Mahatma Yoga Ashram, Rishikesh

Ganga River and Rishikesh at night [Crayons on note book]

The first time I arrived in Rishikesh was in April 2008, it was LOVE of first sight. The sights, colours, sounds and the gentleness of the people caught me.

**First few steps on Laxman-Jula Bridge**, **Rishikesh 8.4.2008**

I traveled alone but thanks to Shiva and to the Good Spirits, that I felt safe and comfortable, like I have been in India before.

There are some miracles in life, and my work on that Lino, on 2019 of Rishikesh is one of them.
Every evening at sun set I used to bring my tools to the best point of view in the Ashram and did my work. Some times people looked at me with strange looks, but I continued. That was like I was ordered to do it with no excuses.
And so I created day by day – the stormy waters of the Ganga, the Ashram opposite with the round arches that’s never finishes, Shiva’s majestic and glorious statue that was the place for gathering and praying and the soft most beautiful mountains around that were like cuddling us. Thanks to Shiva and the universe that I managed to finish the work.

Rishikesh is a Holly city and pilgrims arrived from all over india.

**My favorite Cafe in Laxman-Jhula, looking at the riverside and to the bridge.** 2008.
**The Cafe with the best Israeli salad in town.**
Visited it regularly from 2008 – 2019

I was lucky to find in my next visit – The Mahatma Yoga Ashram, run by Yogi Ji. That was like finding my second home.

View to the river from Mahatma Yoga Ashram, **Pastel drawing,** **2015**

**My first project in the Ashram was to paint** the concrete LOTUS, creating a beautiful seating area. 2015
**In pic. with lovely Laura (on the left). We are keeping in-touch until now**.

**My next project in Mahatma Yoga Ashram was painting the gats. Bright lovely colours were most suitable for the amazing atmosphere in the Ashram.** 2015
**People come again and again from all over the world**

**A quick drawing of the beautiful Ganga river & the Himalaya mountains**.
Water colour, 2016

**Visiting a Cave Man, lives 15 years in a cave, always smiling. With Yogi Ji (in white) and friends.**
9 Oct. 2016

**Drawing Buddha in the Reading Hat was an amazing spiritual journey.**
**My two books are placed proudly on the top shelve.**
Oil paints, 2016

**The guests helped me painting, and we created a beautiful scenery of Buddha by the Ganga river**.

**Tal and myself in a Well Being Ceremony by the river, next to Shiva’s statue**
23.2.2019

**Relaxed and happy after Painting Buddha in meditation room.**
1 March 2019

Sadly because of the pandemic Mahatma Yoga Ashram, by the Ganga river, closed down on Feb. 2020. The Ashram was active for 10 years.
The Reading Hat flew away by a Hurricane storm sometime on 2018.

The final project on my last visit on 2019, was an idea by Yogi Ji
who wanted to create a beautiful background with local stones and a Shrine
to welcome the guests lovingly.

The guests at the ashram came from India and from all over the world.
The Yoga classes in Mahatma Yoga Ashram were the best in town, with excellent teachers.
Yogi Ji the founder and the manager of the Ashram, was a unique teacher and spiritual leader. He taught sacred wisdom in a humble way, wearing ordinary, gave happiness and hope to every soul.

**My First Drawing in Mahatma Yoga Ashram.**
Water colour, 2015

Longing for Mahatma Yoga Ashram & Rishikesh 💌 March 2021

קשור