RISHIKESH
The Fount of Arsha Samskriti 

After coming back to the mortal world, Raibhya resolved to know the mystery of death, and means to the attainment of emancipation. Is it knowledge-Gnana or action - Karma that confers me ancipation? With a view to getting illumination from Lord Vishnu-the repository of Brahmagnana, he did penance, and when HE appeared, he expressed his ambition. Vishnu then showed him His maya in several of its forms. Seeing its complexity and intricate diversity, he implored the Lord to free the humans from the bondage of maya. Pleased with his unparalleled humanism, Vishnu granting it said, "Whoever follows religious disciplines after bath in Mayakund, will be freed from worldly bondages."

Preferring the sanctity of the place of his illumination, he is still living in his ethereal form in the mountains. That is why the dense tangle of ever green vegetation grown on mountain tops bears semblance to his matted locks. So This entire region is imbued with spiritual wealth of that humanist sage. This place has come to be known as Rishikesh the hair of Rishi, and became famous henceforth.

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