Lakshman Jhula at Rishikesh
We were in Haridwar couple days back, we planned to see Lakshman Jhula at rishikesh too. Lakshman Jhula the hanging bridge was the point of interest for all the family members. It is about 25 km from haridwar. No doubt the view of Lakshman Jhula is good. But as usual we Indians have done the same thing with this heritage too. We have destroyed the original beauty of this.
Originally there had been a fine rope bridge. Unfortunately in 1939 one philanthropic marwadi decided to destroy the rope bridge and constructed a 450 feet long iron hanging bridge at a very high cost and then handover the keys to the government. I want to know one thing why they destroyed the original rope bridge. They could have built a new bridge just adjacent to that original rope bridge.
Any way what happens is history now, we are still not bothered about the keeping the beauty of laksham jhulla. After an accident at lakshman jhulla, it’s passing way was reconstructed and instead of wood now there are concrete slabs to walk.
Lakshman Jhula is point of attraction for the people all over the country even for foreigners. A very good numbers of tourists come to see this bridge. But I suppose government is not bothered about those tourist and good amount of revenue too. This bridge is becoming a mess, you can see the actual jam on this bridge. Two whealers are allowed to use this bridge, you can actually see the jam on this bridge. A new bridge, Ram Jhulla has been constructed recently, that should be the way for vehicles not the popular lakshman jhulla.
I personally did not found any fun on walking this bridge, every body was in hurry pushing each other, you can not even stand on this for few minutes as motor bikes are keep on giving you the horn to give side. I will not visit Rishikesh again only to see The Great Lakshan Jhula.
You can just compare the difference by comparing the images below. What it could have been what it is right now.
June 14th, 2007 at 9:27 am
Very interesting take on Lakshman Jhoola at Rishikesh. I was there recently and I felt westerners had more regard for lakshman Jhoola than Indians - Just going by the way it is maintained.