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Conspiracy Charges Bring Proud Boys' History Of Violence Into Spotlight
Tom Dreisbach
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Pro-Trump rioters, including members of the far-right extremist group the Proud Boys, gather near the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. At least 25 people charged in the attack appear to have links to the Proud Boys, according to court documents. / Getty Images
Editor's Note: This story includes explicit language.
In June 2018, a member of the Proud Boys punched a counterprotester in the jaw, shoved him into the pavement in Portland, Ore., and sent him to the hospital with a serious concussion.
The counterprotester had used a metal baton to strike first, and the Proud Boys leader, Ethan Nordean, claimed self-defense. In the end, Nordean, a former bodybuilder, faced no legal consequences for knocking out the man.
In fact, the far-right extremist group has celebrated the video of that punch as a rallying cry for more than two years, playing and replaying it, turning it into memes and even at least one painting.
"Violence isn't great," Nordean said not long after the incident, paraphrasing the founder of the Proud Boys. "But justified violence is amazing."
Federal prosecutors now allege that Nordean, 30, along with fellow Proud Boy Joe Biggs, 37, saw former President Donald Trump's calls to overturn the result of the 2020 presidential election as justification to launch a conspiracy to bring violence and chaos to the Capitol on Jan. 6. After years of the Proud Boys largely escaping scrutiny from law enforcement, the cases brought by the government could result in prison time for leading members of the group.
Joe Biggs (left) and Ethan Nordean (right) walk toward the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. Members of the Proud Boys, including Biggs and Nordean, have become central targets of the Justice Department's sprawling investigation into the Capitol riot. / AP
In an April 6 hearing seeking detention for Biggs and Nordean, prosecutors faced skeptical questioning from a federal judge and pushback from defense attorneys, who point out that neither Nordean nor Biggs is accused of attacking police, bringing — let alone using — a dangerous weapon, or personally damaging significant amounts of property.
But prosecutors say Biggs and Nordean pose a danger to the public because of their particular ability to incite fellow Proud Boys and others to commit violence. That forms much of the basis for the government's argument that Nordean and Biggs should be locked up pending trial on conspiracy and other charges.
An examination of hours of interviews and statements from Biggs, Nordean and other Proud Boys leaders shows that in addition to the group's often hateful and discriminatory ideology, violence has always been at the core of the group's identity. But it remains to be seen how years' worth of extremist rhetoric, and at times involvement with real violence, will play into the federal case against the group.
Nordean's lawyer did not respond to NPR. And Biggs' lawyer declined to comment.
The origins of the Proud Boys
From its inception in 2016, the Proud Boys have been steeped in violence. But the group's use of seemingly outlandish rituals and even childish language can mask its danger. The group takes its name from a song in the Broadway musical version of Disney's Aladdin. Nordean goes by the nickname "Rufio Panman," a reference to Hook, the 1991 family movie set in the Peter Pan universe.
"I think the absurdity and the ridiculousness of the Proud Boys is a very conscious strategy," said Cassie Miller, a senior research analyst with the Southern Poverty Law Center. Miller argues that the group uses irony and humor "to inoculate themselves from criticism from people who take them seriously."
The group was founded by Gavin McInnes, a far-right political commentator from Canada who also co-founded Vice magazine. In a 2017 interview with the podcaster Joe Rogan, McInnes called the group an all-male "gang," focused on drinking. Members sometimes refer to the group as a fraternity, or a "drinking club with a patriotism problem." Like other gangs, members receive nicknames. To reach the second degree of membership, McInnes told Rogan, "we beat the s*** out of you until you can name five breakfast cereals." Online videos depicting the second degree show members punching a recruit in the stomach as he tries to recite brand names like Cinnamon Toast Crunch or Cocoa Puffs.
To reach the fourth degree, McInnes said, "you get arrested or in a serious violent fight for the cause." (During the interview, Rogan responded, "So you're promoting violence?" and told McInnes, "You should erase that part." McInnes has, at times, claimed the fourth degree should be reached only in self-defense.)
The Proud Boys' cause, in the words of the Anti-Defamation League, is "violent, nationalistic, Islamophobic, transphobic and misogynistic." Officially, the group rejects racism and touts the multiracial backgrounds of some members. But they also describe themselves as proponents of "Western chauvinism" — the belief that Western European culture is superior to all others.
