Landed at Dehradun.
Huge mural of Himalayas, Adi Shankaracharya, Vyasa, Ganesha on airport wall.
Ethereal feeling driving through Dehradun to Rishikesh, Muni ki Reti.
Mountain ranges, forests, dried up river beds.
Hummed the Abhang Pandharicha vaas chandrabhage snaana as we passed the Chandrabhaga (dried up) river on the left.
A little choked up as we parked at Shivananda Ashram.
Put our bags in the rooms.
Sparse, clean, twin beds, a balcony, a bathroom, fan.
Coincidentally today was the final day of the Sanyasi Diksha Centenary Celebrations. Divine Life Societies from all over the world had converged here.
Attended satsangh, too late for dinner,
Took a walk through the Ashram, saw gloriously lit Ram Jhula and Lakshman Jhula opposite, Shivananda Samadhi and Kuttir, bookstore, library, all closed.
Attended the closing satsangh and watched and sang the Aarthi I’d sung as a child at DLS KL.
Shared a tiny plate of prasad.
Then showered, got clothes ready for a predawn rise, prayers, Yoga and a Ganga dip.
Bavani’s Happy Place 