ghat in Varanasi. Legend has it that it was born where the nectar fell (Amrit) from a plate carried by sacred birds (Garuda). The Ganga Aarti at Haridwar is perhaps the one that mostly involves the spectators, during the first half hour in fact, the prayers that resonate from the coffers of the temple are repeated in chorus by the faithful sitting on the opposite bank of the Ganges; in the second part instead, the ceremony returns to be more similar to that seen in Varanasi, although much shorter. At the end of the ceremony, hundreds of offers are released in the waters of the Ganges illuminating the entire bed, a unique show to watch. There is also a celebration (very short) at dawn, we have witnessed for curiosity but probably, if we had slept a couple of hours more, we would have earned.

In Rishikesh instead, the Ganga Aarti takes place on the banks of the river in front of the Parmarth Niketan Ashram. It is a much more intimate and relaxed celebration than the aarti of Haridwar and Varanasi and is also lacking in theatricality, many prefer it, for this reason, considering it more spiritual. Personally, I can say that, in any case, we are not talking about ceremonies made for use and consumption of tourists, on the contrary, Indian participation is by far the most important and heartfelt.

Usually, the ceremony in Rishikesh is not performed by the pundits, but by the residents (many children) of the ashram who study the Vedas (sacred texts in Vedic Sanskrit).

The ceremony begins with the singing of bhajans (devotional songs), prayers, and a Hawan (a sacred and purifying ritual that takes place around a fire, with the offers made to Agni, the god of fire). The children sing with the spiritual guide of the ashram around lighted candles under an enormous statue of Shiva.

What See in the Haridwar

What to see in Haridwar, India

Usually, we always recommend to take things slowly and spend several days to visit a city. In the case of Haridwar, since it is often a day trip from Rishikesh, we think it is better to draw a path that allows you to see all this sacred city in 24 hours!

A guide to seeing Haridwar in one day:

- a visit to the morning market; - a trip to the ghats in the day where you can take some nice pictures in the sunlight;

 - lunch at one of the most famous restaurants in the area, the Chotiwala;

 - a spiritual journey that touches two important temples inside the city (also accessible via cable car and minibus in a practically organized itinerary);

- return to the ghats at sunset to participate in the evening puja.

 Haridwar Heritage Walk

The central market of Haridwar: Moti Bazaar

A few steps from the main ghat is an intricate network of streets full of shops of all kinds. Between Moti Bazaar, Upper Road and Jwalapur you will find every possible commodity. This area of bazaar being very frequent from locals and very little from foreigners has really cheap prices and very original products. Lose yourself among stalls selling Hindu sacred icons, textiles and Ayurvedic products, it will be worth it.

 The ghats of Haridwar and Ganga Aarti: Har Ki Pauri and the others

Perfect places during the day to take beautiful photos of giant Shiva statues that rise in this area and admire the local people who relax and pray on the banks of the Ganges; in the evening a symbol of the celebration of spectacular choreographic pujas during the Ganga Aarti (ceremony of thanksgiving to the river Ganges) that is celebrated at sunset (but also, in a less spectacular way, in the morning). The main Ghat of Haridwar are 4: Har Ki Pauri is the most important, where the Ganga Aarti is celebrated and where most of the faithful decide to bathe in the cold and powerful waters of the river

Go down the great stone steps that reach the Ganges and you will see many Hindus who, holding tight to big chains anchored at the bottom to not be dragged by the current, get wet and play (literally splashing and laughing like crazy) in the waters of Mother Ganga, to purify itself.

To take part in the Ganga Aarti, check the timetable for the celebration (change according to the season) and arrive at least 15 minutes in advance or risk getting too late due to the crowd gathering on the banks. The other important ghats are the Gau Ghat where the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi and Indira Gandhi, the Ashti Parvath Ghat were dispersed where the ashes of the faithful Hindus are commonly dispersed and the Subhash Ghat near the most famous Har Ki Pauri

Eat at the Chotiwala

If you are in the ghat and market area you should definitely try the best-known restaurant in the area, the chain spread in several dining options in the Haridwar / Rishikesh area: Chotiwala. If some of the restaurants of the brand did not satisfy us, we instead enjoyed incredibly thali offered by the restaurant closest to the Har Ki Pauri, where they serve a thali so abundant to feed 2 people (not cheap but really great!) And really delicious bread. Consult the Tripadvisor page to find out more.

