Why I＇m haunted by my religion＇s dark side

Photos: From the Beatles to bungee jumping: Rishikesh offers much more than yoga

Kailashananda: A view of the enormous Kailashananda ashram from the other side of the Ganges, with the busy Lakshman Jhula foot bridge connecting the two sides of town.

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Photos: From the Beatles to bungee jumping: Rishikesh offers much more than yoga

Yoga: Rishikesh boasts one of the largest clusters of yoga centers in the world. This yoga school features a giant tree wrapped in red rope to signify its holy status.

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Photos: From the Beatles to bungee jumping: Rishikesh offers much more than yoga

Cafes: Enjoying a coffee or tea at one of Rishikesh's many cafes is a good way to meet fellow travelers. These two Italian friends met in London and are spending a few months in the country.

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Photos: From the Beatles to bungee jumping: Rishikesh offers much more than yoga

Local fauna: Animals coexist with humans peacefully in Rishikesh, although monkeys can be aggressive with humans if they spot food.

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Photos: From the Beatles to bungee jumping: Rishikesh offers much more than yoga

Haridwar: A tree is converted into a red temple on the Ganges in the holy city of Haridwar, a one-hour drive from Rishikesh.

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Photos: From the Beatles to bungee jumping: Rishikesh offers much more than yoga

Nightly ritual: Haridwar has its own nightly aarti sessions, which are less catered to tourists. Be wary of false holy men looking to fleece you for a 'donation,' however.

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Photos: From the Beatles to bungee jumping: Rishikesh offers much more than yoga

Feet-dipping: Dipping your feet in the Ganges is tradition -- as displayed by this group in Haridwar. But the river runs rapidly and the banks can be slippery with moss, so do exercise caution.

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Photos: From the Beatles to bungee jumping: Rishikesh offers much more than yoga

Rishikesh: Although the Beatles put Rishikesh on the map in 1968 with their trip to the Maharishi's ashram, the holy town on the banks of the Ganges river has recently become a hub for outdoor activities.

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Photos: From the Beatles to bungee jumping: Rishikesh offers much more than yoga

Aarti: Celebratory Hindu aarti sessions are performed nightly in Rishikesh, with music played and fire lit as offerings to the Ganges River.

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Photos: From the Beatles to bungee jumping: Rishikesh offers much more than yoga

The Beatles: The meditation hall at the former ashram of the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in Rishikesh is festooned with graffiti, much of it celebrating the Beatles' visit in 1968.

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Photos: From the Beatles to bungee jumping: Rishikesh offers much more than yoga

Dear Prudence: The Beatles Ashram has been open to the public since 2015. Although much of it has been let in ruins, meditation caves like these inspired the song 'Dear Prudence.'

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Photos: From the Beatles to bungee jumping: Rishikesh offers much more than yoga

Peanut brittle: A market vendor in Rishikesh Town sells fresh peanut brittle. India accounts for 16% of the world's peanut production, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

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Photos: From the Beatles to bungee jumping: Rishikesh offers much more than yoga

Bustling markets: Rishikesh Town offers a sight unseen by most tourists visiting the holy city. It's akin to the more manic side of India, with busy street markets and bustling traffic.

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Photos: From the Beatles to bungee jumping: Rishikesh offers much more than yoga

Kirtan: Kirtan players in Rishikesh chant mantras to the gods that last for hours, often playing to no audiences. It is worthwhile sitting in on a session, and participation is usually welcomed.

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7 of 14

Photos: From the Beatles to bungee jumping: Rishikesh offers much more than yoga

Kailashananda: A view of the enormous Kailashananda ashram from the other side of the Ganges, with the busy Lakshman Jhula foot bridge connecting the two sides of town.

Hide Caption

8 of 14

Photos: From the Beatles to bungee jumping: Rishikesh offers much more than yoga

Yoga: Rishikesh boasts one of the largest clusters of yoga centers in the world. This yoga school features a giant tree wrapped in red rope to signify its holy status.

Hide Caption

9 of 14

Photos: From the Beatles to bungee jumping: Rishikesh offers much more than yoga

Cafes: Enjoying a coffee or tea at one of Rishikesh's many cafes is a good way to meet fellow travelers. These two Italian friends met in London and are spending a few months in the country.

Hide Caption

10 of 14

Photos: From the Beatles to bungee jumping: Rishikesh offers much more than yoga

Local fauna: Animals coexist with humans peacefully in Rishikesh, although monkeys can be aggressive with humans if they spot food.

Hide Caption

11 of 14

Photos: From the Beatles to bungee jumping: Rishikesh offers much more than yoga

Haridwar: A tree is converted into a red temple on the Ganges in the holy city of Haridwar, a one-hour drive from Rishikesh.

Hide Caption

12 of 14

Photos: From the Beatles to bungee jumping: Rishikesh offers much more than yoga

Nightly ritual: Haridwar has its own nightly aarti sessions, which are less catered to tourists. Be wary of false holy men looking to fleece you for a 'donation,' however.

Hide Caption

13 of 14

Photos: From the Beatles to bungee jumping: Rishikesh offers much more than yoga

Feet-dipping: Dipping your feet in the Ganges is tradition -- as displayed by this group in Haridwar. But the river runs rapidly and the banks can be slippery with moss, so do exercise caution.

Hide Caption

14 of 14

Photos: From the Beatles to bungee jumping: Rishikesh offers much more than yoga

Rishikesh: Although the Beatles put Rishikesh on the map in 1968 with their trip to the Maharishi's ashram, the holy town on the banks of the Ganges river has recently become a hub for outdoor activities.

Hide Caption

1 of 14

Photos: From the Beatles to bungee jumping: Rishikesh offers much more than yoga

Aarti: Celebratory Hindu aarti sessions are performed nightly in Rishikesh, with music played and fire lit as offerings to the Ganges River.

Hide Caption

2 of 14

Photos: From the Beatles to bungee jumping: Rishikesh offers much more than yoga

The Beatles: The meditation hall at the former ashram of the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in Rishikesh is festooned with graffiti, much of it celebrating the Beatles' visit in 1968.

Hide Caption

3 of 14

Photos: From the Beatles to bungee jumping: Rishikesh offers much more than yoga

Dear Prudence: The Beatles Ashram has been open to the public since 2015. Although much of it has been let in ruins, meditation caves like these inspired the song 'Dear Prudence.'

Hide Caption

4 of 14

Photos: From the Beatles to bungee jumping: Rishikesh offers much more than yoga

Peanut brittle: A market vendor in Rishikesh Town sells fresh peanut brittle. India accounts for 16% of the world's peanut production, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

Hide Caption

5 of 14

Photos: From the Beatles to bungee jumping: Rishikesh offers much more than yoga

Bustling markets: Rishikesh Town offers a sight unseen by most tourists visiting the holy city. It's akin to the more manic side of India, with busy street markets and bustling traffic.

Hide Caption

6 of 14

Photos: From the Beatles to bungee jumping: Rishikesh offers much more than yoga

Kirtan: Kirtan players in Rishikesh chant mantras to the gods that last for hours, often playing to no audiences. It is worthwhile sitting in on a session, and participation is usually welcomed.

Hide Caption

7 of 14