Persival Landon who visited in this area at the end of the 19th century has compared the sacred place Ridi with Banaras the holiest place of Hindus in India. In this book ‘Nepal’, he has mentioned thus.
“The most important characteristic and aspect of Ridi is its sanctity. It is regard by Nepalese as being almost equal in holiness to Banaras, which is too far distant for any but the wealthier among the Nepalese to visit. But when their strength is failing them, many old man and even old women of Nepal will attempt the long journey in to India in other that their bodies may be burnt at holy Kashi and their ashes assimilated with the waters of the thrice-sacred Ganges. At Ridi there is held out to them that after death the ashes of the faithful may become compacted and incarnate in the famous saligram stones of the Gandak. The saligram is a symbol of cardinal importance throughout Nepal and a large area of northern India. They are found at Ridi, upstream at Muktinath, and as we have already seen down stream at Narayani- all roughly spherical in shape and greyish black in color. The surface is marked with white or yellow bands or spirals, and they roughly resemble a large unpolished onyx. But it is no Saligram unless it has a hole or by a happier chance still, two holes pierced completely through it these are called by the Napalese its eyes. For many countries the curious little formation have been regarded as emblems of Narayan or Bishnu, and during worship before his shrines they are held up in the hand to sanctify the making of vow. In the temples, they are generally contained in a small copper cup, holding also Gangas water and a few leaves of Tulsi plant. At Ridi the last rites are performed, as at Pashupati. The dying man is placed upon a slanting ledge with his legs in the strem, and after death the body is burnt and the ashes strewn upon the running water”.
Ridi is a suburb with urban character. Its population is about two thousand. It lies at the confluence of a mountain stream called Ridi Khola and the river Kali Gandaki. At this place, Kali Gandaki changes its route from north west to east. A track of about 10km .leads the travelers from Tansen to Ridi. There is also a regular bus service available. Ti takes about two hours to cross 30 km. long metalled road from Tansen to Ridi. It is situated in a deep narrow valley. There are many historic temples here. Most famous of them is the temple of Rishikesh established by Mukund Sen, the first, the king of Palpa. It is said that the king discovered the statue of God Rishikesh in the river kali Gandaki when he had a holy dip into it.
There is a mythological story about the sanctity of Ridi and origin of the god Rishikesh. In the book,”Colourful Palpa: Its potential for Tourism”A.Pl Shrestha has narrated the storyin the following way:
“It is said that in ancient times there lived a Brahmin named Devdutta. He meditated for a long time, but the God Indra for some reason or the other wanted to bread his meditation and accordingly sent for Kamdev, spring season, Dinvine singers and Angels and orderd them to go to Devdutt’s ashram. They were ordered by Indra to cast a spell on Devdutta and thus break his meditation. They came to Devdutta’s beautiful hut, and in their different ways tried to distract5 him. The beautiful Prumlocha with other beautiful singers from heaven burst into song, and Kamdev too began to cast his spill on him.
“Suddenly, in the enchanting forest, Devdutta saw the bewitching Prumlocha, alnd was at once attracted towards her. He lost control of himself and fell madly in love with her. In this way, Devdutta fell a prey to Indra’s schemes, and it was only after a long time that he came to his senses. He deeply repented for what he had done and ultimately decided to punish his sinful body in strict penance. He left his beautiful hut, crossed the Kali Gandaki river and once more sat in meditation at Bhrigutung, in strict devotion to the Lord Shiva. After many days the Lord Shiva appeared to him and said” Since you distinguished between me and the Lord Vishnu,that is why your previous meditation was unfruitful. Actually there is on difference between us; we are both one and the same,only different names. So if you sincerely meditate, you meditation will be rewarded in the end. Many Shiva lingas will appear and this place will be called “Sangam”. Those who come here and bathe in the gandaki,and worship these lingas will be blessed. “Thus Devdutta meditated according and in trhe end achieved salvation. This place of meditation still exists, and is to day know as Bhrigutungeshwar.
On the other hand, Prumlocha became pregnant, and bore Devdutta a daughter, and immediately left for her heavenly abode. The child was suckled and brought up by a particular kin of deer called “Ruru” and so the child in turn was also named Ruru. She grew up into beautiful maiden and rejecting offers of marriage, decided on strict meditation and worship of the Lord Vishny. After a hundred years of meditation, she was so much in control of her senses that she was unable to see the Lord Vishne who had appeared before her. So the Loard Vishne entered her senses, and with them went through her hart and stood before her once more. He only did she see the Lord before her. after she had touched the Lords feet with her head, he said: what wish do you want me to grant you:, and she replied” My Lord if it pleases you, stay in this place (Ridi) as you appear before me now”. This was done. She then asked the Lord Vishnu to purify her and to name the place after her, so that it would become famous later on .This too was granted and the Lord said “those people who come here and worship me, and fast for three days, will be forgiven of all sins including ‘brahmahatya’(murder of a Brahmin). From then on, the place became widely known as Ridi or Ruru. Thus, the RishikeshavTemple beside the Gandaki river is widely worshipped. Rishikesh means controller of the senses, and since the lord Vishnu had to control Ruru’s senses so that she could see him, it is known as Rishikesh”
Persival Landon has mentioned a very fascinating belief about the statue of Rishikesh in his book “Nepal: He has maintained-
“The main building of the place is the Rikhesar temple, where there is a famous statue. This is an image of Rikheswar Rishikesh Bhagwan, one of the avatars of Vishnu. Local tradition has it that this statue was at the time of its discovery of the size and nature of and infant boy , but that it has in the course of years assumed the appearance of an adult god, and there are many old men and old women here who will testify to this miracle”
The present temple of Rishikesh was renovated by Ranadal Pande in tee second decade of the last century. Its shape is like a louts flower. Among other temples situated at Ridi Manimukundeshwar temple is regarded as the oldest one. Mukunda Sen had built this temple and established a charity trust, which provides the pilgrims with food and shelter.
There are many cave-temples here. The old lime stone mines have created deep caves and beautiful shapes in the caves. Those shapes are worshiped as the images of gods and goddesses. BhrigutungeshwarCave and GalfulCaves are very famous and fascinating to look at.
There is a Buddhist Chaitya-temple-called Sugandha Bihar here, which is one and half century old.
The most important and biggest festival of Ridi is Maghe sakranti Mela-the day on which the Sun changes its root from tropic of Capricorn to the tropic of cancer. It falls in mid January. Thousands of people come here from India and remote areas of Nepal. One of the most remarkable things of the festival is the selling of Nepales handicrafts and local products like woolen rugs, bamboo products, wooden pots, medical herbs etc. They are brought here from the Himalayan districts.
The next important festival of Ridi is the annual festival of Rishikesh, which is held in November. On every eleventh day of the lunar months and on the occasions of solar and lunar eclipses pilgrims come here to have a dip into the sacred river. Travelers can enjoy boating and fishing and sunbath here.
Newars are the main inhabitants of Ridi. Their colorful cultural and religious ceremonies and festivals may draw the attention of every stranger.
Like Banaras Ridi is a famous religious crematory. A considerable number of population consists of widows and old people who pass their bays in worshiping the gods and waiting their last days.
Burning pyres, marriage ceremonies, Sharadh, i.e. paying homage to the dead and other rites and rituals are the regular scenes at the sandy bank of river Kali Gandaki, at Ridi.
