Brahmachari – One of The Best Freelance Massage Therapist in Rishikesh

• • Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand • Tags:
Brahmachari, The Massage Therapist from Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India

Winter days and I was in search of a Freelance Massage Therapist in Rishikesh. I inquired from a local friend.

Aashish Kumar Das popularly known as ‘Brahmachari’ – he said is an excellent massage therapist and an address was provided.

Brahmachari lives with his family almost opposite Ramana’s Garden, Tapovan, Rishikesh or you can say on the right-hand side just 15-20 meters before Raman’s Garden.

He is a freelance massage therapist having a 10×10 room, a mattress on the floor, and a room heater – basic for massage, and yes, the oil he uses is made from brown mustard seed (राई) and herbs but what amazing is his knowledge about pressure points, natural strongness of his fingers, hands, and dedication. His massage is a mixture of Ayurveda massage and Thai massage.

I haven’t had a Thai massage to date nor do I have knowledge of what is Thai massage but once I recommended Brahmachari to a friend and I was later told Brahmachari’s massage is a mixture of Ayurveda and Thai massage. Upon the query, he said he learned the art of massage from his Guru Shri Yogi Santanand. Once his Guru praised him by saying you are now also a massage Guru and that was the best compliment.

Brahmachari is having 23 years of massage experience having clients from all over the world. His charges are Rs. 500 for foreigners and Rs. 400 for the Indians for one hour massage. He even teaches massage therapy if someone wishes to learn massage techniques and the cost is Rs. 6000/- for 8 classes consisting of 7 lessons 2-3 hours per day.

Twice I have a massage from him and if he is in town I can not think of any other massage therapist because finding a really good massage therapist is a tough task especially when you are on tour.

The friend was correct Brahmachari is an excellent massage therapist.

Update 2021

Aashish Kumar Das (0-98971 17690) popularly known as ‘Brahmachari’ nowadays lives in Jharkhand if not, Rishikesh.

Danda Nagraja Temple – Lord Krishna appeared in the form of Snake at this Location

• • Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand •
Danda Nagraja Temple, Pauri Garhwal (Uttarakhand, India)

7:45 am Dev – The guide was ready so was I and we towards Badrinath road i.e., National Highway 58 to catch a bus for Devprayag. At 8 am we saw a white color bus coming. We waved our hands for the bus to stop. The bus was going towards Joshimath. Almost full but we were provided seats near the driver’s seat. Interesting to sit in front especially when I never traveled by bus within the mountains.

Rs. 90 – The bus fare from Rishikesh to Devprayag.

Rs. 180 paid – two passengers.

At 10:05 am we were at Pauri band, Devprayag. The journey was good as the road conditions were good. The bus driver was experienced in driving carefully though it is a few times scary to watch the deep valley on the right-hand side as the mountain road height grows.

As said above at 10:05 am we were standing at Pauri band, Devprayag to catch a bus for Vyas Ghat. Dev said we have to reach Vyas Ghat which is approx. 12 km and then from there either we have to trek or catch a jeep or bus to reach Danda Nagraja temple.

Almost one-hour standing and no bus or jeep for Vyas ghat. All buses and jeeps were going towards Pauri. We decide to walk further to visit Ram Tirath (nearby the holy Ganga, Devprayag) which is approx. 200 meters down below towards Pauri road to offer prayers. After offering prayers we were back on Pauri road waiting for a bus or jeep to arrive.

Another one hour and no vehicle. What to do? We cannot think of standing more or walking till Vyas ghat because it is approx. 12 km. I decided to hire a taxi. We walk towards the Devprayag market and started inquiring about taxi rates from Devprayag to Danda Nagraja temple. The lowest rate was Rs. 1500 from Narendra the owner of the taxi.

Rs. 1400 is the final taxi fare after bargaining from Devprayag to Danda Nagraja temple to and fro.

How far is Danda Nagraja temple from Devprayag – I question.

50 km approx. – said Narendra. Total – 100 km to and fro.

Done – said I.

12 noon we started our journey from Devprayag to Danda Nagraja temple. At 1:40 pm we were nearby Danda Nagraja temple. 50 km journey I checked with taxi meter.

Road condition between Devprayag to Danda Nagraja is a mixture of good and ok. Currently, road repair work is going on. The drive is fantastic as the entire route is almost silent. Holy Ganga river on one side flows and on the other side is a mountain and jungle. First, 25 km drive is nearby the holy Ganga and another 25 km upwards drive is to reach Danda Nagraja temple.

During the conversation Narendra enhanced our knowledge to the trek one has to start from Maroda but is not advisable because the trek condition is not that good.

