Rafting in Tons River - Promote By Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board

As part of tourism activity, a national rafting championship will be organized for the first time in Tons river at Mori block in the district, where only three-four rafting companies operate, said tourism officials. The championship will be held in the last week of May.
Known for its whitewater rafting, Shivpuri, an idyllic beach, near the holy city of Rishikesh is considered to be the Mecca of adventure sport in the state. The rafting business, which has now grown to Rs 25-35 crores, is providing employment and business opportunities to hundreds of people. Over 100 rafting companies operate along the 70 km long stretch between Devprayag, Shivpuri, Kaudiyala and Muni Ki Reti.

The Ganga between Devprayag and Muni Ki Reti is considered to be an ideal location for adventure sport activity. Thousands of tourists, from home and abroad, gather here except during the monsoon season.

These companies are now targeting corporate houses also. Significantly, 90 per cent of the business comes from India only. Only 10 per cent of the tourists come from abroad. “The government must help us in bringing more foreign tourists rafting,” said Bhatt. But operators are confident that the adventure sport business will grow further in the near future.

Was Swami Nigamanand poisoned? - A Report

Amid allegations that Swami Nigamanand was poisoned, authorities today ordered a second viscera test of the seer who died after a four-month fast against quarrying in Ganga bed, even as Congress stepped up attack on the Chief Minister demanding his resignation. (Read: Ready for CBI inquiry into Nigamanand death, says Uttarakhand Govt).

Haridwar District Magistrate Meenakshi Sundaram has decided that another sample of viscera of Nigamanand be taken after the founder head of Matri Sadan ashram and his guru, Shivanand, gave a written request in this regard, said Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kewal Khurana, a day after the Uttarakhand Government recommended a CBI probe into the circumstances of his death.

Uttarakhand Minister Madan Kaushik had yesterday said that the government is ready for a fresh viscera test if the ashram and his family members are not satisfied.

Though the post-mortem report of Nigamanand had stated coma, septicaemia and degenerative brain disorder as the cause of death, Shivanand had alleged that Nigamanand died of poisoning after he was administered a lethal injection at the behest of quarrying mafia.

The death of Nigamanand on June 13 has sparked intense criticism of the BJP government with opposition Congress today demanding resignation of Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal
Nishank alleging that the seer could not be saved due to negligence of the state government.

"Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank should immediately resign from the post," he said.
Meanwhile, a tussle broke out between the ashram and seer's family members over taking possession of the seer's body. The family threatened to go on an indefinite fast if the body is not handed over to them for the last rites.

Laxmanjhula Haridwar Tour Packages

By plane

Rishikesh is in close proximity of Dehradun‘s Jolly Grant Airport (about 15 km) – a small, quiet and recently renovated airport handling just two flights from Delhi.

By car

Delhi airport to Rishikesh by car is a good option for a hassle free traveling specially for foreign tourists. It’s a 6 to 7 hours journey and on the way one can stop for short break at a nice and clean restaurant named Cheetal. Prices vary from US$ 80 to US$ 120 for an air conditioned car. There are two trusted taxi services listed below.

By train

A quiet branch line connects Rishikesh to Haridwar, but there are only about three slow trains daily. It’s best to take the train to Haridwar and continue by bus (45 min, Rs 20), by taxi (30 mins, Rs 500) or by shared auto-rickshaw (40 min, Rs 10). Travelling by train comes recommended because they often run empty and the fares are low (just Rs 4/- for a passenger service) & run right-time especially in peak seasons or “Melas” (Fares) when bus routes are diverted in Haridwar & share rickshaws try to make a killing. You can take “Vikrams” towards Lakshman Jhula (Rs 10) from Rishikesh station. You will have to cross Ram Jhula to reach Swarg Ashram(On the other side of river Ganges). From Delhi there are many trains to Haridwar, some of the best are: Shatabadi Express, Jan Shatabdi, AC Special Express, Mussoorie Express.

• Trains from Rishikesh
  • Rishikesh – Delhi 07:00
  • Rishikesh – Haridwar 08:10
  • Rishikesh – Bandikui 14:10
  • Rishikesh – Haridwar 15:35 Rs 4/-
  • Rishikesh – Haridwar 18:35 Rs 4/-

• Express:
  • Rishikesh – Jammutawi 16:20

• Passenger Trains from Haridwar to Rishikesh, Approx travel time 1hr.
  • Haridwar – Rishikesh 05:20
  • Haridwar – Rishikesh 10:30
  • Haridwar – Rishikesh 17:25

By bus

From Delhi the city is about 230 km away and is well connected with buses. A bus journey may take about 5-7 hours – depending on the traffic – and costs you about Rs 130-350. An AC Bus will cost about Rs 200-500. In Rishikesh, there are several travel agencies scattered around Swarg Ashram and Lakshman Jhula that can book luxury buses to common destinations like Delhi (Rs 250-500), Jaipur, Pushkar and Varanasi.

Baba Ramdev, Sushma Swaraj reaches Haridwar

Haridwar: On a day when Anna Hazare is sitting on a day long fast in solidarity with Baba Ramdev and against the atrocities committed on the Ram Lila grounds, BJP is determined not to be left behind. This as senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj landed in Haridwar on Wednesday afternoon. Swaraj not only met the yoga guru in private she also addressed a press conference.

In the media interaction Sushma Swaraj said that she had come to Haridwar as the leader of opposition to update herself and the nation about Baba Ramdev’s health. She said, “ His health has deteriorated, he has lost almost five and a half kgs. However his mental strength has only increased.”

