Muni Ki Reti

Coordinates: 30°04′N 78°10′E / 30.07°N 78.16°E / 30.07; 78.16
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Muni Ki Reti
Town
UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
249137
Telephone code0135
Sex ratio581 /

Muni Ki Reti is a town and a municipal council in Tehri Garhwal district in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. It lies close to the pilgrimage town of Rishikesh and is known for its ashrams, including the Divine Life Society of Sivananda Saraswati.

History

Literally meaning "Sand of the sages" (

muni),[1][2][3] Muni Ki Reti is traditionally considered the gateway for the Char Dham pilgrimage — Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri. It is also known as the place where King Bharata performed penance in the Ramayana.[4]

In modern history, 'Kailash Ashram' was established here in 1880 by Dhanraj Giri. It was one of the first large ashrams to be established in Rishikesh. Before that it was mostly as a place for individual seekers or pilgrims to stop over on way to Char Dham temples pilgrimage.[5][4]

Subsequently, Swami Atmananda founded Swargashram in 1908;

Swami Chidanand Saraswati and Vanprastha Ashram — all on the opposite bank of the Ganges.[7]

In February 1968

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 1986, the building of a suspension bridge,

, allowed easy access and rapid growth to the area.

Demographics

According to the

Muni Ki Reti had a population of 10,620. Males constitute 63% of the population and females 37%. The town 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.
    Ram Jhula
    , the bridge over the Ganges.
  • Ghats on the Ganges and Ram Jhula bridge at Muni ki Reti.
    Ghats on the Ganges and Ram Jhula bridge at Muni ki Reti.
  • Ganga ghats across the river Ganges, at Muni ki Reti.
    Ganga ghats across the river Ganges, at Muni ki Reti.
  • The Shiva statue overlooking the ghats, near Parmarth Niketan.
    The Shiva statue overlooking the ghats, near Parmarth Niketan.
  • Meditation chambers at the old Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram, now in ruins, Muni Ki Reti.
    Meditation chambers at the old Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram, now in ruins, Muni Ki Reti.
  • Gita Press outlet, Gita Bhavan, Muni Ki Reti.
    Gita Press outlet, Gita Bhavan, Muni Ki Reti.
  • 'Shivananda Kutir' on the Shivananda ghat, with Shivananda Ashram above.
    'Shivananda Kutir' on the Shivananda ghat, with Shivananda Ashram above.

References

External links