#even so it meant that it was absolutely ripe years later for white women to try to rehabilitate.

[detectivenyx]

"twilight was a deeply anti-indigenous text with an abusive power-imbalance masquerading as a romance story written by a mormon and it was weird when white people tried to rehabilitate it" and "a lot of contemporary criticism of twilight boiled down to homophobia and misogyny and wanting to keep some kind of purity in a constantly-changing vampire mythos" coexist.

also donation link to the Quileute Move To Higher Ground initiative

[altughuner-blog]

Kankhal is probably the oldest living area of Haridwar. It is where all the stories of Shiva and Sati continue to live in the temples and on the ghats of Ganga. During my trip to explore the ancient city of Haridwar, I got to explore it intimately. I discovered so many facets of this place that I think it should be on your list to explore next time you visit Haridwar.

Once upon a time, Haridwar existed in and around Kankhal. With time it grew and the central part went into the shadows.

Haridwar is also called Panchpuri, consisting of 5 smaller cities centered around Mayapuri or Maya Devi Temple. Kankhal is one of these 4 cities.

Visit a Dharamshala in Kankhal

Ruiya Dharamshala

Dharamshala is a predecessor of hotels and resorts. These are basic facilities meant for travelers and pilgrims visiting popular places like Haridwar. Families would come and stay here for a few days at nominal charges. They would take up some rooms and cook their own food and live here almost like locals.

Rich people, typically businessmen, would construct these Dharamshalas to earn their own Punya or merit. Look at the lovely cyclic economy where the rich construct for the benefit of those who can not afford to have a house in every place.

Ruiya Dharamshala

I visited the Ruiya Dharamshala that was built more than 100 years go in 1917. Sharma Ji, the caretaker of the Dharamshala, took me around. A simple board hung beneath the arch on a painted doorway announced the Dharamshala.

Pilgrims cooking at Ruiya Dharamshala

The architecture is a curious mix of a typical Indian Haveli and colonial architecture There is a Chabutra or sitting platform outside its main gate. It has a huge courtyard surrounded by a row of rooms on all four sides.

Women were sitting in the corridor and cooking for the day. Bathrooms and toilets are behind the main building, as an independent structure. There is a huge field with a temple where I could see a lot of birds even in the May heat. There is a library with many old and rare books.

Despite housing so many people, each of who were busy doing their own work, there was a certain calm to the place. Smiles were genuine and smiles welcoming.

At Ruiya Dharamshala, I met the quintessential Indian traveler or pilgrim. They are not in a hurry. No peer pressure to click pictures & they have time for you. They are here to spend time with Ganga Maiyya, take a bath in her holy waters and read a few scriptures or listen to their Gurus.

I strongly recommend you visit a Dharamshala in Kankhal Haridwar or any other pilgrim site that you may visit.

Sati Kund

Sati Kund

The Sati Kund today is more of an area in the town. I discovered it by chance when I noticed it on our way to Daksh Temple Complex. It looked like a dried up Kund or a step well, fairly large in size. Stepping into the complex I found a lot of small Yagna Kunds and small platforms indicating that rituals using fire are regularly performed here.

There was no one around to answer my queries. A small Shiva temple was full of devotees in the morning, but none of them could help me with any information. They all come to offer milk to the Shivalinga.

Yagna Kund at Sati Kund

Opposite the Sati Kund, there was a board mentioning Ancient Sati Temple. There was no way to reach this structure that looks absolutely abandoned.

I hope someone does some research on this and tells us what these structures are. More importantly, what kind of rituals are still being performed here.

Temples & Ashrams to See in Kankhal

Harihar Ashram

Rudraksha Tree

This is the Ashram of Swami Avdheshanand Giri Ji. It is said to have the Shivalinga made of Mercury or Para as it is called in Hindi. You can not really see it as the linga is covered with many things including flowers.

Rudraksha Seeds

However, the campus has an old Rudraksha Tree. You can also see bowls full of Rudraksha fruit in various stages.

Sri Yantra Mandir

Sri Yantra Temple

There is a relatively new but beautiful temple built in the shape of Sri Yantra. The Temple is not just made in the shape of Sri Yantra, inside it you see beautiful yantras being worshipped. In a large hall behind the temple, a Katha was being told. On a side in an open pavilion, Yagnas were being conducted.

Daksh Mahadev Temple Complex

This temple complex is at the heart of the heritage area. It is the venue of the oldest known story in Indian philosophy. So many stories in Indian scriptures and literature eventually go back to the story of Sati.