Her statement comes on the fifth day of his fast and was similar to one made by Baba Ramdev’s doctors, who also advised Baba to break his fast. Chief medical officer, Haridwar, Dr Yogesh Sharma had said , “His health is going down. He has lost weight and is suffering from dehydration. He is not keeping well."

However, when asked why she met Baba Ramdev in private, Sushma Swaraj attributes it to etiquette and denied holding any 'strategic' discussions with Baba Ramdev about his movement.

BJP vs Congress, now in Haridwar

Soon Sushma Swaraj switched tracks from Baba’s health to attacking the UPA government and the Prime Minister and said that the Government had lost it's balance. “I am surprised by the PM’s statement that what happened at the Ram Lila maiden was unfortunate but unavoidable. The next day one of their ministers kept screaming himself hoarse saying that no one was hurt in the crackdown. This is a pack of lies as I have myself visited the hospital where at least 35 people are injured. Some of them very seriously. Including Raj Bala whose neck has broken, She has no movement in upper and lower limbs. She is battling for her life. She has shifted to GB Pant hospital where her surgery was done but doctors say she is likely to be paralysed for life. This is just one example.”

About being questioned that Baba Ramdev’s fast was a political conspiracy by the RSS, Sushma Swaraj said, “Janardhan Dwivedi called the person who brandished a shoe at him a RSS man but later had to retract his statement. The Government sees RSS and BJP behind everything .”

Baba Ramdev refuses to end fast

Meanwhile despite his deteriorating health condition, Baba Ramdev has refused to end his fast. Thousands of his supporters are also participating in a day-long sit-in by social activist Anna Hazare demanding a strong anti-corruption Lokpal bill in New Delhi.

Ramdev's followers continue to pour in from all over the country, raising anti-graft slogans, chanting holy songs and listening to sermons being given by religious leaders at the huge 'yagya shala' inside the Yogapeeth.

"We are with Baba till he ends his fast. There are many others who are also fasting along with him," said Lokesh, who has come from Haldwani near in Haridwar to participate in the campaign

Haridwar - An Amazing Place Of Peace

By Ginny Bansal (24th December, 2007)


I recently visited Haridwar. It is considered one of the most sacred places. People from all over come to wash away their sins it is nearly 250 kms. From Delhi. You can also attend the aarti that usually is scheduled to take place in the evening or early morning.

People consider that by taking a bath in this Ganga water people get a chance to wash away their sins, this place is always flooded with people irrespective of the seasons.

Another place that is very close by to Haridwar is Mansa Devi. People carry water from the Ganges to their homes because it is considered to be very pure. I think a traveler should visit this destination because this place serves the best example for unity in diversity since you can find here people from all places irrespective of there backgrounds.

When I Was Planned a Visit For Haridwar to Jodhpur

when it was time to leave rishikesh, tears and sadness, we caught a bus to haridwar where i had been about 8 years ago. i hated it then and my feelings had not changed at all. we visited the large temple on the hill, which was filthy and not hinduisms most attractive selling point, we ate the worst dhal ever in india (now thats a statement), were pestered to death and ended up thankful at catching that nights train to jodhpur. unfortunately neil had to leave, since he was on his way back to delhi, so we parted ways and we caught the train which was reported to arrive at 6:30 in the morning in jodhpur... yeah right...

it ended up reaching there the same time, that night, so without knowing this we had not brought any food or water on the train, thinking it was only one night, and the amazing thing was there wasn't a single seller on the whole train, no lunch cart, no station stalls, nothing. so we starved, got dehydrated, sat in empty carriages with the sand lashing against us for the whole day, pissed off and tiredly arriving in jodhpur that evening.

from then on it was simple. the rickshaw driver knew a great hotel, it was, we stayed there two nights, the rooftop had a close and amazing view of mehranger fort perched on the top of the hill, the restaurant was excellent, there was a brandy shop through the old town market and we met some great travellers there to spend the evenings chatting with.

then came the fort. all i can say is wow. this place was amazing, far exceeded any expectations i had, was much better than i remembered amber fort being, so we spent a long day walking around, sitting in the shade and taking photos, admiring the workmanship and size of the building. after a sensory overload it was time to head back to havelli, have a great meal at on the rocks, walk down to the brandy shop, sleep.

next morning we visited the markets and went to the hotel/palace/museum on the other side of town which turned out to be a waste of time anyways, so we headed back and booked tickets to go to pushkar.

Bathing Time dates for Ardh Kumbh

• 14 January 2010 (Thursday) - Makar Sankranti - First Snan
• 15 January 2010 (Friday) - Mauni Amavasya and Surya Grahan (Solar Eclipse) -
  Second Snan
• 20 January 2010 (Wednesday) - Vasant Panchami - Third Snan
• 30 January 2010 - (Saturday) Magh Purnima - Fourth Snan
• 12 to 13 February 2010 (Friday) - Mahashivratri - Pratham Shahi Snan - First Royal Bath
• 15 March 2010 (Monday)- Somvati Amavasya - Dvitya Shahi Snan - Royal Bath for six Akharas of Vaishnav and Udasi sects
• 24 March 2010 (Wednesday) - Ram Navami - Fifth Snan
• 30 March 2010 (Tuesday) - Chaitra Purnima Snan: Royal Bath for six Akharas of Vaishnav and Udasi sects
• 14 April 2010 (Wednesday) - Amavasya of Krishna Paksh (dark fortnight) of month of Baisakh (Vaisakha or Jyeshtha) - Pramukh Shahi Snan MAIN ROYAL BATH for six Akharas of Vaishnav and Udasi sects
• 28 April 2010 (Wednesday) - Vaishakha (Shakh) Purnima - Sna