Rishikesh Shaha (1925 – November 13, 2002) was a Nepalese writer, politician and human rights activist.^[1][2]

Political career[link]

Shaha was a member of Nepal Prajatantrik Party 1948-1949. 1951-1953 he was the general secretary of Nepali Rastriya Congress. He then became general secretary of the joint Nepali Congress-Nepali Rashtriya Congress front until 1956. Shaha was Minister of Finance 1960-1964. In 1962 he became chair of the Constitution Drafting Commission. 1967-1971 he represented the graduate constituency in the National Panchayat. In the panchayat, he was one of the most prominent advocates of democratic reforms.^[1]

Diplomatic career[link]

Shaha was the Nepalese ambassador to the United States and the Permanent Representative of Nepal to the United Nations UN 1956-1960. In 1961 Shaha was elected by the United Nations General Assembly to chair the International Commission for investigating the death of UN Secretary General Dag Hammarskjöld, who had suffered an air crash over Congo. Shaha was one of the candidates to succeed Hammarskjöld, but was defeated by U Thant. In 1962, Shaha was appointed special ambassador.^[1]

Academic work[link]

Shaha lectured in English and Nepali at Tri-Chandra College 1945-1948. During the period 1947-1948 he served as chief inspector of schools 1947-48.

Shaha served as visiting professor at the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India in 1970. In 1971 he served as Regents' Professor at Berkeley University, USA. He was a Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, Washington. D.C. and the East-West Center, Honolulu.^[3]

Shaha authored several works of Nepalese politics and history.^[1][3]

Organizational work[link]

Shah was also the founder of the Nepal Council of World Affairs and in 1988 he became the founding president of the Human Rights Organisation of Nepal (HURON). Later, he left HURON.^[2][1]

References[link]

Rishikesh ऋषिकेश
—  city  —
Rishikesh view across Laxman Jhula
Rishikesh Location of Rishikesh in Uttarakhand and India
Coordinates	30°06′25″N 78°17′56″E / 30.107°N 78.299°E / 30.107; 78.299Coordinates: 30°06′25″N 78°17′56″E / 30.107°N 78.299°E / 30.107; 78.299
Country	India
State	Uttarakhand
District(s)	Dehradun
Population	75,020 (2001[update])
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
Area • Elevation	• 372 metres (1,220 ft)
Codes • Pincode • 249201 • Telephone • +0135 • Vehicle • UK 07

Rishikesh (Hindi: ऋषिकेश), also spelled Hrishikesh, Rushikesh or Hrushikesh, is a city and a municipal board in Dehradun district in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. Located in the foothills of the Himalayas in northern India, it is known as The Gateway to the Himalayas. Rishikesh is surrounded by three other districts namely Tehri Garhwal, Pauri Garhwal and Haridwar. It is located around 25 km north of holy city, Haridwar. Rishikesh has a permanent population of around 75,000.

Etymology[link]

"Hṛṣīkeśa" (Sanskrit: हृषीकेश) is a name of Vishnu that means 'lord of the senses'.^[1][2] The root words Hrishik and ish join together to make Hrishikesh. Hrishik means Senses and ish means master or Lord. Hence the word means Lord of Senses or Lord Vishnu. The place gets its name after Lord Vishnu who appeared to 'Raibhya Rishi',^[3] as a result of his tapasya (austerities), as Lord Hrishikesh.^[4] In Skanda Purana, this area is known as 'Kubjamrak' as Lord Vishnu appeared, under a mango tree.^[2]

The name Rishikesh is loosely applied to an association of five distinct sections encompassing not only the town but also hamlets and settlements on both sides of the river Ganges. These include Rishikesh itself, the commercial and communication hub; the sprawling suburb Muni-ki-Reti or the "sands of the sages"; Shivananda Nagar the home of Sivananda Ashram and the Divine Life Society founded by Swami Sivananda, north of Rishikesh; the temple section of Lakshman Jhula, a little further north; and the assorted Ashrams around Swarg Ashram on the east bank. One can reach the famous Neelakanta Maha Deva Temple from here. The Ganga Aarti performed at dusk at the Triveni Ghat is popular with visitors. 'Neelkanth Mahadev Temple', situated 28 km from Rishikesh, amidst forest is also a popular local pilgrimage, along with 'Vasishtha Guha', (Cave of sage Vasishtha), 21 km up from the town by the Ganges.

History[link]

Rishikesh has been a part of the legendary 'Kedarkhand' (the present day Garhwal).^[5] Legends state that Lord Rama did penance here for killing Ravana, the demon king of Lanka; and Lakshmana, his younger brother, crossed the river Ganges, at a point, where the present 'Lakshman Jhula' (लक्ष्मण झूला) bridge stands today, using a jute rope bridge. ^[6]The 'Kedar Khand' of Skanda Purana, also mentions the existence of Indrakund at this very point. The jute-rope bridge was replaced by iron-rope suspension bridge in 1889, and after it was washed away in the 1924 floods, it was replaced by a stronger present bridge.

The sacred river Ganges flows through Rishikesh. It is here that the river leaves the Shivalik mountains in the Himalayas and flows out into the plains of northern India. Several temples, ancient as well as new, can be found along the banks of the Ganges in Rishikesh.

Yoga Center[link]

A statue of Shiva meditating at Parmarth Niketan on the Ganges River

Rishikesh, sometimes nicknamed "the world capital of Yoga", has numerous yoga centres that also attract tourists. It is believed that meditation in Rishikesh brings one closer to attainment of moksha, as does a dip in the holy river that flows through it. Rishikesh is world famous for Rafting and Adventure. Rafting season starts from the month of March and ends in September.

Rishikesh is also home to the 120-year old Kailas Ashram Brahmavidyapeetham, an institution dedicated to preserve and promote the traditional Vedantic Studies. Prominent personalities such as Swami Vivekananda, Swami Rama Tirtha and Swami Shivananda have studied in this institution.

In February 1968, The Beatles visited the now-closed^{[citation needed]} Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's ashram in Rishikesh.^[7] John Lennon recorded a song titled, 'The Happy Rishikesh Song'.^{[8][dead link][9]} The Beatles composed nearly 48 songs during their time at the Maharishi's ashram,^{[citation needed]} many of which appear on the White Album.^{[citation needed]} Several other artists, including Mike Love and Donovan, visited the site to contemplate and meditate.^[10]

Geography[link]

Rishikesh is located at 30°06′12″N 78°17′41″E / 30.103368°N 78.294754°E / 30.103368; 78.294754. It has an average elevation of 372 metres (1,745 feet).^{[citation needed]}

The Tehri Dam is just 80 km uphill on the way to Gangotri. Rishikesh is the starting point for traveling to the sites that form the Chota Char Dham pilgrimage — Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri.

Climate[link]

Demographics[link]

As of 2001^[update] India census,^[11] Rishikesh had a population of 59,671. Males constitute 56% of the population and females 44%. Rishikesh has an average literacy rate of 85%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 90%, and female literacy is 78%. In Rishikesh, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Adventure sports[link]

Rishikesh is becoming a popular spot for white water rafting enthusiasts, both from India and abroad, as the Ganges offers medium to rough rapids rated class 3 and class 4.^[12] It is also a center for hiking and backpacking.^[13] Recently, bungee jumping has also been introduced in Rishikesh, the first and only bungee jumping camp in India.^{[citation needed]}

Gallery[link]

• Rish2.jpg

  A Hindu temple in Rishikesh

• 

  Ghats by the River Ganges

• 

  Ram Jhula Bridge across the Ganges at Muni Ki Reti, built in the 1980s.

Panoramic photography of Rishikesh.

References[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Rishikesh

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