Muni Ki Reti

History

Literally meaning "Sand of the sages" (muni), 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 of Ramayana did penance.

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.

Subsequently, Swami Atmananda founded Swargashram in 1908; Sivananda Ashram was established by Swami Sivananda in 1936. Gradually other ashrams came up and soon it became a popular destination for yoga and meditation practitioners and seekers of Vedantic knowledge. The town became a nagar panchayat on 30 November 1949. Over the years other ashrams have come up in the area — Gita Bhawan, Parmarth Niketan of Swami Chidanand Saraswati and Vanprastha Ashram — all on the opposite bank of the Ganges.

In February 1968 The Beatles visited the now-closed Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's ashram. John Lennon recorded 'The Happy Hrishikesh Song' here. The Beatles composed nearly 48 songs during their time at the Maharishi's ashram, many of which appear on the White Album. Several other artists, including Mike Love of The Beach Boys, Donovan and 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 the 1986, the building of the 222 ft 'Ram Jhula', similar to the Laxman Jhula at Rishikesh, allowed easy access and rapid growth to the area.

Demographics

According to the 2001 India census, Muni Ki Reti had a population of 7879. 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.