Bungee jumping comes of age in Uttarakhand
Want to feel like your heart is going to fly right out of your chest? Or better still, do you want to fly with no wings? No, we’re not asking you to fall in love. To feel all this and more, push your boundaries to the max and take the plunge, literally. Bungee jumping is not just a casual fling, it’s a lifelong affair. Adventure tourism in India was restricted to the good ol’ white water rafting and mountaineering in Rishikesh few years ago. But now, you don’t have to rush abroad to check bungee jumping off your bucket list. Just head to Mohan Chhati near Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, to jump from the highest bungee platform in the country. With trained jump masters, who’ve safely carried out more than 10,000 jumps till now, be assured you won’t be up in the air unsupervised. Bungee jump? yeah! The idea of jumping with an elastic chord for company, from an 83 metrehigh suspended platform over river Hiual, doesn’t sound so daunting at first. And, the journey to the epicentre of extreme adventure is a pleasant distraction. You can reach the location on bike while taking in the beautiful Himalayan terrain and fresh air, though taxis and buses are also readily available. To jump or not The beautiful river and sunshine make it easy to lose sight of the task ahead. For me, the realisation sunk in just when I was being strapped up into the safety gear. It is natural to break into a cold sweat when you look down and can’t tell the security staff on land from the tiny pebbles on the riverside. “Even after having bungeejumped umpteen times, I still feel scared. Don’t think about anything, just jump,” master Marc Leblanc advised me on the platform. The jump masters have a ‘nopush’ policy, which means that you have to take the plunge of your own accord. Basically, bungee jumping is like meditation for adrenalin junkies, it’s best to clear your mind and… jump! Whoa … For a split second you will be at a standstill in air, the drama begins when Earth’s gravitational pull grabs you with such force, you will be at a loss of emotions. From shrieking like a banshee, to laughing like a hyena and the fright of freefalling are just the surface of the emotions you’ll feel. Indulge in them uninhibitedly; nobody can see you pulling faces midair anyway. The entire experience lasts a few seconds, but will stay with you forever. My favourite part when your feet land on the ground, your mind screams on repeat What just happened? The ‘I Got Guts’ badge, given postjump, is no less than a Nobel Prize. The only downside is that now you’ve created a monster the need to feel the adrenalin rush again is irresistible, and you may find yourself strapped in the safety gear, ready to jump year after year. Disclaimer: The writer’s travel and stay for the purpose of this story was sponsored by Jumpin Heights, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand Fact file *The safety standards followed by the organisers correspond with those in Australia and New Zealand. *You can avail a 20 per cent discount at the adventure hub (the brain child of three exarmy officers), if you visit during the Bungy *Week, that kickstarts on Army Day (Jan 15), to honour the spirit of the Indian Army. *If bungee jumping is not your cup of tea, get your dose of adrenalin rush from Asia’s longest Flying Fox and Giant Rope Swing activities, also available at the location. Getting around
