What exactly is profoundness? Until I visited Parmarth Niketan Ashram in Rishikesh, it was probably just another word in my dictionary. And this was no ordinary visit. It felt like the divine summons. It was almost 11:45 PM, and we were returning to our hostel. That’s when some friends suggested we visit the ashram at night when the environs are very peaceful. Considering the time, I was sceptical and, to be honest, a bit scared too. But I went anyhow.
Parmarth Niketan Ashram And The 14-Foot Shiva Statue In The Middle Of The Ganges
The ashram was around 7 minutes from our hostel by bike. When we finally reached there, the view took my breath away. The magnificent 14-foot statue of meditating Lord Shiva stands in the heart of the holy Ganges. And when you sit there looking at him, everything around you becomes silent. You can have a sense of solitude with a connection only with him. My mind felt clear and relaxed, and my body felt lighter. Yes, the profundity of that moment felt like soul therapy.
As the soothing breeze of the Ganges touched my skin, I kept looking at him. With the calmness of the night in the backdrop, it felt that Lord Shiva has come down from Kailash to be with us. That energy was so pacifying, so uplifting. We didn’t stay there for long at night, but I revisited the ashram again in the morning.
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It Is The Largest Ashram In Rishikesh, Overlooking The Himalayas
The Parmarth Niketan Ashram lies on the banks of the Ganges and dates back to 1942. It is the largest ashram in Rishikesh and has a beautifully landscaped lawn overlooking the mighty Himalayas. While visiting the Parmarth Niketan Ashram, keep in mind that here, the Ganges river is referred to as Ganga Maiya. When we arrived, a young boy was sitting on the banks, dipping his feet in the water. A local came and immediately rebuked him. Because dipping your feet in the Ganges means disrespecting mother Ganga.
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The ashram has accommodation options, and daily yoga practises are carried out here. The glorious Hanuman statue at Parmarth Niketan Ashram opens his heart to show Shiva and Parvati. The chariot from the Mahabharata adorns the ashram’s entrance to the ghat. The ashram’s architectural splendour and serene aura honour spirituality.
If you want to experience heaven on earth, Parmarth Niketan Ashram is a must-visit. Har Har Mahadev!
Cover Image Courtesy: Instagram/Suchismita Pal ( Images clicked by Ritesh Mishra)
First Published: February 06, 2023 5:54 PM