Rama Festival in Rishikesh

When we arrived in Rishikesh it was the 7th day of the 9 day festival of the Hindu God, Lord Rama . Rishikesh is normally a bustling place but because of the festival it was packed. There were parades on the streets, dancing, Ashrams chanting loudly, paint throwing (this is the Hindu tradition of throwing coloured powder and water, not just at one another but also at any passing strangers) etc. It is all taken in good humour and no-one seems to mind being covered in coloured gunge).

On the last day of the festival, people waiting at the boom of the Ghats for the Gods to arrive.

The festival in full swing with paint being thrown all around.

Now covered in coloured powder, The Gods are taken down to the Ganges

The God (sitting in the fancy chair) being guided into the water.

Parades in the street. This guy is dressed as the Indian God Hanuman.

Effigies are burned to depict the triumph of Lord Rama over Ravana , which is seen as good over evil. It was set on fire at night after a fabulous fireworks display. Hundreds of people were at the Ghat for the burning but hundreds more were stood on the suspension bridge. Initially we were standing on the bridge but soon decided to get off it as we thought there was a heck of a lot of people to be supported by one bridge, but luckily the bridge held! It certainly wouldn't have been the first bridge to collapse in Asia.

The streets were covered in powder.

The musicians who had been playing drums and blowing trumpets for days were glad of the rest I think.

The stage in this video was set up throughout the festival and blasted out 'music' all night. Our hotel wasn't too far from it. We had to keep our bathroom door closed when the stage was in full swing as the sound seemed to gather in there and going for a pee was like walking into a boogie box! Make sure the volume is up when you listen to the video and see if you can last the short 36 seconds.