Rishikesh

I know it's been a while since I posted but it is a giant pain to use this internet cafe ...cannot upload pics from my netbook so it will just be no pictures for a couple of posts.

Our ashram Parmarth Niketan is situated on the banks of the holy river Ganges, called Ma Ganga here. It begins in the Himalayas and flows through Rishikesh, Benares, Varanasi and other holy cities ending up I don't know where....anyway, there are many pilgrims here for their yearly dip in the Ganga to cleanse and purify themselves. This is a very busy crowded place...cows, motorcycles, dogs and people wrestle for space. Loud as well, lots of tooting from horns and chanting from the pilgrims which starts at 5:00 a.m. the festival has been fun so far, many interesting classes covering all types of yoga, ayurveda, pranayama, nutrition, visualization, tons of stuff. Yesterday Shiva Rea, and American yoga teacher, led a class on the banks of river...oh...also got blessed by the Swami here at an aarti ceremony (lights along the river, chanting etc.)

So much to tell but I have to go....afternoon classes....take care.