The most important temples of Haridwar

The Mata Mansa Devi temple is dedicated to the goddess Mansa known for her ability to satisfy the wishes of the faithful who invoke her. The temple is located on Mount Bilva Parvat. Pilgrims can reach the temple through a small trek (1.5 km one way) or with a cable car which lasts a few minutes. The interior of the temple is not overly spectacular but is very popular and full of religious souvenirs sellers. The view from the top is very beautiful, too bad that the fog often envelops the city in autumn and winter.

The temple of Chandi Devi is dedicated to a height of 208 meters on Mount Neel Parvat and is 4 km from Haridwar Railway Station. It is believed that here the Goddess Parvati (wife of Lord Shiva) killed the demons Chand and Mund in antiquity. The temple can be reached by walking (quite challenging for several steps to climb to the top) or via a cable car lasting about 10 minutes. Even this temple is more spectacular from the outside than from the inside. In the area (just 500 meters) there is also the Anjani Temple, reachable with a nice light walk.

To reach Chandi Devi and Mansa Devi temples in the cable car, you will be able to buy a package that includes both funicular tickets for 300 rupees and allows you to move between a temple and the other with an organized bus (included in the price). In this way, you will save and optimize travel times. The most convenient ticket office is Mata Mansa Devi Temple, which is a ten-minute walk from the ghats.

Overall we did not appreciate these temples too (very bare inside) but if you have the time it is worth to visit them for their great importance on a spiritual level and for the view from the top of the city and the mountains (unless there is too much fog to see something). The city swarms with many other interesting temples but the Digamber Jain temple is, in our opinion, one of the most spectacular in the area for the religious sculptures that adorn it both externally and internally. It is the only Jainist temple in the city center and it is really worth visiting for its particularly eccentric architecture.

Where to sleep in Haridwar, India

If you wish to spend a night in Haridwar, you will have several choices regarding hotels and guesthouses. The city, however, does not shine for solutions at an excellent price/quality ratio, so in principle, we recommend staying in nearby Rishikesh to save money and have accommodation with higher standards.

If you prefer to spend a night in the city, check out the Ram Lodge, suitable for those with reduced budgets. Indeed, it offers decent and spacious double rooms for 8 euros per night.

 If your budget is a bit higher you can visit Hotel Krishna Ji only 500 meters from the famous Har Ki Pauri ghat where you will find comfortable and clean double rooms starting from 30 euros.

 To overdo it and stay in a haveli-style residence you will have no choice but to book at the Haveli Hari Ganga, a precious boutique hotel with Spa, perfect for the most refined and demanding guests. Rooms of an exaggerated but very expensive beauty, with doubles starting from 90 euros.

How to get to Mansa Devi

The Temple of Mansa Devi can be reached in two ways: on foot or by cable car.

 Walking requires an uphill one and a half mile hike. The track is sealed but the effort can be drained during the hot months. So, many people prefer to take the cable car (also referred to as rope or "Udan Khatola" as the locals call it) up and down. The first cableway starts at 7 a. m. from April to October and 8 a. m. the rest of the year The starting point is located in the city center.

 How to visit the Temple of Mansa Devi

Devotees who visit the temple usually like to take prasad (offerings) for the Goddess. There is no shortage of vendors, or where you boarded the cable car or out of the temple. Expect to pay between 20 and 50 rupees for flower dishes and bags containing a coconut and flowers. The entrance to the temple is also lined with vendors selling everything from jewelry to music.

 Inside the temple, you will reach the footprints of the Goddess.

 Give some of the prasad to the pandits (Hindu priests) and you will receive a blessing. However, note that these pundits are very hungry for money and are known to openly request donations (with threats that desires will not be met if they are not fulfilled).

 From there, you will be amassed in the sanctum sanctorum where the idol of the Goddess resides.

 The rest of your prasad will be taken and you will be given coconut pieces in return. Quickly express a wish to the Goddess before she is again gathered forward.

 At the exit, you will find idols of other gods and goddesses (accompanied by enthusiastic pandits) to whom you can also pray.

