India, July 19 -- There's a version of Rishikesh most travellers associate with: ghats alive with worshippers, temple bells echoing through the air, the laid-back hum of cafe, street markets overflowing with bohemian fashion, and the legendary river dotted with adventure seekers rafting its rapids.

A Getaway By The Ganges Over the years, each visit has revealed a different facet of the town to me. This time, I arrived solo, seeking an intentional pause.

From Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, I set off by car, skirting the familiar bustle of Rishikesh before following the winding curves of the Rishikesh-Badrinath highway.

A lone raft awaited me for a two-minute river crossing to get to the beach across (Photo Credit: Shikha Shah) After 9...