Homage to Source
Sage Vashistha was the most venerated of the 7 Sapta Rishis of ancient Bharata (India’s original name). The gufa (cave) which He chose for his isolation from the ‘world’ was on the banks of the much revered Ganges – referred to by millions as ‘Mother Ganga’ or ‘Gangamma’. It has become a place of veneration for innumerable devotees (not only those of Jnana yoga) ever since.
The cave lies several kilometres upstream from Rishikesh and because of the esteem Hindus have had for the Himalaya mountain range and Gangamma, the surrounding forests (which are devoid of all human structures or cultivation) have undergone very little change in the centuries since the Ramayana (Sage Valmiki) and Mahabarata (sage Veda Vyasa) were first penned.
The rare exception to this is the Phool Chatti ashram which was founded on the confluence of the Ganges and ‘Chinese’ rivers: The ashram is directly opposite to Vashishta’s gufa but on the opposite bank. It was to experience this mythical/ magical/historical aspect of ancient India and to pay homage to Vasishta during the 5 day festival of lights (Divali) that drew us to Phool Chatti a decade ago.
The Ganges flows unerringly back home to its Source – willing to release both its name and its form
Temple and accommodation units
Diwali late evenings after bajans
Diwali at night prior to meditations
Divali in the early evening from private room
View from outside the covered eating area
Timeless forest setting of the Himalayan foothills
Breakfast on rooftop of the Satsang hall
The new Satsang hall overlooking the Ganges
Swamiji on the roof top with Ganges below
Swamiji and Pat exchanging
Midday meal on the rooftop
Departing Phool Chatti ashram