Someone asked about the picture on my blog - this is the holy temple Gita Bhawan in Rishikesh
Fast Facts
Altitude 356 meters above sea level
Population 59,671
Languages Spoken Garhwali, Hindi and English
Best Time to Visit April to June or September to October. (notice - not August!)
From http://www.gitapress.org/gita_bhawan.htm
Gita Bhawan is situated on the banks of the holy river Ganges, amidst the Himalayan mountains at Swargashram, Rishikesh. It consists of a very large complex comprising discourse halls and over 1000 rooms available free of charge for the stay of devotees. Regular discourses are organised. A large number of devotees visit and stay here for holy Ganges dip, listening to discourses and sadhana & meditation. During the summer months (end -April to early-July), day-long special Satsang programs are arranged and devotees flock in thousands to attend it.
For the convenience of the devotees, simple vegetarian food, kitchen & grocery items and Indian sweets are available at very moderate price. Other conveniences include Laxmi-Narayan Tample, free ferry boat service, Gita Press book shop, cloth shop, Ayurvedic department, etc. Saints are provided free food and cloth.
In the Ayurvedic department, medicines are prepared according to scriptures from Himalayan herbs using Ganges water. They are distributed by the free dispensary and are available for sale also.
The ancient Banyan tree within the complex deserves mention. It has been a site for penance of various saints like Swami Ramtirth. Presently, the tree and the surrounding woods on the banks of the Ganges, offer many quiet and peaceful spots for sadhana and meditation. Two well-built bathing-ghats in front of Gita Bhawan 1 and 3 provide young and old, the opportunity for a holy dip in the Ganges.
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