Another option is to reach Pauri from Devprayag by bus. There is a daily bus from Pauri at 1:30 pm for Danda Nagraja temple but once you reach you cannot return the same day because another bus is only the next day morning to Pauri from Danda Nagraja temple. One has to stay at the temple Dharamshala or a lodge nearby.

Very good information – said I. Thank you.

I observed during Devprayag to Danda Nagraja temple journey it is not advisable to travel during rainy days because of the landslide and is not advisable to visit by motorbike either because very seldom you will find someone on the entire route and all around the journey is a silent road with the forest around. Only a few times village during the entire journey. The taxi I find the best way to reach Danda Nagraja temple from Devprayag or visit Pauri from Devprayag to catch a bus to reach the temple.

At the temple area, I purchased ‘Prasad‘ – jaggery and flower for Rs. 90 to offer to Lord Danda Nagraja and a temple photo – Rs. 40 for home.

Upon query about The History of The Danda Nagraja Temple, I was told by the two priests – Shri Ganesh Prasad and Shri Jagdish Prasad (uncle and nephew) present within the temple:

Lord Krishna visited Uttarakhand – The land of Lord Shiva in the form of a snake and appeared at this temple location thus, within Uttarakhand Lord Krishna is worshiped in the form of a snake.

The present form of the temple was built around 125 years back in the year 1993. Earlier there was only a wall around Sanctum Sanctorum. One can offer prayers at Sanctum Sanctorum (garbhagriha) from a window close by.

The priest said – Sem Mukhem nearby Chamba, Tehri Garhwal is also known for Lord Krishna Leela.

Further talks and I was told by the priest 40 years back his father once met a sadhu at the temple location who after a little conversation disappeared. And three years back few women from Kishanpur, Kotdwar was here doing kirtan. Few of them during kirtan saw Nagraja and few were unable to see.

And a few more stories…

Upon query about the festival, I was told each year during ‘do gati baisakh‘ is the time for the festival. Mostly 14 / 15 April – The festival dates.

I question: How to reach Danda Nagraja temple from Rishikesh?

The priest said: Reach Pauri from Rishikesh via Devprayag and at 1:00 pm there is a bus for Danda Nagraja temple and to return to Pauri the next day early morning at 7:30 there is a bus from Danda Nagraja temple. And please note especially during the festival time it is the best to hire one’s own taxi to reach the temple.

And how to reach Danda Nagraja temple via trek?

Pantgaon is the location if coming from Devprayag from where one can trek but is not advisable – The priest said. Bachhelikhal and Vyas ghat are other locations for the trek but nowadays it is very less used so not in good condition for trekking not advisable.

Danda – I question what that means?

Danda in the Garhwali language is the top of a mountain thus Danda Nagraja. The temple is at 4900 feet. One can watch Chandrabadni temple, Vyas ghat, Nanda Devi peak, Chaukhamba peak, and Bhairavgadi temple (nearby Lansdowne) from the temple area when the air is clear and not foggy.

Very useful information. Thank you – said I.

After offering prasad, and prayers, and touching the feet of the priest I walk around the temple area and then towards Mahesh Rawat shop and order two plates of Maggi and two hot cups of tea. A fantastic journey it was. There are so many bells within the temple area. Devotees after wishes are fulfilled offer a bell.

At 3:10 pm we started from Danda Nagraja temple and at 4:40 pm we were at Devprayag market. Thanks to Narendra. He is a very good driver. I have to say wonderful control of his vehicle.

Thank you – said I. Rs. 1400 paid.

5:00 pm we were inside a private car as the bus was not coming after a few minutes of standing on the road. Rs. 120/- per person, he charged from Devprayag to Rishikesh. At 6:45 pm we reached Rishikesh. Thank you – said I. Amount paid – Rs. 240. Journey completed.

About: Ram Tirath – Lord Shri Ram Tapasthali

• • Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand • Tags:
About: Ram Tirath, Devprayag, Uttarakhand, India

‘Ram Tirath’ situated on the banks of the holy Ganga at the foothills of Nrisinghachal is the one who gives the fruits of all yagyas. Sins like Brahmhatya can also be destroyed just by seeing and remembering this pilgrimage. Kedarkhand of Skanda Purana and Anand Ramayana in the abode of Dev Sharma Muni, at the end of Tretayuga, Vishnu Avatar Lord Shri Ram had visited this pilgrimage. To get rid of the sin of Brahmahatya of Ravanvadh, God performed penance here. In Ramtirtha, Lord Parshuram had done the same penance with the desire to kill Sahatrarjuna. Here the holy Ramatapashila, Ramkund, Ramcharan Paduka, holy Nrisingh Dhara, Tapaswini Shilavati Sarovar exist in the form of mythological signs.