Rishekesh 24th - 28th August

We arrived to the usual barrage of touts vieing for our money, it was a day of traveling from Dehradun to Hardiwar to Rishekesh but quite a laid back and swift journey. The town itself is not revered as a place to stay but an area close, Laksmanjula, is where the holy action kicks off. This is what we have come to Rishekesh for to witness. Its the point where the ganges leaves the mountains and serges through the plains of India. The place is plagued with baba's on the plifer, pilgrims for mediation, yoga or people who simply want to perform puja on the banks. The beatles came here - ringo described it as butlins....hmmm I think much has changed.
I again had masses of washing to be done by hand so our room quickly became widow tawnkey's, but our clothes dried quick as we have noticed a big change in the weather since Renuka - Very hot and very wet.
Our first glimpse of the ganges really struck us, its so huge! especially at this time ... Monsoon. The bathing ghats have chains and ropes incopurated into the design to prevent people being swept away, which does happen occasionally.
Unfortunuatly is rained everyday we where here, lots, David didnt like the place and I didnt really get much of a good vibe from it, I dont think the constant rain helped. It seems there are just too many people making profit from the whole religious razzmataz that goes on here. Yet many people that visit do love the place, we met up with our friend Ifat on our last day only, unfortunatly and she was buzzing off the place, good to see how different places are good for different people.