Solo trips aren’t easy. They aren’t always the happiest, but they are absolutely amazing—new people, new experiences, new exposure (especially if you’re an introvert). In other cases, you have friends who give you confidence, and you end up doing a lot of things you never realized you needed to focus on while traveling.
But in the case of solo trips, it’s just you and a new place. At first, everything feels big and strange, but once you settle in, you start to own that place.
It was January 2025. I had just completed my internship with Deloitte and was supposed to join as a full-time employee after four days. I wanted to spend this break on the ghats of Varanasi, but the trains were delayed due to foggy weather, and bus accidents are pretty common during that time.
So, I planned a trip to Rishikesh—because why not?
Rishikesh feels completely different on weekdays: no parties, no crowds, just peace. Truly, the yoga capital of India. I booked my bus just 10 minutes before departure, reached the bus stand, and boarded with a mix of strange feelings—excited yet unsure.
After a 4-hour drive from Delhi, I reached by evening, rented a scooty, and woohoo—welcome to Rishikesh! I stayed for 2 nights and 3 days, both nights at GoStop hostels (there are two in Rishikesh).
Places I Visited
-Ganga Aarti, Triveni Ghat
-Morning prayers at Parmarth Niketan
Bhoothnath Temple (a must-visit for panoramic views of Rishikesh, plus its history is fascinating)
-Satya Sai Ghat
-Neer Waterfall
-Sunset Point
It wasn’t my first time in Rishikesh—I’ve been there with friends and cousins many times—but this time felt different.
The highlights were watching the Ganga Aarti and vibing to the bhajans, trekking to Neer Waterfall, and climbing the stairs of Bhoothnath Temple. It’s said that all the ghosts accompany Lord Shiva in his marriage procession from this very place.
The Stories That Made It Special ❤️
Amma Ji
I met Amma Ji at the ghats of Maa Ganga. She was selling flowers and diyas. Though I initially said no, she sat beside me anyway. A 10-rupee coin from my hand found its way into hers, and in return, she offered me flowers. I hesitated, but she softly said, “Acha phool hi le lo.” When I asked for just one, she gently corrected me: “Kabhi Ganga ji me ek phool nahi pravahit karna chahiye.”
I took the flowers, made my offering, and sat there, just absorbing the moment. Then I asked if I could take her picture. She adjusted her shawl and hair, giving me the sweetest pose.
The next morning, we met again—same place, same warmth. I showed her the picture, bought two flowers this time, and clicked a selfie with her. She smiled, blessed me, and in that moment, my heart felt so full.
Anuj & Friends
Near Satya Sai Ghat, I was just sitting quietly when a little kid came up to me and said, “Bhaiya, phool le lo.”
I told him, “Mere paas cash nahi hai, warna le leta.”
He replied, “Koi nahi, aap phool toh le lo, paise mat do!” 🥹
Later, I found out he was part of a small group of kids—Anuj, Sakshi, Sandeep, and another Anuj—who were trying to organize a daily Ganga Aarti. They had created their own system: offering flowers to people in exchange for money to buy oil, camphor, and wicks for the aarti.
When I heard about their dream, I decided to help by buying the essentials for them.
After that, we clicked a selfie together. One of them said:
“Apne gaav jaake dikhana sabko!”
That innocence truly touched my heart. 💛
Kenny Bhaiya
And lastly, I met Kenny Bhaiya—a skilled stone balance artist and cinematographer. He lives by the ghats, radiating positivity. Though I met him only briefly (15–20 minutes, since I had to catch my bus back home), he recorded a few clips of me, and they turned out amazing.
I asked him to meet again next time to create some good content together. Looking forward to seeing him soon.
That was my solo trip to Rishikesh—peaceful, unexpected, and full of stories that will stay with me forever.
“O traveler, embark on the journey alone, for in solitude, you shall find the universe within yourself”
–Walt Whitman
