Hrishikesh146;s Ram-Laxman

All this talk about 8216;Ram Sethu8217; brings to mind Tulsidas8217;s depiction of Ram and Laxman in the Ramayana.

All this talk about 8216;Ram Sethu8217; brings to mind Tulsidas8217;s depiction of Ram and Laxman in the Ramayana. They are described as two ends of a bridge. Ram is said to be responsible, serious, ethical and strict while Laxman is the very opposite 8212; frivolous, joyful, jovial, full of humour. The bridge that connects both of them is a commonality of purpose.

It is said Laxman took his penance in Hrishikesh. A flimsy rope beneath Laxman Jhula, the first suspension bridge of India engineered by the British during the pre-independence era, is a reminder of him who might have used a rope to cross over the Ganga8217;s mighty waves. There8217;s also a Ram Jhula.

Both brothers spent a long time at Hrishikesh, going by the epic, and if you happen to be in Hrishikesh you can see how their personalities are reflected in and around both Jhulas. Around the Ram Jhula are numerous ashrams with the chimes of temple bells constantly in the air. If you manage to take a stroll on the roads around, just keep walking and at the last corner of 8216;Muni ki reti8217; you will see a damp isolated building that once housed the ashram of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. The Beatles spent time as spiritual seekers for six months right here.

In contrast, around Laxman Jhula, shanti comes with a price. Unlike at Ram Jhula, you will see hordes of westerners in the area, clad in colourful garments bearing the pictures of Hindu gods and goddesses. Life is a constant celebration here. As evening draws near, the place swings into action with scenes straight out of Hare Krishna, Hare Ram.

Life is celebrated with drums and guitars, and sometimes there are full-moon rave parties in the jungles around Neelkanth. All the restaurants here come with a view. As you sip your ginger tea and stare at the flowing Ganga, the waves of the river seem to mirror your thoughts. You are still yourself, but life keeps flowing around you.

That8217;s when you know that Hrishikesh has started captivating your senses. The swamiji at Omkarnanda Ashram explains, 8220;Hrishikesh means 8216;lord of the senses8217;. Water, trees and mountains are a part of nature and proximity to them means natural happiness.8221; Truly, Hrishikesh and Ram-Laxman seem so far from the heat and dust of politics.