RISHIKESH DIARIES

We Braved. We Trekked. We Conquered.

For months my college gang contemplated on a trip and boom out of the blue someone uttered Rishikesh, a small town in the flood-ravaged state of Uttarakhand. Heck, we still went ahead with it! Excitement levels were at the peak as D-day neared! The only tune was playing in each of their minds was that of a countdown. Countdown to Madness. The activities in store:

– River Rafting (6 hours spanning 26 km in the River Ganga). Not to forget it was in freezing waters!

– Bungee Jumping (JUST 300 feet up in the air) piece of cake isn’t it?

Bags packed, courage mustered, we set out. The minute we alighted from the train, the freezing weather sent a chill down our spines and gave us an indication as to what was in store for us.

6 AM and we take a dip in the Ganga

Fricking cold water!!!!! Couldn’t  feel our legs, body sensation went for a toss!

It was time to face the biggest challenge of the trip, The Bungee Jump.  A free fall from 300 feet up in the air. All that we had to do was to pray that our harnesses didn’t give away.  I have to say the way everyone jumping off and shouting their guts out made us go weak.

Notwithstanding any of it, we went ahead. One by one they strode towards the edge of the crane to be buckled up in order to take the leap of faith.

The long walk to the edge of the crane was scary AF!

Harnessed, given a pep talk by the experienced professionals out there, it was TIME.

3 2 1 Bungee!

As I took off the platform, I swear to God I went numb! A free fall from that height, I thought I was done. The thrill experienced can never be penned down, it can only be experienced. Bragging rights, I got guts!

Next up, a test of endurance. River rafting for 6 hours straight in the spine chilling and freezing waters of the River Ganga, and by no stretch of imagination, it was going to be easy, especially with level 4 rapids that cause the raft to overturn. As the water touched our skin, it was the same effing feeling how we felt when we took the dip at 6 AM on our first day! 12 rapids during 6 hours and Goddamn that was fun! Cannot count of the scenic beauty during the course of our rafting. Mesmerizing to say the least. The hills, so serene and so beautiful.

The trip was something that now when we look back, we can say that we outdid ourselves. The bonds formed during the college days just grew stronger owing to the trip. You never know who will be in touch and who won’t. I am glad it happened. It was the kinda, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara scenes.