Falling in love with the Ganga

The year was 2007, and we opted for our usual travel plans, excluding our three- and eight-year-old daughters. The weariness of traveling with kids had set in, and the allure of exploring a place without worries about naps or meals became irresistible.

We chose Rishikesh as our destination, mainly because it was the only place our daughters were willing to stay behind for. Little did we know what an excellent choice it would turn out to be. I discovered campsites on the white sand beaches of the Ganga, along with trekking and other adventures unique to the Himalayas. Above all, it became a personal story of falling in love with the mighty Ganga.

Ganga defines the place; everything revolves around her. Only a stay near the Ganga in the Himalayas could help one grasp why she is the most revered one.

In the age before social media, we booked a tent at a campsite on the Ganga’s banks through Khanduri Travels in Rishikesh over the phone. We had no clue what to expect.

As evening fell, we started our journey from Rishikesh towards the campsite, 16 kilometers north. Upon reaching, the Ganga was not visible from the road. It only revealed itself as we trekked down to the valley.

At the bottom, the white sand beach on one of the biggest rapids of the Ganga unfolded in all its magnanimity. The deafening sound of the rapidly flowing Ganga on the rocky terrain created a soothing, meditative silence, embraced by mountains on both sides and encompassed only by the sky.

As the evening progressed, a cool, bright moon touched everything, turning the waters, the sand, and the rustling leaves silver. Joined by a large group of women in their forties and a roaring campfire, the atmosphere became both enthusiastic and romantic. It was an experience to be treasured for a lifetime.

The next morning was equally soulful as we woke up to the amazing sound of the Ganga.The sun took longer to emerge than its ambient light, which had filled the valley with a soft freshness.  We made the most of it by sitting, stretching, and eating near the flowing waters. The day was capped off with white-water rafting on a 21-kilometer stretch of the Ganga. We explored the waters, navigated through rapids, and experienced the colossal flow of the mighty Ganga— the cherry on top of an unforgettable experience.

That was the day I fell in love with the Ganga.

The following days spent in her environment only deepened the connection. The reasons why the Ganga has inspired painters, poets, seekers, sages, kings, and paupers become evident as you explore her surroundings. It’s unsurprising that she continues to wield the most important cultural influence throughout the Indian subcontinent.

The majesty of her waters, her all-encompassing presence, her valleys, mountains, rapids, flow, even her chilled waters—everything about the Ganga is mesmerizing.

In the subsequent years, I have returned to the Ganga repeatedly to deepen the connection I felt during my initial visit. Ganga has never disappointed me. Each time I visit her, she provides new insights, unveils fresh dimensions to life, and introduces new lands and people.

It is, again, unsurprising that she has inspired many spirited journeys, with travelers ultimately seeking to find her, understand her, and embody nature in the truest sense. When you find the Ganga, you know you are a step closer to finding yourself.