"Essentially that translates to 'European chauvinism' or 'European pride,' which would have been the same thing as 'white pride,' that we would have said," said Christian Picciolini, a former extremist who now helps people disengage from the white supremacist movement.
"Proud Boys are probably the closest thing to what I was 30 years ago, and I was a white power skinhead," said Picciolini.
It's not hard to find explicitly racist language from McInnes or connections to overtly white supremacist figures.
For example, in 2016, McInnes called Jada Pinkett Smith a "monkey actress." In 2017, he uploaded a video originally titled "10 Things I Hate About Jews." (After receiving widespread criticism for anti-Semitism, as well as praise from white supremacists, McInnes later changed the title to "10 Things I Hate About Israel" and claimed he had been taken out of context.) Jason Kessler, who organized the 2017 white nationalist Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Va., was a Proud Boy. After a neo-Nazi killed an anti-racism protester named Heather Heyer at that rally, McInnes disavowed Kessler.
Far-right extremist Jason Kessler (center) walks to the White House in 2018 on the first anniversary of the Unite the Right rally. In the background, a protester holds a sign invoking the name of Heather Heyer, the woman killed in the 2017 rally in Charlottesville, Va. / AP
In response to questions from NPR, McInnes disputed that any of his past comments were racist or anti-Semitic, describing them instead as "satirical" and "sarcastic."
He also wrote in an email that violence is not core to the group's identity. "The violence you see from Proud Boys is a reaction to the unmitigated violence from antifa that the media ignores," he said, and that "I have encouraged FIGHTING BACK."
He also said that he discouraged the group from any involvement in the pro-Trump rallies on Jan. 6. "I made it very clear the whole thing was a bad idea and implored Proud Boys not to go," McInnes wrote.
Street violence
Picciolini, who now runs the organization Free Radicals, told NPR that he views the Proud Boys as the "street thugs" of the white power movement.
"They're the ones who attend the rallies and protests to try and intimidate other people — counterprotesters," said Picciolini.
When Ethan Nordean sent that counterprotester to the hospital with a "significant concussion" in 2018, according to a police report first reported by The New York Times, it became a powerful symbol to try to intimidate the group's opponents and recruit new members.
McInnes called it "the greatest punch in the history of Trump's presidency" and called it "art" as he cackled while watching the video on repeat. Nordean also appeared on the far-right, conspiracy-mongering show Infowars, where host Alex Jones called him a "folk hero."
In June 2018, Ethan Nordean punched a counterprotester in the jaw and shoved him to the pavement in Portland, Ore. The Proud Boys have since used the video of that punch as a rallying cry. / Zakjal/Screenshot by NPR
Nordean appeared to embrace the praise and framed the violent brawl as a battle for the future of the country. "This is at least a very soft civil war right now," Nordean told Jones, "and if people don't wake up to what's going on right now, it's going to get worse."
"If you looked at the numbers of people who are joining these groups, they skyrocketed after Nordean's punch," said Miller of the Southern Poverty Law Center. "So this is a really effective form of propaganda. And law enforcement was essentially taking a really hands-off approach."
Later that year, in New York City, multiple members of the Proud Boys faced criminal charges for attacking counterprotesters after an event McInnes hosted. The event involved McInnes reenacting the 1960 assassination of a Japanese socialist leader by a far-right ultra-nationalist. McInnes played the assassin, according to a journalist who witnessed the event.
Unlike the aftermath of other incidents, members of the Proud Boys received prison time. "I know enough about history to know what happened in Europe in the '30s when political street brawls were allowed to go ahead without any type of check from the criminal justice system," said New York Judge Mark Dwyer as he sentenced two members to four years in prison.
McInnes officially distanced himself from the group after the New York incident.
Still, experts say the group continued to grow.
"It's not just about drunken street brawls, but it is about using street violence as a political tool to spread a message," said Devin Burghart, executive director of the Institute for Research & Education on Human Rights. "And they've been pretty successful at doing that up until this point."
Joe Biggs' path to the Proud Boys
Joe Biggs, who is charged along with Nordean, brought a degree of media savvy to the Proud Boys, assisted in the group's growth and also has a history of violent rhetoric.
In court papers, federal prosecutors have described Biggs as a key instigator of Proud Boys' violence with significant sway among its members. "There is simply no adequate method to monitor [Biggs'] communication in such a way that would guard against future attacks by his followers," prosecutors alleged.