Daksh Mahadev Temple

Sati married Shiva against the wishes of her father, who then responded by not inviting her husband to a Yagna where everyone else was invited. Sati visits her father’s home for the Yagna only to be insulted. She jumps in the Yagna fire and immolates herself. Shiva sends Veerbhadra in rage to destroy the Yagna and kill Daksha.

All the Shakti Peethas were created by the body parts of Sati that fell as Shiva roamed the earth holding her body and Vishnu had to cut it in pieces with his Chakra. Sati was reborn as the daughter of Himvan or the mountain. She did her Tapasya not too far from Kankhal, but that is a story for another day.

You enter the Daksh Mahadev Temple complex through a small gate with lions on both sides. A very simplistic imitation of what we see in our ancient stone temples.

Daksheshwar Mahadev Temple

This is the big temple in this complex. Different colors outline the contours of its arches and layers on Shikhara. Colors on a white background add a bit of vibrancy to the otherwise somber backdrop.

Ancient Banyan Tree – Daksh Mahadev Temple

A huge Banyan tree stands next to the temple. Layers of Mauli or the red and yellow thread around the tree tells you it is a revered tree that is worshipped by the devotees visiting the temple.

I get into a queue of people entering the temple. We pass by a Yagna Kund that everyone bows to. Some people even drop a few coins in it. This is supposed to be the place where Sati jumped into the fire. The temple was later built by her father to honor Shiva. Hence, it gets the name – Daksheshwar Mahadev – the lord of Daksha.

The temple is beautiful in a very simple subtle way. However, due to huge crowds, it was not possible to stand there and admire it or understand its architecture.

Ganga Ghat & Temple

Ganga Temple

In Kankhal Haridwar, you are never too far from Ganga that flows on its either side. At Daksh Mahadev Mandir, a proper ghat is erected. Almost everyone takes a dip in the Ganga. In May, youngsters enjoyed the cool waters of Ganga by swimming in it. There are proper arrangements for those who want to take a dip but do not know swimming.

Next to the ghat is a small temple dedicated to Ganga. Ganga is personified here in her anthropomorphic form. I wish the temple was devoid of all the ceramic tiles that simply take away the energy.

Sheetala Mata Temple

Ancient Murti of Sati

Right Behind the Daksheshwar Mahadev Temple is this Sheetala Mata Temple. Sheetala Mata is usually considered the goddess of communicable diseases like smallpox and chicken pox.

This is supposed to be the birthplace of Sati. The main Murti seems to be relatively new. Behind the main sanctum, I could find an ancient vigrah in stone. It has piercing eyes and 8 arms.

Dash Mahavidya Temple

Right next to Daksheshwar Mahadev temple, is this lovely temple dedicated to 10 Mahavidya forms of Devi.

Inside Dash Mahavidya Temple- Most beautiful of Devi Temples in Haridwar

At the heart of this temple is a giant Sri Yantra in Copper on a wall. Surrounding it, are the images of 10 forms of Goddess as Mahavidyas:

Kali

Tara

Tripura Sundari

Bhuvaneshwari

Bhairavi

Chhinamasta

Dhumavati

Baglamukhi

Matangi

Kamala

This is an important temple for the Shakti worshippers.

See More – Devi Temples of Haridwar

Brahmeshwar Mahadev Temple

Right next to Dash Mahavidya temple is a smaller Btahmeshwar Mahadev temple. The name indicates that this would be a temple where Brahma worshipped Shiva.

Walking in the lanes of Kankhal Haridwar

It is a typical old town in North India. When you walk in the streets, you discover some strands from the past that bring an instant smile to your face.

Haridwar is a temple town, so no matter where you step, you will find a temple in sight – old or new. Which ones you step into and which ones you pass by is totally an in-the-moment decision. Rest assured, they all will have a story associated with them.

Tailors

An old tailor

I chose to stop by a tailor who has spent all his life in this shop. At a ripe age of 70+, he still stitches a few shirts every day and is damn proud of it.

Vaidyas

They say every plant is nutrition for the body, and every plant in Dev bhumi Uttarakhand is Aushadi or medicine. Forests on the hills of Uttarakhand are known for their medicinal herbs.

Ayurveda Medicines being made

In the lanes of this heritage city, I saw a lot of Vaidyashalas. I stepped into a couple of them and met the Vaidyas. They were kind enough to entertain me despite the long queue of patients. They told me about the patients who come to Haridwar from all over the country.

