Dear Sri Kunjuppu,
You have rekindled my memories again.
The white water rafting in Ganga is organised from various places upstream to Rishikesh. Most popular one is from Shivpuri 17 Kms north of Rishikesh. In February 2001 I had attended a spiritual retreat arranged by our group Satsang Foundation at Rishikesh for a fortnight under our Spiritual master "M". One of the events arranged for the members was White water rafting. The starting point of rafting was Shivpuri, half hour journey from Vashishta Gufa on Badrinath Road and halfway dropping point was Brahmapuri opposite Vedniketan Ashram. Most of our members took the rafting. But I could not participate due to age factor and my high BP condition. During the journey the rafts have to negotiate six stretches of rapids including a drop of 14 ft. The members were shaken and drenched but excited. At Brhmapuri hot lunch was arranged for us, which was most inviting.
The Shiva statue now immersed in the floods (shown in the picture) is just opposite to Paramartha Niketan Ashram, in Rishikesh where the popular evening Aarthi is performed by young brahmacharis of the Veda Padasala run by the Ahsram under Swami Chitanandaji.
Regards,
Brahmanyan,
Bangalore.