Biggs came to the Proud Boys after serving in the Army, where he deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, according to the military. In a 2020 interview with a podcast, Biggs claimed he told an Army recruiter, "I want combat. I want to go to Iraq as soon as possible. I want to kill these motherf******."
He was awarded multiple decorations for his service, including the Purple Heart, the Army confirmed to NPR. During one of his deployments, he told another podcast in 2019, he started getting interested in politics after watching the Sept. 11 "truther" film Loose Change. The film spread debunked conspiracy theories, including that the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks were the result of an "inside job" by the U.S. government.
Joe Biggs, a member of the Proud Boys, speaks into a megaphone in front of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. Biggs, charged in the Capitol riot, assisted in the group's growth and also has a history of violent rhetoric. / Getty Images
After leaving the Army, Biggs started working for Alex Jones' Infowars as a correspondent. But Biggs said leaving the military was difficult. "He has struggled with combat-related PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), depression and some related alcohol problems," his lawyer stated in one court filing.
According to court documents, he joined the Proud Boys in 2018 and became an organizer for the group. Biggs has compared planning for Proud Boys events to "planning to go into a combat zone." His lawyer claimed in a court filing that Biggs was also providing information to the FBI about Proud Boys demonstrations, as well as antifa, around this time.
But his claims of close contact with law enforcement did not keep him from threatening to use force. In one case, he recorded a video of himself holding an American-flag-themed bat with spikes on the end, saying he was preparing to "bust some heads." He also wore a T-shirt with the phrase "Training to Throw Communists Out of Helicopters" emblazoned on the front.
"I'm going to talk s***," Biggs told an interviewer in 2020. "Especially to the people I f***ing hate, that I despise. And yes, I do hate, and hate is a strong word, but that's a good word to use for those people."
Escalating violent rhetoric
After the November 2020 election, the Proud Boys supported Trump's bid to overturn the results, echoed his false claims of widespread voter fraud and escalated their calls for violence.
"It's time for f***ing War if they steal this s***," Biggs posted on social media on Nov. 5, 2020, two days after the election, according to federal prosecutors.
The group also opposed public health efforts to impose new coronavirus restrictions amid a growing wave of new cases. Its rhetoric became even more violent, including toward government officials.
"They're evil scum, and they all deserve to die a traitor's death," Biggs said on a livestreamed Proud Boys show called WarBoys.
"Yup, Day of the Rope," Nordean replied.
The "Day of the Rope," according to the Anti-Defamation League, is a "white supremacist concept" taken from a book influential among racist extremists. The book, The Turner Diaries, depicts a white supremacist revolution, and it has been linked to more than 40 acts of violence and was a direct inspiration for the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, which killed more than 160 people.
Ethan Nordean, a leader of the Proud Boys, walks toward the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. After Nordean punched a counterprotester in 2018, membership in the far-right group skyrocketed, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center. / AP
Around that same time, in December 2020, prosecutors allege, Nordean and Biggs were two of the Proud Boys planning, raising funds and gathering protective gear and radios for the coming riot at the U.S. Capitol. Prosecutors have said in court that Nordean managed to raise more than $16,000 ahead of the riot.
The group publicly announced ahead of Jan. 6 that members would not appear in their typical black-and-yellow clothing and would instead attempt to blend in with the crowd. Biggs' defense attorney has argued that the decision to go "incognito" was a safety measure in response to a stabbing of a Proud Boys member in Washington, D.C., during a pro-Trump demonstration.
Just days before the riot, Nordean spoke out on his own podcast and emphasized that he was willing to again use violence.
"When police officers or government officials are breaking the law, what are we supposed to do as the people? Discourse? What are we supposed to debate?" Nordean asked rhetorically. "No, you have to use force."
By Jan. 5, federal prosecutors say, Biggs and Nordean had arrived in the Washington, D.C., area and Biggs messaged fellow members of the group: "We are trying to avoid getting into any s*** tonight. Tomorrow's the day."
The government's case against the Proud Boys
Biggs and Nordean are among more than 20 Proud Boys who are facing criminal charges related to the Capitol riot, including charges of conspiracy. Separately, the group's chairman, Enrique Tarrio, is also facing charges in Washington, D.C., for allegedly burning a Black Lives Matter flag at an earlier demonstration and for illegally possessing high-capacity ammunition magazines.
