Muni Ki Reti

Muni Ki Reti मुनि की रेती
city
A study group by the Ganges at Muni ki Reti
Muni Ki Reti Location in Uttarakhand, India
Coordinates: 30°04′N 78°10′E / 30.07°N 78.16°E / 30.07; 78.16Coordinates: 30°04′N 78°10′E / 30.07°N 78.16°E / 30.07; 78.16
Country	India
State	Uttarakhand
District	Tehri Garhwal
Government
• Type	Nagar Panchayat
• Body	Muni Ki Reti Nagar Panchayat
Area
• Total	1.82 km2 (0.70 sq mi)
Elevation	456 m (1,496 ft)
Population (2001)
• Total	7,879
• Density	4,329/km2 (11,210/sq mi)
Languages
• Official	Hindi
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN	249201
Telephone code	0135
Sex ratio	581 ♂/♀

Muni Ki Reti (Hindi: मुनि की रेती is a town and a nagar panchayat in Tehri Garhwal district in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. It lies close to pilgrimage town of Rishikesh, and is most known for a host of ashrams in the area, including the Shri Shivananda Ashram of Swami Sivananda, the founder of Divine Life Society.

Etymology

Traditionally, the sandy (reti) banks of Ganges River here have been used by munis (sages) and sadhus for tapasya, giving the place it is name Muni ki Reti, literally "sands of the sages" ^[1]

History

Traditionally considered the gateway for the Char Dham pilgrimage — Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri.

'Kailash Ashram' was established here in 1880, later in 1932, Sivananda Ashram was established here by Swami Sivananda, making it a popular destination for Yoga and Meditation practitioners from all over India, and seekers of Vedantic knowledge. The town became a nagar panchayat on 30 November 1949.^[2] Over the year several others ashrams have come up in the area namely Swargashram, Gita Bhawan, Parmarth Niketan of Swami Chidanand Saraswati and Vanprastha Ashram, all situated on the opposite bank of the Ganges ^[3]

In February 1968 The Beatles visited, the now closed Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's ashram,^[4] John Lennon, even recorded a song here, titled, 'The Happy Hrishikesh Song' ^[5][6] The Beatles composed nearly 48 songs during their time at the Maharishi's ashram, many of which appear on the White Album. Several other artists, including Mike Love of The Beach Boys, Donovan and Gyp Mills, visited the site to contemplate and meditate.

For years boats were the only way to go across the Ganges where numerous ashrams lie, but in the 1986, the building of the 222 ft. 'Ram Jhula', similar to the Laxman Jhula at Rishikesh, allowed easy access to the area, and also its rapid growth.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census,^[7] Muni Ki Reti had a population of 7879. Males constitute 63% of the population and females 37%. Muni Ki Reti has an average literacy rate of 73%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 79%, and female literacy is 63%. In Muni Ki Reti, 13% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Gallery

• 

  Ram Jhula, the bridge over the Ganges.

• 

  Ghats on the Ganges and Ram Jhula bridge at Muni ki Reti.

• 

  Ganga ghats across the river Ganges, at Muni ki Reti.

• 

  The Shiva statue overlooking the ghats, near Parmarth Niketan.

• 

  Meditation chambers at the old Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram, now in ruins, Muni Ki Reti.

• 

  Gita Press outlet, Gita Bhavan, Muni Ki Reti.

• 

  Shivananda Kutir on the Shivananda ghat, with Shivananda Ashram above.

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rishikesh.

• Muni Ki Reti, Official website
• Muni Ki Reti wikimapia