I took a kind of guided walk around the pharmacy where the medicines were being prepared with minimal mechanization. They still use the pastel and mortar to powder the herbs. Many women say together packing the medicines.

Ayurveda is probably a lesser known small-scale industry of Uttarakhand. It was my discovery in this heritage city walk.

Haveli like Akhadas

The facade of Haveli like Akhadas

Walking around, I saw some lovely ornate doors and gateways. I assumed they belong to a Haveli of some rich family. On closer examination, most of them were doors to different Akhadas or religious organizations where Sadhus live.

Akhadas on one side led to Ganga on their other side. Can you ask for a better living space where Ganga flows right beside your home, as soon as it enters the plains from hills?

Sanskrit Schools in Kankhal

Old Sanskrit School

Somewhere in between homes and Akhadas, I stepped into an old Sanskrit school. It reminded me that this place should have a lot of Sanskrit and Vedic Pathshalas. Incidentally, the locals said most of them are not doing well.

What would stay with me is the lovely location of these schools, right next to Ganga.

Other famous landmarks include Ma Anandmayi Ashram, Ramakrishna Mission.

Travel Tips

Ghats of Ganga

Kankhal is located about 3 km South of the famous Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar. You can take any mode of transportation to reach here.

You can walk around the whole area if weather permits. Else, e-rickshaw may be the best option to see the place. Some of the streets are narrow.

Seek permission before you enter any private space like an Akhada or a school.

You can so all this in less than 2 hours. I think I spent almost a day there exploring the big and small things.

Enjoy the quintessential pilgrimage experience with the ancient aura.

The post Kankhal Haridwar Heritage Walk What To See & Experience appeared first on Inditales.

[skylarthespirittamer-blog]

Day One: Life is Precious/Dealing with Parkinsons

So here begins my journey of life questioning everything and telling the stories that have shaped my experiences.

Yeah, it’s a pretty daunting task when you think about “Life” in general. I realize that only a persons’ stories and experiences begin to shape the lives they have lived and how it may relate to others. So what do you start on day one when it comes to that intimidating and overly stressed about word, “Life”. Well, I can honestly say the word itself is something to start with. That one crucial word that makes living breathing things exist. Life! It is an absolutely precious thing that is put to the test each and every day you exist.

One big part of my life and many others in this world is Depression. Its a word that can define most of us as we struggle to find our purpose in life and survive the harsh changes fate deals us. Maybe this is my outlet to express myself whose been trapped in the asylum of my mind or maybe it’s a way to share advice to the sensitive ones much like myself and how to push forward through the sludge that is “Life”. Just like you, the reader, I have so much on my mind that screams to be expressed but who will even listen? Probably just myself but honestly, I am ok with that. I validate my feelings, my worries, thoughts and questions aloud so I never forget. I, personally, have never understood the gravity of the word until one nearly tragic event that has changed my life more drastically than I realized.

I warn you, this story is not meant for the faint of heart as I tell it in detail but maybe you can take some good out of something so tragic or else we would all fall into the same swamp known as depression.

Starting off, my family is what you call the typical, “white-picket fence” American family (if that’s even a thing nowadays). My father and mother owned a nice home in good ol’ Cali; as well as their own small business. They had 2 loving daughters and a middle-class lifestyle. “Life” seemed to be perfect but with time things always seem to change.

I never really did acknowledge the changes that were happening to my family but mostly my father. I had lived with my parents every day and I just refused to accept that anything aside from age could affect the mind of my father. He was always a strong man who looked after his family full of women and he was a proud one at that. Who could think something such as medicine & a disease could affect the mind of such a brilliant man who had a degree in anthropology and could teach you history in the most interesting way.

What hurts the most is when you’re close with that family member and begin to watch them make a steady and slow decline in health. In my father’s case, it was far to fast for his age and the condition he dealt with. My dad is at the ripe age of 67 (soon-to-be 68) and he deals with a disease called, Pakinsons. For those of you who do not know, the basics of Parkinsons; it is the uncontrollable shake in a specific part of your body as well as the decline in ones’ balance.

Each day, I would watch as my father shuffled his feet slowly from one room to the next and lose his balance nearly taking out furniture as he walked. It pained me to see the clear frustration written all over his features. As I said, he is a proud man who was always relied upon. He hated having to bother others to help him with simple tasks that we take for granted every day. It became so difficult, the family collectively agreed that it would be too much of a challenge for my dad to walk around or carry my little 1 year old girl. We cut it down to only sitting and reading stories on Pop Pop’s lap. That was enough of a reality check to realize my dad’s quality of life was declining.