Despite their violent rhetoric in the run-up to the Capitol attack, Biggs and Nordean have not been accused of assaulting law enforcement on that day. The government has primarily alleged that they helped instigate the mob and coordinate the attack, while other members of the group, such as Dominic Pezzola and William Pepe, face charges of assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers. Another Proud Boy, William Chrestman, is charged with threatening "to assault, kidnap, and murder a federal law enforcement officer."
Nordean's defense attorneys have sought to poke holes in the prosecution's claims of extensive planning by the Proud Boys, arguing in court papers that Nordean's cellphone had died and that he was unable to coordinate any attack on the Capitol that day. They also cite messages sent among other Proud Boys members in which there were complaints about the lack of planning, with one member stating, "This is so unorganized!"
Nordean's attorneys argue that messages among members showed that the group was in Washington to "thwart attacks on supporters of the president, not infiltrate the Capitol Building to commit crimes."
They also cite the words of Michael Sherwin, the former acting U.S. attorney who until recently led the government's prosecution of the Capitol breach cases. Sherwin told CBS' 60 Minutes that while the government believes that the Proud Boys, along with anti-government militia group the Oath Keepers, developed plans for Jan. 6, "we don't know what the full plan is."
Biggs' attorney claimed in a court filing that his client supports law enforcement and "twice came to the aid of a police officer who was being beaten."
Researchers who follow the Proud Boys told NPR that they were uncertain about the degree to which the group may have orchestrated the storming of the Capitol, as opposed to exacerbating an already-chaotic situation.
"I think they saw an opportunity that if this escalated, they had a moment to be a part of that escalation," said Shannon Reid, a professor at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, who has written about alt-right gangs. "But I would be hard-pressed to really believe that they had a true well-executed plan for taking over the government."
Still, even if the planning was haphazard, the events of the day resulted in five deaths, more than 100 injured law enforcement officers and an event that the FBI now describes as an act of domestic terrorism. And prosecutors say they intend to show that the Proud Boys were at the heart of that day's terror.
"It's a group that is trying to create really combustible situations and push them as far as they can," said the Southern Poverty Law Center's Miller. "And on the 6th, that is exactly what they did."
Tags: U.S. Capitol insurrection Capitol riot far-right extremism proud boys domestic extremism
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Matthew Barakat, Associated Press
Published: July 15, 2021, 3:24 PM
Tags: Guns, Virginia
Engineered Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. to invest $6.1 million to expand facility in Danville
Appeals court: Dealers can sell handguns to 18-year-olds
(Keith Srakocic, Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
FALLS CHURCH, Va. – A federal law that for more than 50 years has banned licensed firearms dealers from selling handguns to young adults between age 18 and 21 is unconstitutional, a federal appeals court ruled Tuesday.
In a 2-1 opinion, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond overturned a lower court ruling upholding the law.
Judge Julius Richardson, a Trump appointee, wrote that the right to bear arms is a "cherished constitutional right" that vests at age 18.
"(W)e refuse to relegate either the Second Amendment or 18- to 20-year-olds to a second-class status," Richardson wrote.
It is unclear whether the ruling would have any immediate impact. A different appeals court, the 5th Circuit, ruled in an opposite manner on the same issue several years ago.
Also, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, which is named as the defendant in the lawsuit, could seek an appeal before the full 4th Circuit panel. The three-judge panel that ruled Tuesday had a 2-1 majority of GOP-appointed judges, but the 4th Circuit as a whole has a narrow majority of Democratic-appointed judges.
The ATF referred questions to the Justice Department, which did not immediately respond Tuesday to a call and email seeking comment.
Richardson, in his ruling, cites recent U.S. Supreme Court precedent, particularly the 2008 Heller decision, which declared that the Second Amendment applies to individuals and not just those connected to militia service.
He also cites historical references to the time of the Founding Fathers, noting that 18-year-olds typically served in the militia at age 18.
In a dissent, Judge James Wynn, an Obama appointee, accused his colleagues of breaking "new ground by invalidating a modest and long-established effort to control gun violence."
"But the majority's decision to grant the gun lobby a victory in a fight it lost on Capitol Hill more than fifty years ago is not compelled by law," Wynn wrote.
Tuesday's ruling was prompted by a lawsuit by 19-year-old Natalia Marshall, a University of Virginia student who said she wanted a handgun as protection from an abusive ex-boyfriend.
A federal law, enacted in 1968, bars federally licensed dealers from selling handguns to persons under age 21. But those age 18 and over are still permitted under federal law to purchase handguns from a private party. They also are allowed to buy long guns from a dealer.
