Rishikesh

Rishikesh is probably not only Indian but world's capital of yoga. It became famous when the Beatles and all other famous people came here in the 60's. It's a great place: peaceful, quiet (for Indian standards of course), laying in the feet of Himalayas on both sides of Ganga river. Yoga courses, reiki, any kind of healing, ayurvedic pharmacies and food everywhere. You will see all spiritual and over-spiritual exaggerated Westerners here. There's plenty of Ashrams with old tradition reaching back the 60's. But rarely they are as strict as my ashram in Kerala.Music with mantras all over the place: hari rama and Om namashivaya aver and aver again. This is really unique place.
It looks also like a capital of sadhu's - homeless Indians wandering in search for spiritual enlightenment and realisation, which means they are everywhere along the way and on the bridge and since Rishikesh is such a peaceful place they can lead quite a peaceful life. They are also clever as when you pass them by they say "hare om" - kind of blessing - which puts you in uncomfortable situation: Am I suppose to give them money since we are all peaceful and God loving here and they great you in this blissful way or just ignore like all other people who hassle you in the streets. If give money then they are sitting next to each other so whom should I give? all 50 of them? These are dilemmas you face in India all the time.

I got cold again and actually I can't wait to see my friends back home.