 For the fulfillment of desire, tie a thread to the branches of the holy tree located in the temple complex.

Tips for visiting the Mansa Devi Temple

The temple becomes very crowded during the pilgrimage season (from April to June) and it is best to start early. If you go later and choose to take the cable car, you will also have to wait hours on the line if you do not pay extra for a premium VIP ticket
.

The downhill walk offers panoramic views of Haridwar. Be aware of the monkeys, and the men dressed as monkeys! (When I visited, there were men dressed as Lord Hanuman, who made money by giving the devotees a tap on the head with their bat).

There is another temple at the top of the hill, the Temple of Chandi Devi, which can also be visited by cable car or bus from the Mansa Devi Temple.

You can buy combined tickets for both.

Kumbh Mela

Haridwar is one of the places where the Kumbh Mela is celebrated every twelve years. In the Hindu legend, both gods and demons formed an alliance to create the nectar of immortality, Amrita. When one of the gods appeared with the urn (Kumbh) with the nectar, the demons snatched it, spilling four drops of this nectar on four places: Nasik, Ujjain, Haridwar, and Allahabad. It is for this reason that every three years a Kumbh Mela is celebrated in each of these four places. It is one of the greatest pilgrimages in the world in which the faithful purify their sins.

Today in the morning after breakfast, we have approached Rishikesh, which is the last town before entering the Himalayan mountains. It is a place where you can breathe a very calm atmosphere and that is full of small Ashrams (temples to stay and practice meditation and yoga at the hands of priests and gurus). There is a somewhat spiritual atmosphere and it is a pleasure to walk in total tranquility through its streets.

In the afternoon, we have toured through Haridwar. The city is full of Shadhus, highly respected people in traditional India, they are beggars by vocation and live exclusively from the alms they receive.

The environment around the river is amazing, full of people bathing as mere entertainment and others doing their prayers, etc. After we have attended the Aarti ceremony, one of the moments covers our trip. The river begins to fill with spectators as two hours before and street vendors who offer all kinds of merchandise to make your stay during the most enjoyable ceremony ... As dusk begins the priests with their songs and blessings, people bathe in the river and This is filled with floral offerings with incense that we made and we let them go, little by little, the flow ... There are pilgrims coming from all over India: Delhi, Bombay, Calcutta ... the environment surrounds you and we live unforgettable moments.

Rishikesh, Uttarakhanda

Rishikesh Uttarakhand

You will arrive at the city of Rishikesh after a trip on the super fast train "Dehradun Shatabdi" to Haridwar and then transfer to the hotel in Rishikesh, which is 25km (about 30 min).
You will immediately notice the marvelous spectacle of the Ganges river that branches off from the slopes of the Himalayas.
In the city, you will visit the Parmaniketan Ghat shrine to witness the ritual of Ganga Aarti. It is the most important place for religious ceremonies in Rishikesh.
Barefoot, hosts of devotees sit in rows on the steps of the Ghat. As the sun begins to fall, dyeing the golden river, bells, gongs, and chants resonate in the air.
Rows of celebrants hold plates in which ghee (Indian clarified butter) burns, making circular movements as a salute to the goddess of the river. It is one of the points for ritual ablutions, where devotees immerse themselves and offer prayers.

You will attend Yoga classes at Sivananda Ashram. The ancient traditional Indian art to keep fit is celebrated with the International Yoga Week, which takes place in Rishikesh, at the foot of the Himalayas and on the banks of the Ganges.
When practicing Yoga, a control is exercised over the forces of the body, mind, and soul. It is a very useful practice for disciplining the intellect, the mind, the emotions, and the will; allows you to have a peaceful approach to life in all its aspects.
Afterward, you will take a tour of Rishikesh with a visit to the Lakshman Jhula, a suspension bridge that crosses the Ganges. A pleasant 2km walk leads to Sivananda Jhoola, also known as Ram Jhoola. Beyond this bridge is the Swargashram area, a quiet and peaceful place full of Ashram. The small path that runs through the area unravels right next to the river and is full of shops and restaurants on one side and ashrams on the other. Swargashram is known for its tranquility, its atmosphere and its proximity to the Ganges.