One day, my fiance and I decided it was best to move across country to preserve the image of what my dad’s strength use to be and avoid the depressing fate of watching him grow old. To this day, I would not change our decision but it was definitely hard when dad hit his lowest point.

Medicine was not working for my dad. It looked like the disease was progressing faster and he began to lose all strength in his joints and abilities to function with day to day tasks. One day, my mother had helped my dad to his chair to sleep since the shaking of his arm affects mom’s sleep and causes his arm to ache if not positioned perfectly.

Once my mother had fallen asleep my dad decided he needed something to eat. He attempted to stand up and make his way to the kitchen but time and again he would fall. Unable to deal with the progressing of his condition, my father decided to take butcher knife from the kitchen. He walked towards the garage and stumbled down the stairs. At that point, he had given up hope and had sliced into his neck over 3 times. He lie on the cold hard floor of the garage alone and bleeding out.  My father had always expressed to me or my mother before that there were demons in his head getting the better of his logical mind and they would constantly cause him depression, paranoia and anxiety over odd things. We had always chalked it up to the Parkinsons but never did I think it would lead to a suicide attempt.

That morning, my mother searched for my dad who normally stayed in the living room. It was a traumatic sight, when my mother noticed the unlocked garage door and opened it to find her soulmate lying on the floor barely conscious and bleeding out. Once the police & paramedics were called, my mother also experienced the anxiety of dealing with the cops questioning her and keeping her away from her severely injured husband who apologized up and down as he was taken away in the ambulance. How do you explain something like that to your daughters when they are many miles away in other states?

Once we were told the details of the story, our family flew/drive/rushed out the next day to visit my dad who was confined to the depressingly plain,lifeless and musty smell of the psych ward. We visited him every day trying to hold back tears to be strong for him; each one of us thanking our lucky stars that he had made it alive. Luckily for my dad, his lack of strength and the shaking of his left hand was the reason he still lives today. Odd to think I would be so remotely thankful for my dad having the disease in that moment.

The hardest part of the experience was bringing my daughter to visit my dad only to be rejected. (with good reason even though I didn’t think so at the time). However, we were allowed to get her to sneak a kiss from him through the oppressive double doors which divided him from his family. Watching my daughter smile and recognize her Pop Pops at 1 year old had me break down and shatter into a million little pieces. She even blew him a kiss and waved goodbye after 5 months of not seeing him.

It was not easy to be slammed with such real emotions and anxiety over the reality that suicide can happen to any “perfect” family. To this day, it terrifies me to even hear people talk in a negative manner. Before, I always thought it was sad to hear about suicide stories, but I could never relate strong emotions to something that hasn’t happened to someone close to me, until now.

Only now, have we learned that my dad’s Parkinsons had a rare chance of causing paranoia and anxiety; so with the application of more parkinson’s medicine which warns of suicide attempts; it had only enhanced the demons inside his mind.

Later, both me, my dad and the rest of my family recognized just how precious life really was and how every life has its purpose; A meaning for existing. You may not feel important or feel that you have purpose but your existence is crucial. You were born for a reason and are placed in a point of time to affect someone somewhere. We learn from one another and grow as humans; constantly adapting to the changes and obstacles life throws at us. Something as simple as a thank you or a smile can change someone’s life. That is why life can be so precious and so crucial to protect.

[altughuner-blog]

Kankhal is probably the oldest living area of Haridwar. It is where all the stories of Shiva and Sati continue to live in the temples and on the ghats of Ganga. During my trip to explore the ancient city of Haridwar, I got to explore it intimately. I discovered so many facets of this place that I think it should be on your list to explore next time you visit Haridwar.

Once upon a time, Haridwar existed in and around Kankhal. With time it grew and the central part went into the shadows.

Haridwar is also called Panchpuri, consisting of 5 smaller cities centered around Mayapuri or Maya Devi Temple. Kankhal is one of these 4 cities.

Visit a Dharamshala in Kankhal

Ruiya Dharamshala

Dharamshala is a predecessor of hotels and resorts. These are basic facilities meant for travelers and pilgrims visiting popular places like Haridwar. Families would come and stay here for a few days at nominal charges. They would take up some rooms and cook their own food and live here almost like locals.

Rich people, typically businessmen, would construct these Dharamshalas to earn their own Punya or merit. Look at the lovely cyclic economy where the rich construct for the benefit of those who can not afford to have a house in every place.

