Haridwar-Rishikesh in times of Corona Virus

                  Haridwar-Rishikesh in times of Corona Virus 

I had booked the trip to Haridwar-Rishikesh a month back. Now with the Corona virus making headlines across the world, I had to decide if I wanted to make the trip or stay put. Since the number of cases was still low and the government had not yet issued an advisory, I decided to proceed as per plan. I have great faith in God. I surrendered myself to Him and left Mumbai.

My flight landed in New Delhi at 8 am that day, and the cab that I had booked from Delhi Airport  took me to Haridwar where I was to spend the day.

As soon as I got a cab from Delhi Airport straight way I went to Chidambaram Restra at Lodi Colony Delhi. This is my favourite restra for South Indian Food. I had yummy breakfast there and left for Haridwar.

 It was 2 pm when I reached Hotel Vinayak, Haridwar , which is 2 km from Haridwar  railway station and 3 km from the ghat where the Ganga aarti is held. Hotel Vinayak is clean, spacious and conveniently located. 
The staff is friendly and helpful too. I took a bath, freshened up and had lunch, which was delicious. After a short nap, I was ready to leave for the Ganga aarti. It was 4.30 when I stepped out and a short drive in an electric rickshaw followed. It was a beautiful sight. No person has been found positive for the Corona Virus so far and therefore the epidemic was on nobody's mind. 

All the people assembled there had the love for Mother Ganga on their minds. After exploring some temples, streets and sampling the busy life on the street, we joined the crowd of over a thousand people on the ghat of the Ganga for the

aarti. It was 6.30 pm and the sun had already set. The Brahmans dressed in their traditional wear, the lamps with several lights reflected in the river of the Ganga and the chanting of mantras created a magical spell. The weather took a bad turn. It was windy and it began to rain. Despite the inconvenience, nobody left. People sought shelter under the stairs, and awnings of shops and the temple compound on the banks but nobody left. On our return, I visited several other hotels that overlooked the Ganga and found them to be not only beautiful but also affordable.

It was late when I returned to Hotel Vinayak, where I was served a delicious dinner. I would definitely recommend the place to you.

I woke up the next morning and drove to Rishikesh where I visited Ram Jhula, Lakshman Jhula, and several other temples. Again, as there was no known case of corona virus infection in the city and people were not really worried. The streets were busy, the air was clean and the people were busy with their pooja, archana and temple visits. I also collected Ganga Jal from here.

My trip ended with a visit to New Delhi where people were a little worried because of the Virus. I visited the Qutub Minar, (wearing a mask and carrying sanitizer )which is something without which a trip to Delhi is incomplete before boarding a flight to Mumbai. 

I am typing this in my house safe and sound. I hope you and your loved ones are safe too. Stay positive. Stay safe.