The National Rifle Association said it applauded the decision.
"The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals recognized today that millions of young adults must be allowed to exercise their fundamental constitutional right," said Amy Hunter, the NRA's director of media relations, in an emailed statement.
ll contents © copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved

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Rishikesh or sometimes called as Hrishikesh is a heritage city, located in the foothills of Himalayas. It is called as Yoga Capital of the world and Gateway to the Himalayas. Rishikesh is one of the ancient and holy cities of India, located on the banks of majestic river Ganga. It is surrounded by beautiful Himalayan hills from three sides and breathtaking scenic beauty.
It is considered to be one of the holiest places in India, especially for Hindus. There are numerous temples and ashrams located on the banks of Ganges river. In 2015, Government of India declared that Rishikesh and Haridwar will be first Indian cities to be called as 'twin national heritage cities'. Due to the holy nature of the city, alcohol and non-vegetarian food are prohibited in and around Rishikesh.
The best part of Rishikesh is that it offers a complete package to the visitors. There is something for everyone to have a perfect vacation, ranging from religious and spiritual experiences, scenic beauty, adventure sports, waterfalls etc. Rishikesh has become popular in western countries, ever since the Beatles band visited in the late '60s.
Rishikesh is named after Lord Hrishikesha, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Hrishikesh is the name of Lord Vishnu, which is mentioned in Vishnu Sahasranama. 'Hrishika' means senses and 'Isa' means lord, thus it becomes 'lord of the senses'. In 'Skanda Purana', this place is called as Kubjamraka, as Lord Vishnu appeared under a mango tree.
As per legend, Lord Rama and Lakshmana came to this place after killing Ravana. It is believed that Rama did penance here for killing Ravana in a war because Ravana was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. Legendary Adi Shankaracharya has established many temples along the banks of Ganga such as Bharat Mandir, Lakshman Mandir, Shatrughna Mandir etc.
The summer starts from March and lasts till the month of June. The average temperature at this time will be around 35 degrees. During the monsoon season, which is during the month of June to August, there will be heavy rainfall. The winter season starts from November and continues up to February. During December-January period, the temperature can fall up to 6 degrees.
Rishikesh can be visited any time during the year. However, monsoon season could be chaotic. There will be flooding and landslides during monsoon and many places cannot be visited at this time. The best time to visit Rishikesh and to enjoy the fullest is in the winter season. But Dec-Jan period could be biting cold and one has to take necessary precaution while visiting Rishikesh.
Rishikesh is one of the most revered spiritual centers of India, where all types and ages of people visit and enjoy the stay. This heritage city is a popular travel destination, which caters to people with diverse taste. Rishikesh offers the following activities to the visitors.
1. Temples – There are many ancient and modern temples located in Rishikesh. These temples are dedicated to many Gods and Goddesses, like Neelkanth Mahadev temple, Tera Manzil temple. Bharat temple etc.
2. Sacred Bath and Ganga Aarti – Hindus personify river Ganga as a goddess and consider very sacred. On Triveni Ghat, one can take a dip and experience the river Ganges. Triveni ghat is the confluence of three sacred rivers, Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati. One should not miss taking part in Ganga Aarti while visiting Rishikesh. The spectacle of Ganga Aarti is the visual treat for every pilgrim. Ganga aarti is the way of showing gratitude to goddess Ganga, through lighting lamps or diyas, chanting mantras and singing in praises. A large number of people gather on the banks of Ganga to witness this spectacle.
3. Yoga and Spirituality – Rishikesh is known as Yoga capital of the world. Ashrams in Rishikesh promote spirituality and yoga activities. If one is interested in meditation and spiritual practices, they can head to any of the ashrams. Ashrams and Yoga retreats offer various yoga and meditation techniques. Along with spiritual discourses, ashrams also offer lodging facilities and other activities.
4. Adventure Trail – Rishikesh is definitely a heaven for adventurous activities The scenic beauty coupled with a mountainous stretch of Rishikesh is a perfect destination for an adventurous excursion. Trekking, rafting, rock climbing, jungle safari, bungee jumping and many other activities offer adventurous experience to young legs and enthusiasts.
5. Food and Shopping – Rishikesh is very famous for shopping with the traveling community. Rishikesh is filled with shops, which sell religious/spiritual items, ayurvedic products, antique items, gems & jewelry, spiritual books etc. The three main shopping areas are near Lakshman Jhula, Ram Jhula, and Triveni Ghat area.