Ruiya Dharamshala

I visited the Ruiya Dharamshala that was built more than 100 years go in 1917. Sharma Ji, the caretaker of the Dharamshala, took me around. A simple board hung beneath the arch on a painted doorway announced the Dharamshala.

Pilgrims cooking at Ruiya Dharamshala

The architecture is a curious mix of a typical Indian Haveli and colonial architecture There is a Chabutra or sitting platform outside its main gate. It has a huge courtyard surrounded by a row of rooms on all four sides.

Women were sitting in the corridor and cooking for the day. Bathrooms and toilets are behind the main building, as an independent structure. There is a huge field with a temple where I could see a lot of birds even in the May heat. There is a library with many old and rare books.

Despite housing so many people, each of who were busy doing their own work, there was a certain calm to the place. Smiles were genuine and smiles welcoming.

At Ruiya Dharamshala, I met the quintessential Indian traveler or pilgrim. They are not in a hurry. No peer pressure to click pictures & they have time for you. They are here to spend time with Ganga Maiyya, take a bath in her holy waters and read a few scriptures or listen to their Gurus.

I strongly recommend you visit a Dharamshala in Kankhal Haridwar or any other pilgrim site that you may visit.

Sati Kund

Sati Kund

The Sati Kund today is more of an area in the town. I discovered it by chance when I noticed it on our way to Daksh Temple Complex. It looked like a dried up Kund or a step well, fairly large in size. Stepping into the complex I found a lot of small Yagna Kunds and small platforms indicating that rituals using fire are regularly performed here.

There was no one around to answer my queries. A small Shiva temple was full of devotees in the morning, but none of them could help me with any information. They all come to offer milk to the Shivalinga.

Yagna Kund at Sati Kund

Opposite the Sati Kund, there was a board mentioning Ancient Sati Temple. There was no way to reach this structure that looks absolutely abandoned.

I hope someone does some research on this and tells us what these structures are. More importantly, what kind of rituals are still being performed here.

Temples & Ashrams to See in Kankhal

Harihar Ashram

Rudraksha Tree

This is the Ashram of Swami Avdheshanand Giri Ji. It is said to have the Shivalinga made of Mercury or Para as it is called in Hindi. You can not really see it as the linga is covered with many things including flowers.

Rudraksha Seeds

However, the campus has an old Rudraksha Tree. You can also see bowls full of Rudraksha fruit in various stages.

Sri Yantra Mandir

Sri Yantra Temple

There is a relatively new but beautiful temple built in the shape of Sri Yantra. The Temple is not just made in the shape of Sri Yantra, inside it you see beautiful yantras being worshipped. In a large hall behind the temple, a Katha was being told. On a side in an open pavilion, Yagnas were being conducted.

Daksh Mahadev Temple Complex

This temple complex is at the heart of the heritage area. It is the venue of the oldest known story in Indian philosophy. So many stories in Indian scriptures and literature eventually go back to the story of Sati.

Daksh Mahadev Temple

Sati married Shiva against the wishes of her father, who then responded by not inviting her husband to a Yagna where everyone else was invited. Sati visits her father’s home for the Yagna only to be insulted. She jumps in the Yagna fire and immolates herself. Shiva sends Veerbhadra in rage to destroy the Yagna and kill Daksha.

All the Shakti Peethas were created by the body parts of Sati that fell as Shiva roamed the earth holding her body and Vishnu had to cut it in pieces with his Chakra. Sati was reborn as the daughter of Himvan or the mountain. She did her Tapasya not too far from Kankhal, but that is a story for another day.

You enter the Daksh Mahadev Temple complex through a small gate with lions on both sides. A very simplistic imitation of what we see in our ancient stone temples.

Daksheshwar Mahadev Temple

This is the big temple in this complex. Different colors outline the contours of its arches and layers on Shikhara. Colors on a white background add a bit of vibrancy to the otherwise somber backdrop.

Ancient Banyan Tree – Daksh Mahadev Temple

A huge Banyan tree stands next to the temple. Layers of Mauli or the red and yellow thread around the tree tells you it is a revered tree that is worshipped by the devotees visiting the temple.

I get into a queue of people entering the temple. We pass by a Yagna Kund that everyone bows to. Some people even drop a few coins in it. This is supposed to be the place where Sati jumped into the fire. The temple was later built by her father to honor Shiva. Hence, it gets the name – Daksheshwar Mahadev – the lord of Daksha.

The temple is beautiful in a very simple subtle way. However, due to huge crowds, it was not possible to stand there and admire it or understand its architecture.

