In the heart of June, while the rest of the country simmered, Rishikesh welcomed us with icy waters, golden light, and wild energy. What started as a rafting trip with some friends and some friends-of-friends — turned into a day of bonding, music, magic, and unforgettable memories. The Ganga didn’t just carry our raft; it carried laughter, songs, and the kind of joy that only comes from shared adventure.
The Excitement Before the Drop
The thrill began the moment we suited up. Wet suits, helmets, life jackets — a bit clumsy, a bit chaotic, but wholly exciting. Some of us were friends reunited after years; others were strangers we’d just met. But in that moment, we were all one team, standing on the banks of the Ganga, giddy with anticipation. The air was buzzing with possibility — and a chill we didn’t expect in June.
Into the Rapids: Splashes, Screams & Back Floats
We pushed off. Almost instantly, the rapids roared and drenched us in ice-cold water. We screamed, laughed, paddled, jumped in for a swim or two (okay, maybe three), and floated on our backs — gazing at the sky, feeling suspended between earth and eternity. That water was cold, but it woke something inside us. It was everything a good rafting trip should be — wild, thrilling, and a little bit terrifying.
Music on the River: Songs, Bhajans & Chants
And then came the music — oh, the music.
What started with one humming voice turned into a full-blown Bollywood concert. We belted out classics like “Ilahi”, “Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana”, “Tere Jesa Yaar Kahan”, and “Kabira” — songs about journeys, friendships, and freedom. It was loud, joyful, off-key in the best way.
In the quieter moments, someone started singing a bhajan — and just like that, the raft turned into a floating temple. We sang “Radhika Gori Se”, “Choti Choti Gaiyaa Chote Chote Gwal”, and others, our voices bouncing off the hills.
But the most powerful moments were the spontaneous chants that rose up, unprompted:
“Har Har Mahadev!”
“Har Har Gange!”
We weren’t just riding a river — we were part of something sacred.
One Moment That Mattered
In the midst of chaos, one of the first-timers on our raft started panicking. I was beside him, and as I talked him through it, helped him breathe, and reassured him he wasn’t alone, I felt so proud of myself (something within me told me to see how far I have come in the past few years). By the end of it, he said he actually enjoyed the ride — because I was there. It reminded me how sometimes, kindness is the strongest paddle we have.
The Perfect Pit Stop: Chai & Maggi Break
Somewhere along the calmer stretch of the river, we took a break — the kind that only Rishikesh can offer. We pulled over to a small riverside shack, where smoky hot Maggi and kadak chai were waiting like a warm hug. Wet clothes, cold hands, and all, we slurped, sipped, and laughed in that moment of stillness. The warmth of the chai against the chill of the Ganga — unforgettable. It wasn’t just a snack stop; it was a bonding moment in noodles and nostalgia.
A New Friendship Found in Song
One girl and I — strangers at first — ended up singing the loudest, the most. Our voices synced, our spirits clicked. Between “Dil Chahta Hai” and “Yaaron Dosti”, a real connection was born. We laughed at how offbeat we were but didn’t stop — because that’s what friendship sometimes looks like: messy, musical, magical.
Full Circle: Memories from My First Rafting Trip
This wasn’t my first time rafting, but somehow, it brought back the thrill of my very first trip. The nervous energy, the first jump into the river, the way the sun hit the water just right — it all came rushing back. Only this time, I was sharing it with old friends, new faces, and music that made the moment eternal.
Warm Chai, Cold Towels & Hot Takes
We ended the trip with freezing bodies and warm friendships — the ultimate contrast. We huddled on the ghat, shivering and laughing, sharing stories and videos and photos. Each picture held a piece of the river, a sliver of the song, a spark of the day we’d all remember.
Summing Up
That June day in Rishikesh was more than just river rafting. It was a shared playlist of friendship, faith, and full-blown fun. Some people came as friends.
Some became friends. Some re-entered my life after years. And through rapids, bhajans, Bollywood, and chants, we found something rare — the kind of connection that only rivers and real moments can create.