Some of the places one must visit during their Rishikesh trip are given below.
Triveni Ghat is one of the sacred and popular places in Rishikesh on the banks of river Ganga, with pilgrims bathing around. It is the confluence of three rivers – Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati. It is believed that the holy bathing in this place cleanses all the sins. Also, people visit Triveni ghat to perform last rites for the deceased. It is said that Lord Krishna visited this place in Dwapara Yuga. One can visit Geeta Mandir and Lakshmi Narayan Temple near Triveni Ghat.
Ganga Aarti in Triveni ghat is a spectacle to watch. Ganga Aarti along with the chants of vedic hymns is enchanting and makes the devotees spiritually awakened. It is a way of showing the gratitude to river Ganga because Hindus personify Ganga as Goddess. Devotees light diyas (lamps) and leave it on the water to be floated along with flowers. A large number of devotees gather on the ghat to witness this event.
Beatles Ashram is one of the famous ashrams in Rishikesh. During the 1960s and 1970s, this ashram was the training center for students of Maharshi Mahesh Yogi, who devised the Transcendental Meditation technique. It acclaimed global attention when rock band the Beatles visited and practiced meditation in this serene place. Now it has been called as Beatle Ashram itself. The place was abandoned in the 1990s for various reasons and again reopened in 2015.
Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is dedicated to a form of Lord Shiva called Neelkanth. Like many other Shiva temples, the presiding deity of the temple is in the form of Shivling. Lord Shiva got the name 'Neelkanth' after he consumed the poison, which was released during Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean). The temple is built at the place where Lord Shiva consumed that poison. The temple is situated at a distance of 25 km from Rishikesh.
Kunjapuri Devi Temple is one of the Shakti Peethas of Uttarakhand. Kunjapuri temple is dedicated to Goddess Sati (a form of Parvati). It is believed that the chest of Sati had fallen in this place when Lord Shiva was carrying the body of Sati. Besides the temple visit, visitors also enjoy the sunrise and the view of the Himalayan mountain range from this place. There are about 150 to 200 steps and it is definitely a worth visit.
Vashishta Gufa is named after a great saint and one of the seven great sages, Rishi Vashishta. It is located on the banks of river Ganges. It is believed that Sage Vashishta used to meditate in this place and had ashram. There are about 50 steps to climb down. It is a great place to visit if you are on a journey of discovering spirituality and meditation. Currently, Swami Purushottamananda trust is maintaining the place. It is located about 25 km from Rishikesh city.
Swargashram, literally known as 'heavenly abode' is a large part of the area in Rishikesh, where many ashrams, temples, yoga schools and religious and ayurvedic shops located within. The famous ashrams located within Swargashram are Parmarth Niketan, Geeta Bhavan etc. The area is named after one of the ancient ashram located in the area, swargshram or Kali Kamliwale Kshetra ashram(or Vanaprasth Ashram). This ashram was built in the memory of Swami Vishuddhanand, who was known locally as Kali Kambli wala (a saint with a black rug). The ashram provides boarding and lodging facility to the travelers under Kali Kamliwale Yatri Nivas.
Geeta Bhavan is a branch of very famous Geeta Press, Gorakhpur. The main aim of the institution is to promote the principles of Sanatana Dharma. It is a huge complex, comprising discourse hall and over 1000 rooms to stay for the devotees at free of cost. Regular discourses are organized in the ashram. There will be heavy demand for the rooms in the ashram, especially during programs. There is a bookstore and an ayurvedic store if one is interested. They serve nice, vegetarian satvik food for all the visitors at a nominal cost. Many people work here as volunteers. It is located in Swargashram area, near Ram Jhula.
Bharat Mandir is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the form of Hrishikesha Narayana. Hrishikesha is mentioned in Vishnu Sahasranama, which means lord of the senses. Rishikesh is named after this temple. Adi Shankaracharya had reinstalled the presiding deity of the temple in the 9th century. There is a museum attached to the temple, where one can see very ancient idols and collection of artifacts, which are believed to be more than a thousand years old. However, contrary to the popular perception, this temple is not dedicated to Bharat, the brother of Lord Rama. The temple is located near Triveni Ghat.
