Rishikesh is more than a destination. It is an experience. This small town in Uttarakhand sits unassumingly along the banks of River Ganga and is surrounded by green hills and open skies. People from all over the world come to Rishikesh to explore yoga, meditation, and their own peacefulness. For this reason, Rishikesh is often referred to as the Yoga Capital of the World.
The Ganga is the life of Rishikesh. Her slow flowing water and gentle splash continues to add to the rhythm and sacredness of living in Rishikesh. Many consider her not a river, but a mother who brings nourishment and healing. And when the time of evening arrives and Ganga Aarti fills the sound of the air with chanting and light from the lamps, you can feel time slow down like the whole town collectively breathes together.
Just recently Kaustubh, a reporter at The Central Post, tapped into a couple of foreign visitors who came to Rishikesh to experience yoga and Indian culture. Through talking with these visitors, we are given a small glimpse of how these travellers connect with this spiritual town that is Rishikesh, and the experience of yoga and Indian culture in general.
“India is a very powerful land”
Kaustubh met Matthew and Carlos, two travelers from Colombia and Canada. They had been in India for about three months. When he asked them how they were finding the country, Matthew said with a smile, “India is a very powerful land. A beautiful country.”
Their journey was not planned. “We didn’t even know we were coming here,” Carlos said, laughing. “We just followed where life took us.” From Delhi to the mountains of Himachal and then to Rishikesh, they felt guided by something bigger than themselves.
When asked about yoga, both spoke with deep understanding. “Yoga is not just asana or body movement,” Carlos explained. “It is vast. I practice bhakti, which means devotion to God. Yoga has many paths, but all lead to the same truth.”
He also said that yoga cannot be mastered in a few days. “Some people say they’ve learned everything in 30 or 40 days,” he said. “But yoga is a lifelong process. It’s about letting go of old habits and remembering who you truly are.”
Both of them felt that Rishikesh was the perfect place for such learning. “It’s not just about practicing yoga,” Matthew said. “It’s about living yoga, being simple, calm, and open.”
They also shared their love for Indian food. “We love it,” Carlos said. “Dal, lassi, especially mango lassi. It’s full of flavor and warmth.”
Image captured by: Rishikesh Pandey @The Central Post
“You shouldn’t believe everything you hear”
Kaustubh also met a young woman who had just arrived in Rishikesh to begin her yoga training. She had come all alone from another country. When asked how she felt in India, she said, “Good, actually. People from my country told me, ‘You’re going to India, watch out,’ but everything went smoothly. People here are friendly.”
She spoke about how people often warn women not to travel alone in India. “They try to scare you,” she said. “They say it’s unsafe, but I’ve been walking around by myself and not once have I felt unsafe. Everyone has been kind and welcoming.”
Her experience breaks a common misconception that India is unsafe for women. While it is always wise to stay aware, places like Rishikesh show a different side of India — peaceful, spiritual, and caring. The locals greet travelers with smiles, help them find their way, and make them feel at home.
She also mentioned how much she enjoyed Indian food. “Some dishes are spicy,” she said, “but they’re full of flavor and herbs. I really like it.”
Image captured by: Rishikesh Pandey @The Central Post
A place that teaches peace
Rishikesh is more than a travel destination. It is a teacher. Individuals do not arrive here solely to find some relief from their busy lives; they arrive to reconnect. The river, the temples, the chime of bells, and the simplicity of life all conspire to help one slow down and remember to breathe.
For the travelers that Kaustubh met with, Rishikesh was not simply a stop along the way. Rishikesh was a turning point, a place that opened their hearts to calmness and to be part of something bigger than themselves.
When the sun goes down into the river and the entire sky turns to gold, it is easy to see why Rishikesh attracts people from around the world. Here, people do not merely stretch their bodies. They stretch their souls.
