VILLAGE LIFE ON THE BANKS OF THE GANGES

Today after a leisurely walk across the mighty swing bridge from one half of Rishikesh town of Ashrams to the other we were stopping to feed animals of all kinds. Many monkeys who seem to run the place, cows who wander from one banana peel to another, or just stand looking with longing at the fruit carts that have grapes and other lucious things to eat. This morning after having a very nice cup of chai in a local 4 table tea shop, about 20 sets of shiny beady eyes were watching with extreme dedication hoping against hope that we would take it upon ourselves to offer them a morsel of food. Dogs of all sizes, just sat and watched and waited and dare I suggest they prayed. Too much for me, so I bought some bread roll and we shared it between them as well as a calf and cow.

Afterwards Seetha and I sat down at the Ganges and chanted the Lalita Sahasranama with the chilly morning air keeping us focussed.

Last night the Arati on the Ganges was really something to listen to and to watch. The Swamiji who runs the Ashram has really an amazing set up here for people from all over Inida and around the world. It is superbly run, on a very simple and aesthetic way with all of us visitors being given lots of space, we don't seem to crash into ech other, and are absorbed into the flow of the Ashram.

TheAshram runs varying programs all the time servicing those who come to take refuge there. There are many Indians who come and stay just for peace and pilgrimage. Westerners such as myself, come for specific programs - one just finished last week of a similar nature to the one we are attending. Then there are the many young boys and girls in strict spiritual training - they all wear uniforms. The boys are dressed in bright yellow lungis and the girls in brigh orange saris.

In the gardens at the Ashram are so many life sized sculptures of and sages. The grounds are like a museum of Indian Culture. Very amazing. At the front entrance on each side of the gateway are two gigantic gum trees. Such beautiful specimens. They seem to like the environment.

The mountains touch the back of the Ashram and are constantly in different moods as is the river just in front of the Ashram. Sometimes fast flowing and other times still and appears to be tidal. Of course at the waters edge we have dipped our feet and thrown water over our heads and prayed for the happiness of all beings.

Walking through the small streets packed on either side with stalls offering everything one's heart could desire. Amazing book shops offering books on yoga and everything else of yoga lore, Cd's playing everywhere such perfect music for classes and relaxation. Very intoxicating. We just dawdle at snail's pace. Anywhere you would like to point your camera is a perfect shot - but to be honest I feel a little uncomfortable at times, and am happy to see even Indian vistors taking shots.

Whilst crossing the swing bridge, we stopped to see what people were looking at over the edge. Huge fish about the size of sharks were swirling about beneath and it became apparent that people were tossing down something for them to eat. Yesterday we saw someone rolling long strands of chappati mix and then cutting into small pieces and rolling them. Well that is apparently the food for these fish. It costs 5 rupees to purchase a handfull. So of course I did and tossed them over and within a split second the fish got them, almost before they touched the water.

We are literally in sadhu land and if anyone ever had a fixation on the colour of the swami cloth, here it is more common than any other colour. Sadhus everywhere, living under this and that, lying on benches, squatting and begging. Some getting totally stoned in Shiva's back garden (the Ganges are Shiva's back garden), it takes discrimination not to get involved with these orange cladded beings. They live on handouts and bask by the Ganges. It is a complete culture within itself. The gullible westerners who want to reach enlightenment donate to these orange men, but I harden my heart and go for the animals and simply smile at the sadhus. They always smile the sweetest and undertanding smiles with their lovely liquid brown eyes of ancient times picturing life in all its maya and delusion.

Truly what a wonderful place we find ourselves in, and we both agreed that we are already fulfilled and the yoga part is secondary to this experience we have had up to date.

Our little sleeping cubicles are clean and quiet and we slept very well on the first night. The Ashram food is clean, simple, tasty and minimal. Very yogic and just right.

I have taken many photos but this internet place cannot upload, so I will try again in a day or two somewhere else.

INTERNATIONAL YOGA FESTIVAL IN RISHIKESH, INDIA

Welcome to the first Blog entry for Nirvana Yoga Tours.  

My name is Eugenie Knox and yoga has been my way of life for over 30 years.  Recently I have relinquished my role as Director of Dance of Life Yoga Studio and have formed a new and exciting venture taking groups of interested souls on Yoga Tours to Vietnam and India.  

2009 Plans have turned into reality and I am off to the Northern part of India at the sacred foot of the Himalayas to participate in an International Yoga Festival.  It is for one week and encompasses many forms of Yoga and its philosophical roots.  

Rishikesh is well known as a Hindu pilgrimage site and for thousands of years pilgrims have sought spiritual refuge there.  

Nowadays with the influx of Western civilisation and the thirst for the spirituality of India many people flock to such sacred sites.   I have always dreamed of going to Rishikesh and at last after 9 times to India, the Gods have smiled upon me and allowed me the time and space to go and seek solace there.  

The Festival has many Indian yogis and rishis as well as western teachers to add to the eclectic mix.   There will be Iyengar yoga, Astanga yoga as well as more gentle styles for the physical body, whilst Pranayama, Yoga Nidra and Meditation will be very much part of the time in class to still the mind as well.

The daily highlight will be the magical Arati on the banks of the Ganges at sunset.  Arati is the waving of the flames and chanting of mantras for all life flowing from the Himalayas to all living Beings.

The Festival is for one full week, and afterwards I am then free to explore places that have always resonated with my innermost being.  Haridwar and Varanasi are places where sages and saints have been born, meditated and realized the Self.  During the following two weeks after the Yoga Festival, I will be pre-planning a future Nirvana Yoga Tour for like minded students and friends for later in 2009.

And it seems Amma may be in Her Ashram in Kerala, South India and I can visit Her there before returning to Australia.

You may like to check the website for the Festival.  www.parmarth.com and Amma's Ashram www.amritapuri.org.