Late Arrival Rishikesh

My IndiGo flight from Bangkok to Dehradun via Delhi was comfortable enough and uneventful. The aircraft was a little dated, with no onboard entertainment, but after having to be at the airport at 3 a.m., I was more than happy to sleep through the journey—as were many of my fellow passengers.

After checking into Punyah Residency, I heard music drifting up from the banks of the Ganges. Ganga Aarti was underway: a mesmerizing Hindu ceremony of light and prayer in honour of the river goddess Ganga. It was a beautiful introduction to this sacred place.