Foreign Tourists in Bikinis at Rishikesh Ghat: Rishikesh’s Cultural Identity Challenged
A video showing foreign tourists bathing in bikinis at the sacred Ganga River in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, has gone viral on social media.
In the video, several young women in bikinis and young men in shorts are seen jumping into the river and playing in the water.
A user with the handle “Himalayan Hindu” shared the video on their ‘X’ account, leading to widespread outrage among netizens.
Critics argued that such behavior is inappropriate in Devbhoomi, a place known for its spiritual significance.
One user sarcastically thanked Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami for turning the holy Ganga into a Goa beach, suggesting that Rishikesh is on its way to becoming a mini Bangkok.
This user indirectly blamed the Chief Minister for allowing such activities.
Another person commented that Rishikesh is no longer a hub of spirituality, religion, and yoga, but has instead turned into another Goa.
They questioned why rave parties and zombie culture are being promoted in Rishikesh, urging the Chief Minister to take action before the sacred city is completely destroyed.
Some users expressed concern that the cultural identity of Rishikesh is being eroded by Western party culture. Critics also lambasted the authorities for turning Rishikesh into a tourist hub at the expense of its spiritual values, highlighting the challenge of preserving cultural heritage amidst global trends.
They demanded a response from the Uttarakhand government.
On the other hand, some netizens defended the foreign tourists, arguing that bathing in the river is not as harmful as polluting it with plastic and industrial waste.
One user pointed out that Indian bathers often wear underwear for river baths, questioning why foreigners should be criticized for wearing swimsuits.
Another user stated that there is nothing wrong with what the tourists did, and any objections are a reflection of personal upbringing issues.
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