A Monsoon Tale from Raga on the Ganges
- Muskan Pandey | July 20, 2025
Every year, as June gently folds into July, the monsoon tiptoes into the Himalayan foothills, carrying with it not just rain—but a whole new life. And at Raga on the Ganges, nestled deep in the heart of Singthali near Rishikesh, this transformation is nothing short of magical.
It begins subtly. The mountains, weary from months of scorching summer sun, wear a dusty brown hue. The earth is cracked, dry and waiting. Then comes the first drizzle, like a whisper to the land—a promise of something better. A hint of green emerges, just a sprinkle here and there. And then, almost as if nature had been holding its breath, everything bursts into colour. Trees stretch their arms skyward, their leaves glistening with new life. Wildflowers bloom along winding paths, grass carpets the hills and the landscape turns into a vibrant tapestry of green.
At Raga, you're not just watching this change from afar. You're immersed in it.
The views from your room, balcony, or garden bench are now alive with motion—mist rolling over mountaintops, raindrops dancing on leaves, clouds lazily brushing past. One moment, the hills are clear and sunlit, the next, you're surrounded by a gentle white fog, turning every corner of the resort into a private hideaway.
But it's not just what you see—it's what you feel.
The air turns cool, clean and impossibly crisp. There's no pollution here, no horns or smoke or the constant buzz of a city. Raga becomes what we like to call a "natural oxygen chamber" with AQI levels so low that breathing itself feels like an act of healing. You inhale deeply, and it's as if the very breath of the mountains is filling your lungs. Every breath is refreshing, every exhale brings calm.
Walk barefoot on the rain-kissed grass. Sit under a tree and listen to the rain softly tapping on the leaves above. The monsoon doesn't interrupt your days here—it enhances them. It slows time.
Then, there are the clouds.
Soft, dreamy and always on the move, they descend from the peaks and float down to meet you. Some days, they drift right past your balcony. On others, they sneak into your room as you sip your morning tea. You'll find yourself sitting still just to admire them—how they wrap the landscape in mystery, how they make even a short walk feel like a scene from a fairytale.
During monsoon, the Ganges, which flows gently beneath the resort, becomes louder and more powerful. Her voice is no longer a murmur but a song—a lullaby that rises with the rain. You hear it blend with the rustling leaves, the chirping birds, and the occasional wind that moves like a dancer through the valley. Every day at Raga during the monsoon is an invitation to slow down.
Wrap yourself in a warm shawl and sip on spiced herbal tea. Read a book while listening to the rhythm of rain. Take a quiet yoga session on the terrace surrounded by mist and fresh mountain air. Or simply do nothing—because even stillness here feels like something.
Evenings are particularly special. The hills shimmer in the golden hour glow, and the sound of the river deepens. You'll want to sit by the edge of the property and watch as twilight gently settles across the valley. The rain softens. The sky turns shades of orange and blue. A peaceful silence descends—and in that silence, something inside you settles too.