Dive Into Rishikesh
“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!”
And so was our exclamation back from the (appearing) ‘Adventure Capital’ of India,
the saintly town, Rishikesh.
The ride began with the audacious, the venturous, the adventurous trek accompanied by the blackout. Yes, Even the moonlight seemed to be obstructed. Hell dark! What could rescue us on the foot size pavement like Kaccha, zig-zag road sloping down to don’t know where???? Cellphones’ torch-light was like the greatest invention at that time with noone and nothing else to light our paths. Diversions on the way added more to our mixed feelings of adventure and dreadfulness. Go this way or that way. Holy God! Thanks to the few great people who balanced the luggage too along with their own selves so dauntlessly. “Come-on people! Don’t pause, We would be reaching any moment. Look friends, It seems to be lion there”. These chants could be heard echoing all the way when destination was unknown. The thought of animals around drenched us in fear and soaked us in awfulness. The approx. calculations of Kms. left could be the only soothing fact at that time. Breaths getting heavy, something we all wished for was water but Alas! Then, somewhere around in the middle of it, came a bridge like illuminated area. Ahhhh! Like an animal out of a cage. Inhale in the open air, feel relax, feel light. Okay, Enough of the phones solving the hour’s need. Lets pose for a picture. Click. Click. Click…. Phew! Being reminded of the fact that we didn’t goaled yet, Embark again. The same fuss began again motivating each other to carry on. &Hurrah! We reached Gee5 camps. Sigh.
Finally we positioned ourselves on jute chairs under some shed, eliminated our thirst, started spilling jokes, gossips etc. etc. among ourselves and updating facebook. The horribleness on our faces turned into gigglings, smilings, laughters after all it was a safe landing.. We relaxed for a while besides being instructed about the basics, dos and donts for residing in the camp area. Get up girls and boys. Still to move ahead. A little path like the earlier was yet there to terminate at the camps. (‘People please, take your luggages along this time’). The tiredness which engulfed us appeared to be diminishing at the very sight of bonfire and the mouth-watering pakora-like eatables near the camps. So all of us got comfortable to tune ourselves along with the beats of music. The stars above and holy river,Ganga became the witness of our ecstasy in the chirpy, perky, lyrical atmosphere lighted by the lanterns and the moonlight. We were swinging along the music insanely. After this, we stuffed our empty stomachs with dinner. When there exists sand allover underneath your feet, can you resist scribbling? Well, definitely not. The fun continued with the playing of dumshraaz. The drizzling along with the cool breeze blowing across the sea-shore gave us goose-bumps due to chilling sensation. On one side, fear of camps being destroyed by rains gripped us while on the other side, the moonlight, the shining stars above, the cool sand beneath, the river besides brought us immense pleasure. Really, We were submersed under the beauty of nature. It was so applaudable, so commendable. I wish I had 8 more eyes to turn my head in every direction and capture all at a once. We were being told that we were being surrounded by animals. Oh God! Goosebumps. After all, it was the jungle all around us. But still the night deepened and deepened amidst this aura of joy and fright.
The next morning was awaited to experience another gust of adventure. We refreshened, energised ourselves with heavy breakfast and headed for mountain rappeling. Climbing an almost straight wall like cliff wasn’t a simplified task, right? But a deep desire to go for something new, something abnormal overwhelmed the after-thoughts of any unfortunate tragedy. So we ended up doing it and enjoying it. Playing badminton on the sand worked like a tinge of salt added to the food to make it more delicious. A journey like this would have been wasted if not captured in pictures. So clicking, posing one after the another shot to carry along with us a beautiful saga of memories became our frequent happenings. Living each and every moment, we went for the waterfalls. This was again a tedious way out there but curiosity to discover what’s next ahead would make us forget all. The intensity of coolness of water pouring down the mountain shivered us deep through the nerves. Now, it was the time to traverse the same path and back to the spot from where the trek started.
Another and the most exhilarating adventure spot made our way- river rafting. ‘You Only Live Once’ but that living becomes worthless if there aren’t the seconds, the minutes, that take your breath away, that skips your heart-beat. For a moment, you are struck in wonder that What has happened??? You pause for a little to reflect upon. Your adrenaline rush is like never before- never before….. Such was this adventure. Playing with the majestic waves of river Ganges. Horrific! Terrific! It was like amass all of your strength, muster all your courage to surpass the turbulence of the river.At rapid points, we were like completely inundated by waves of water and felt like, ‘Please, Take us out soon’. Okay, now step outside the raft and we were like weightless floating bodies. The things don’t end here. Wait! Hold your breathe yet. Cliff jumping was another sport to add to our adventures diaries. Oh! those fractions of seconds in the air when we just jumped from the cliff. Don’t know where we were at that instance, don’t know what was happening. I fail at describing that. It was just a feeling high up in the air and then in the water, it was like gravity is pulling in towards the depth of the river. Then, we posed with raft in our hands like it was some sort of trophy won. Really an amazing one! Actually, amazing when we were out as-a- whole the same old one but frightful inside.
Atlast, we were to bid sayonara to this holy city, this beautiful city. Adieu to you too guys. Read.. Enjoy..
