On one of my birthdays, I went on my first solo trip in India, and I chose Rishikesh or maybe it chose me, who knows? Either way I was there on my birthday week and what a week it was. I randomly went into a shop and that person said to me, it looks like you are moving here. I laughed out loud and said it is impossible for me to move here. I just shrugged and moved on like it’s nothing, that’s what I usually do.
But here I was the next-to-next year, I had moved to Rishikesh quite magically I must say. It was totally uncanny and unprecedented. I really had mixed feelings at that point, and I was contemplating how long I must stay there to be honest. It’s not suddenly I fell in love with that place; it was a little bit opposite actually. It felt like a huge lifestyle compromise, and I felt I was put in a isolation capsule for space travel. Little did I know what was going to come my way.
That place slowly started to change and elevate me. I hit contentment of another level; solitude engulfed me in a good way. Sabr and shukr (divine patience and gratitude) became my friends. I had realizations of epic proportions, and I went into an inexplicable obedience and samarpan (extreme surrender due to devotion) with God. I stopped chasing money or fame or success. My life became like still water in a good way and peace rolled over me in epic proportions.
But this article is not about my spiritual experiences, it’s about opening a window to some magical places that still exist and that I can share with you at the moment. These places are lesser known to people, and I would recommend going there only if you have deep spiritual interests. If you are going there for rafting and cafes, these places might not be for you. I am not saying this in a judgmental way, but these places hold deep and ancient spiritual energy and codes and there might be a lot of clearance when you visit them so do them at a slower pace is all I recommend. Without further ado let’s go to the places, shall we: –
- Kunjapuri Devi Temple :- Kunjapuri temple is a Shaktipeeth where Maa Satis upper body and chest fell. I had the most magical experience here and the energy is heart melting I would say. I felt some activation in my heart chakra for sure. Sadness leaves you once you go here. I am not overexplaining my experience because yours might be totally different. It has some steps, but the sheer power will pull you up very easily if you are meant to go here.
- Someshwar Mahadev Temple: – I was utterly blessed to stay really close to this temple. It’s in civilian area and it’s not known to tourists at all. It’s on the backside of Ganga Nagar. Every time I stepped into this temple, a deep past life karma came out whoosingly and cleared. It’s surrounded by ancient peepal trees, God knows how old and is filled with cute animals. Once I sat down here for aarti and a cat came and slept in my lap for the entire aarti. (and post that I got the cutest doggo in my life, get the jist).
- The nameless 100-year-Old Kaali temple: – This temple is a non-descript temple on Triveni ghat with the cutest Kaali Maa idol and a really progressive pandit ji, easily my favorite combination. This temple has a deep calm protective energy. You might not feel anything, but you will come back with a gift for sure.
- Mahabharata Temple: – While going towards Laxman Jhula, right next to Divine café you will find a small temple door, or so u think. But like the door to Narnia, it will open up to steps going till the river and gorgeous statues depicting the scenes of Mahabharata. If you land in this temple, you are probably in some kind of war karmically or spiritually and if you are in the right, you will win. If you are in the wrong, you will learn. That’s what life is all about, isn’t it. Sometimes we win, sometimes we learn.
- Radha Krishna and Laxman temple:- These are very non- descript (I mean in appearance) temples near Laxman Jhoola but the combination of these two temples forms a rare Yog of getting you want and whom you want in your love life ( free will allowance is needed of course of both parties ). So, if you want to go to these, do these together. They are commonly known in that area, and you can easily find them.
- Vashishta caves: – Last but definitely not the least, this gorgeous gorgeous place is 30 mins from tapovan on the other end of Kunjapuri. This place is the second most peaceful place I have been to in my entire life as of now. First was a really small noncommercial monastery in Bhutan for which I had to climb a sort of mountain. I believe for reaching here too you need some karma, because it happened so late in my life while I have lived near Rishikesh since I was a baby. This place has the energy of repentance of Sage Vashishta, who lost all his children, but Maa ganga refused to accept his life. I feel if you have a karma of personal loss and lack of personal success like me, you should visit here. This place carries the energy to turn the tables of your life in that area, it will most definitely start the process but how long will it take, I can’t say.
- There are many more magical places and nooks and corners in Rishikesh to be explored but I of course cannot cover all of them in a small article. Hence, I named the most magical ones from one end to another so that you can choose at least to cover a few once you arrive here. Also, if u like miracles then you should not miss the Sai ghat near AIIMS, though I am not allowed to share but I witnessed many miracles on this ghat. Actually, I didn’t do what I came to do in Rishikesh at all, but I had a very magical ride to say the least for the year that I stayed here. I highly recommend that if you are into spiritual exploration then once in your life you must come and live here even if it is for a couple of months. Because this place is called the Spiritual Disneyland for a reason and it will most probably show you something really unexpected. Do let me know what happens and ask me for help if you want to come here and live, because I have it all down. Much love