Rishikesh

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My first sight of the holy Ganges River, near Dehradun. A motorized rickshaw driver poses for a photo. Dehradun My first shot of Rishikesh. The drawbridge goes over the Ganges River (a few hundred feet across) and is slightly wider than a foot bridge. Motorcycles and bicycles can cross it. Many friendly merchants occupy this place. Mostly they sell religious trinklets, as this is a spiritual center in India. The alley near where I was staying at the Sivananda Ashram. A friendly neighborhood cow. Part of the Sivananda Ashram, who founded the Divine Life Society in 1936 to disseminate religious materials and to do charitable works. Sivananda Charitable Hospital which provides free medical services to the community. I love the way they carry things on their heads! Taken from the footbridge looking toward the Himalayas The sun rising over the Himalayan foothills. The wind stopped blowing once the sun had risen. Picture of the Swami Sivananda occupying the same space when he was alive A monk walking on the grounds of the Ashram; there are many monks living there Getting ready for mealtime which was served in austere conditions, seated on the ground and you are expected to finish all of the food you allow the servers to place on you plate, because there are beggars who come to the gates of the Ashram to eat the food which was cooked but not eaten by the residents. Cleaning our own plates after mealtime. A monkey outside the room I was staying in. Looking down on the Ashram grounds, which was quite large and very nicely organized, considering it had been developed beginning in the 1930's. One more view of the beautifully blue Ganges River. Sivananda's residence has been preserved as a museum.