Anand Mahindra became emotional after seeing Rishikesh, remembered old days

As soon as the name of Rishikesh, famous as the spiritual capital of India and the gateway to Devbhoomi Uttarakhand, comes to mind, the banks of Ganga, the echo of bells of evening aarti and a peaceful form of yoga-meditation come to mind. But with time, like every city, the face of Rishikesh has also changed a lot. Recently, the country’s well-known industrialist and Chairman of Mahindra Group, Anand Mahindra, while reliving his old memories of Rishikesh, shared a memoir which has created a stir on social media. Anand Mahindra has described in very deep words the huge difference between the Rishikesh of his old days and the modern Rishikesh of today. This post of his is not only a box of old memories, but it also makes one realize how this city situated in the lap of nature has, over time, transformed into a unique confluence of modernity and spirituality.

Anand Mahindra is very active on social media platforms and often shares information or thoughts that impact people deeply. He has an old and deep connection with Rishikesh. When he recently remembered the old era of this city, those golden memories of the past came alive in his mind when the race of modernity was not so fast here. He told how there has been a world of difference between Rishikesh then and now. Where earlier there used to be solitude, peace and only huts or ashrams of sages and saints on the banks of Ganga, today this city has become a global hub of adventure tourism, luxury resorts, café culture and tourists coming from India and abroad. However, even amidst this storm of development, the original soul of Rishikesh i.e. the purity of Ganga and its spiritual energy still remains the same, which attracts everyone towards itself.

In the last few decades, Rishikesh has transformed itself from just a religious city to the ‘Yoga Capital’ of the world and the ‘Adventure Capital’ of India. From Lakshman Jhula and Ram Jhula built on the river Ganga to the newly built modern bridges, there has been a huge change in the settlement here. Today, youth flock here to enjoy exciting activities like river rafting, bungee jumping, cliff jumping and camping. Modern cafes and wellness centers opened at various places have also attracted foreign tourists. Pointing towards this change, Anand Mahindra underlined how a quiet and simple looking town is shining as a modern tourist destination on the world stage today, but amidst this modernity, we equally need to preserve its natural beauty and environment.

Even though there has been a huge crowd of tourists and commercial activities in the main city, even today there are some hidden and untouched places (Hidden Gems) in Rishikesh and its surrounding areas which are far away from the noise of modernity and have preserved their ancient peace. If you also want to feel the real soul of Rishikesh, then based on these experiences and local memories of Anand Mahindra, you must visit these five beautiful places:

1. Quiet corners and inner hermitages of Muni Ki Reti: Away from the hustle and bustle of the main market, the quiet parts of Muni Ki Reti where even today the devotees remain engrossed in meditation and yoga practice, will make you feel inner peace.

2. Vashishtha Gupha: Located at a short distance from the banks of Ganga, this ancient cave is centuries old. It is believed that Maharishi Vashishtha performed rigorous penance here. The deep peace that one gets after entering the cave cannot be found in any corner of the world.

3. Previous Track of Neelkanth Mahadev Temple: Apart from the path to the main temple, the old trekking routes passing through forests and mountains are no less than a paradise for nature lovers. The greenery and pure air here fascinates the mind.

4. Forests and natural streams past Swargashram: A walk through the serene forests of Swargashram spread in the foothills of the Garhwal Himalayas and spending time near the small natural streams flowing there will take you completely away from the glare of the city.

5. Area around Phool Chatti: This place, famous all over the world for yoga and meditation, is very close to nature. The valleys here and the gurgling flow of the Ganga are still largely untouched by the crowd of tourists and are delightful.

This emotional message from Anand Mahindra forces us to think about how important the balance between development and environment is. Rishikesh is not just a place to visit, but it is a land of introspection and mental peace where every person feels refreshed. Whether you are a spiritual traveler or an adventure lover, both the old and new aspects of Rishikesh will attract you. There is a need that we preserve the divinity and sanctity of this holy city and preserve its natural beauty for the coming generations.