Peaceful Place for mediation at the Vashishta Cave..

On the banks of holy river Ganga, away from the crowd of Rishikesh town, there is a very peaceful place known as Vashishta Gufa.Vashishta Gufa is located about 17 KM from Tapovan(Rishikesh) and 6 KM from Shivpuri on Rishikesh-Badrinath Highway. This ashram is located among the trees of Gular. There is a small village near the ashram known as ‘Gular village’. The ashram is located in a pristine and peaceful location surrounded by mountains.
According to Hindu mythology, Sage Vashishta was one of the seven great sages (i.e. Saptarishi). He was the son of Lord Brahma and is also known as the teacher of Lord Rama. After the death of his children, Vashishta was very upset and he decided to commit suicide in river Ganga. But the Goddess Ganga didn’t accept his plea of suicide. Then Sage Vashishta and his wife Arundhati meditated at this place for hundreds of years to overcome their sorrow. Over the years a small ashram was built near the cave. This ashram is known as Swami Purushottamanand ashram. There are some rooms built outside the cave area, where many sadhus have been living permanently.
The entrance of the cave has some light. But as you go deeper, it is pitch dark. The cave is properly maintained. It is very clean and the floor is strewn with white mats for about 12 people, which I was not expecting after looking at the outer area. At the end of the cave, there is a Shiv Linga and a flickering oil lamp. There is no external noise and the air inside the cave is very cool. The interior of the cave is filled with some aroma of burning oil and sticks. It is definitely a very nice place to meditate deeply.You may find a priest worshipping the Shiv Linga and some other tourists during daytime. You are supposed to sit quietly inside the cave.
Outside the ashram premises, you may relax on the beach near the river. There is also a small cave outside the ashram called “Arundhati Cave”. On the other side, you will see an iron bridge near the Gular village to cross the river.

More info: http://raftingcampingrishikesh.com/sightseeing-in-rishikesh.html