Sure Travel Journey Vol 5.2 Autumn 2019 | Page 41

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and happier me. I’ve signed up for a
nine-day deep cleansing transformational
retreat with Namaste Retreats India that
promises to not only cleanse my physical
body, but also still my overactive mind –
no mean task.
Determined to fully immerse myself
in the experience, I have opted to stay in
the ashram and not with the rest of my
group at the hotel where the retreat is
being hosted.
I’ve cut back on sugar and coffee in
little like a fairy-tale castle. It has dozens
of shrines to Hindu deities on each level,
interspersed with jewellery and textile
shops. Walking south along the east
bank of the Ganges you’ll find ashrams,
an incredible bazaar, sadhus (India’s
holy men) and the bathing ghats – steps
leading down to the Ganges, where
religious ceremonies are performed at
sunrise and sunset each day.
My stay coincides with Dusshera, a
major festival that celebrates the Hindu
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Left: The view across the Ganges to the iconic 13-storey temple of Swarg Niwas and
Shri Trayanbakshwar. Above: A holy man, or sadhu, relaxing along the river bank.
“
Known as the
yoga capital of the
world, it is one of
the holiest places
in Hinduism, and
sages and saints
have visited here
since ancient times
in search of higher
knowledge.
preparation for the five-day detoxifying
juice fast that kicks off the retreat, and
I plan to abstain from all other vices.
Rishikesh, as an alcohol-free and entirely
vegetarian city, is the best place for it.
In addition to the fast, there are walks
in the mountains, yoga and meditation
– plenty of time for introspection. In my
spare time I walk the city, often in silence,
almost always with the local dogs in tow.
The most recognisable image
of Rishikesh is the view across the
Lakshman Jhula hanging bridge to the
huge, 13-storey temple of Swarg Niwas
and Shri Trayanbakshwar, which looks a
god Rama’s victory over the demon king
Ravana, symbolising the triumph of good
over evil. As night falls, fireworks light
the sky, musicians bring their song and
rhyme to the thick, scented air and
crowds pour onto the bridges and banks
of the Ganges.
It also marks the end of our five-day
fast, and we gather for chickpea curry,
palak paneer and deliciously spicy dahl.
Despite my now-full belly, I feel a new
sense of lightness and an overwhelming
sense of gratitude for the things that
truly matter: friends, nourishing food and
good health.
MAKE MEMORIES FOR LIFE // 41
“