(From top) A bungee jump in progress; Jumpin Heights’ café; Flying Fox involves zipping down a wire at high speeds

Rishikesh isn’t the first name that comes to mind when you say ‘bungee jumping’. But there I was, on the outskirts of the holy city, standing on the edge of a platform gazing at the void below and trying to pluck up the courage to step off the edge and hurtle downwards for about 250ft.

Bungee jumping has always been in my ‘to do before I die’ list. But I had never expected that my dream would take shape in this city on the banks of the Ganga.

Rishikesh, better known as a pilgrim centre, is fast becoming the adventure capital of India as hordes of adrenaline junkies from around the world converge on the city. From river-rafting through dangerous rapids to cliff jumping into the dead-cold water in winters, I have done it all here without having to spend a fortune. This time around, I was ready to take on the challenge of another kind.

Perched high-up in the hills of Mohanchatti about 13km from the famous Laxman Jhula, Jumpin Heights has been in the business for almost two years and has hired highly reputed jump masters from New Zealand. One can either hire a car or book a seat beforehand in the ‘Bungee Coach’, which the company operates. The bus plies from Laxman Jhula to the jump site once every hour from 9.30am to 2.30pm.

I reached the company’s office at the appointed hour and the staff gave me a quick run-through of how the jump would go and also, importantly, quizzed me about whether I suffered from any serious medical conditions. The jump is a strict no-no for patients suffering from blood pressure, neck pain or backaches. After going through all the formalities, I signed a declaration form and was then weighed for the jump.

I was guided to the platform, a huge iron structure erected on a hill. I had to walk across the bridge in order to reach the other end of the structure where all the action takes place.

They started to harness me and I began to pray that the wires would not ditch me midair! The jump crew believes in taking no chances — for obvious reasons — so they went over the rope and all the fittings twice before leading me to the jump zone. By this time, I admit, I was perspiring heavily even though it was a cold winter’s day.

They finally sat me on a chair where jump master Richard conducted last checks on my cords. By then, I was a nervous wreck.

“Good to go?”, Richard asked. ‘I hope so,’ I replied in a small and faint voice.

I was asked to kangaroo-hop to the edge of the platform as my ankles were tied with the cords. My train of thought was interrupted when Richard asked me to step over to the edge and I hesitantly complied. He asked me to put my arms out in bird-like style and focus on the red sign on the other side of the gorge. Hey, this better be good, I said to God, and finally took the leap of faith.

As I leapt in the air, the wind blew in my face and hair, and felt like thousands of small blows all at once. I was going down at a speed of about 160kph when suddenly I felt a sudden jerk on the rebound and bounced thrice before finally becoming stable in mid air. As I started nearing the ground, a crew member held out a bamboo pole for me to grab. I was pulled down and they landed me on a foam bed for a few seconds. I had just had the 30 seconds of hanging upside down.

From the landing point, one needs to climb up the hill, a 20-minute uphill walk in order to get back to the office. The trek leads you to a spectacular cafeteria housed in the company’s premises where you can relax and have a hearty meal before trying the Giant Swing.

To do the swing, you go back to the same platform. The jumper is required to hop off the platform while holding on to a loose cable, which in turn is attached to fixed ropes. Gravity pulls you down first but as the trajectory changes, you swing across like a pendulum. It’s an 80-second adventure and you should surely not miss it.

Flying fox is another attraction in which I was harnessed and released down the wire at a speed of 160kph. It’s like zip lining and the ride lasts for about 14 minutes. The good thing is that you can enjoy the scenic beauty all around.

What’s more, you can also get a recording of all your jumps from the office at a reasonable price to show it to your friends and family. So challenge your fears, and go to Rishikesh!