Ganga Ghat & Temple

Ganga Temple

In Kankhal Haridwar, you are never too far from Ganga that flows on its either side. At Daksh Mahadev Mandir, a proper ghat is erected. Almost everyone takes a dip in the Ganga. In May, youngsters enjoyed the cool waters of Ganga by swimming in it. There are proper arrangements for those who want to take a dip but do not know swimming.

Next to the ghat is a small temple dedicated to Ganga. Ganga is personified here in her anthropomorphic form. I wish the temple was devoid of all the ceramic tiles that simply take away the energy.

Sheetala Mata Temple

Ancient Murti of Sati

Right Behind the Daksheshwar Mahadev Temple is this Sheetala Mata Temple. Sheetala Mata is usually considered the goddess of communicable diseases like smallpox and chicken pox.

This is supposed to be the birthplace of Sati. The main Murti seems to be relatively new. Behind the main sanctum, I could find an ancient vigrah in stone. It has piercing eyes and 8 arms.

Dash Mahavidya Temple

Right next to Daksheshwar Mahadev temple, is this lovely temple dedicated to 10 Mahavidya forms of Devi.

Inside Dash Mahavidya Temple- Most beautiful of Devi Temples in Haridwar

At the heart of this temple is a giant Sri Yantra in Copper on a wall. Surrounding it, are the images of 10 forms of Goddess as Mahavidyas:

Kali

Tara

Tripura Sundari

Bhuvaneshwari

Bhairavi

Chhinamasta

Dhumavati

Baglamukhi

Matangi

Kamala

This is an important temple for the Shakti worshippers.

See More – Devi Temples of Haridwar

Brahmeshwar Mahadev Temple

Right next to Dash Mahavidya temple is a smaller Btahmeshwar Mahadev temple. The name indicates that this would be a temple where Brahma worshipped Shiva.

Walking in the lanes of Kankhal Haridwar

It is a typical old town in North India. When you walk in the streets, you discover some strands from the past that bring an instant smile to your face.

Haridwar is a temple town, so no matter where you step, you will find a temple in sight – old or new. Which ones you step into and which ones you pass by is totally an in-the-moment decision. Rest assured, they all will have a story associated with them.

Tailors

An old tailor

I chose to stop by a tailor who has spent all his life in this shop. At a ripe age of 70+, he still stitches a few shirts every day and is damn proud of it.

Vaidyas

They say every plant is nutrition for the body, and every plant in Dev bhumi Uttarakhand is Aushadi or medicine. Forests on the hills of Uttarakhand are known for their medicinal herbs.

Ayurveda Medicines being made

In the lanes of this heritage city, I saw a lot of Vaidyashalas. I stepped into a couple of them and met the Vaidyas. They were kind enough to entertain me despite the long queue of patients. They told me about the patients who come to Haridwar from all over the country.

I took a kind of guided walk around the pharmacy where the medicines were being prepared with minimal mechanization. They still use the pastel and mortar to powder the herbs. Many women say together packing the medicines.

Ayurveda is probably a lesser known small-scale industry of Uttarakhand. It was my discovery in this heritage city walk.

Haveli like Akhadas

The facade of Haveli like Akhadas

Walking around, I saw some lovely ornate doors and gateways. I assumed they belong to a Haveli of some rich family. On closer examination, most of them were doors to different Akhadas or religious organizations where Sadhus live.

Akhadas on one side led to Ganga on their other side. Can you ask for a better living space where Ganga flows right beside your home, as soon as it enters the plains from hills?

Sanskrit Schools in Kankhal

Old Sanskrit School

Somewhere in between homes and Akhadas, I stepped into an old Sanskrit school. It reminded me that this place should have a lot of Sanskrit and Vedic Pathshalas. Incidentally, the locals said most of them are not doing well.

What would stay with me is the lovely location of these schools, right next to Ganga.

Other famous landmarks include Ma Anandmayi Ashram, Ramakrishna Mission.

Travel Tips

Ghats of Ganga

Kankhal is located about 3 km South of the famous Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar. You can take any mode of transportation to reach here.

You can walk around the whole area if weather permits. Else, e-rickshaw may be the best option to see the place. Some of the streets are narrow.

Seek permission before you enter any private space like an Akhada or a school.

You can so all this in less than 2 hours. I think I spent almost a day there exploring the big and small things.

Enjoy the quintessential pilgrimage experience with the ancient aura.

The post Kankhal Haridwar Heritage Walk What To See & Experience appeared first on Inditales.