Dayananda Ashram is a spiritual organization, established in the 1960s by Swami Dayananda Saraswati to spread Vedanta and Sanskrit studies. There is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva as Gangadhareshwara. They hold daily discourses on the Upanishads, integrated with commentaries of Adi Shankaracharya. There is a library with more than 500 books on vedanta, philosophy, yoga, religion etc. There is a yoga studio, where regular Iyengar style yoga camps are conducted. It is located on the banks of holy river Ganga near Ram Jhula in Muni ki Reti, Rishikesh.
Phool Chatti Ashram is over 120 years old ashram, founded by Sri Devi Dayal Maharaj, a spiritual saint, to serve his fellow sadhus and other spiritual travelers. Phool Chatti literally means 'land of flowers'. The ashram conducts regular yoga retreat programs with accommodation facilities. The ashram is located on the banks of river Ganga and surrounded by mountain forest and rich nature.
Rishikesh is not only the place for yoga and meditation but also it attracts visitors with many adventure activities. Rishikesh offers a variety of adventure sports which cater to every individual. Picturesque mountain ranges of the Himalayas along with majestic Ganga makes it more thrilling and exciting. Some of the popular adventure activities are: River Rafting, Rappelling, Bungee Jumping, Cliff Jumping, Giant Swing, Body Surfing, Camping, Mountain Biking, Rock Climbing, Kayaking etc.
Neer Garh or sometimes called as Neer Gaddu waterfall is a beautiful and magnificent waterfall on the lap of mother nature. Surrounded by serene nature, you are sure to be lost in this beautiful world. There are two bathing pools at a trekking distance of 2 km and one has to trek to visit these locations. Few snacks stalls are available which serve maggi, tea, cold drinks, snacks etc. It is a paradise for nature lovers as well as photographers. If you continue to trek upwards, you will find a couple of camping areas. Neer Garh waterfall is located at a distance of 7 km from Lakshman Jhula.


SCOTT Parker has tipped QPR to survive a battle against relegation because Harry Redknapp is now at the club.
The Tottenham midfielder has been constantly linked with a move to Rs over the last two seasons – but reckoned while he only wanted to re-establish himself in the Spurs line-up, the England international could see his former boss working a bit of magic in west London.
Rangers earned a dogged point in the 0-0 draw against Spurs on Saturday, with Parker coming on as a sub to further a comeback after an Achilles injury.
He said: "I thought QPR stuck to a game plan and were very resilient and it worked for them.
"They went to Stamford Bridge and won, and got another good point against a very good team – us, who were third.
"With Harry in there, I think they've got every chance and can turn it around.


when you're on a road trip, you probably will be in the car for long periods of time. to break up those long stretches of driving, i recommend stopping at anyplace that looks cool along the way. a lot of times you will see signs promoting places to stop…or a place to get a local treat…or a historical site for the area. they don't always end up being super exciting, but sometimes they are! it's called exploring…and MANY times, these stops have been some of our favorite places to visit on our travels. don't let the excuse of not wanting to get every one out of the car, or you need to get there faster discourage your decision to make stops along your route. everyone needs a break from driving and by stopping and taking a break to explore, you will probably continue your journey with renewed energy.
one of these impromptu stops we made along our road trip was Fort Zion in Virgin Utah. it is located on the side of the road just a few miles outside of west entrance to Zion National Park. it's sort of a tourist trap….but a good one.
what draws you in, is the awesome little old wild west buildings and covered wagons. at least for me, it was a photographers dream with the detailed painted buildings, mountainous backdrops and perfect blue skies.
inside the main fort, there is a huge gift shop with everything you could image…from the old west to native American crafts and artifacts. there is also a restaurant that has burgers and homemade ice cream and treats that has gotten great reviews on Yelp and other websites.
my boys were very intrigued with everything, and the adventure in this stop was trying to make sure they didn't touch anything!
you could even get your fortune told by Pappy. my littlest boy Vann, thought this was soooo funny.
outside the main fort is where you find the great painted wild west buildings. to visit this area it costs $1 per person. there is also a petting zoo. you can buy carrots 3/$1 to feed them…animals such as lama, donkeys and deer.
my boys just needed to get their energy out and ran among the buildings and enjoyed the sunshine.
i had the best time taking photos of it all and taking in the beautiful landscape that surrounded Fort Zion Trading Post.
this is one of the many stops we made along our trip that we really enjoyed. it may have only been 30 minutes of our journey, but the memories of the fun we had will last forever.