Japanese Ambassador takes a dip in the Ganga, shares spiritual moment from Rishikesh

Japan's Ambassador to India, Ono Keiichi, shared a post of his visit to Rishikesh. He said the experience brought awe, humility and gratitude.Japan's Ambassador to India Ono Keiichi shared glimpses of his trip to Rishikesh. (Photos: @JapanAmbIndia/X)Japan’s Ambassador to India, Ono Keiichi, shared pictures and a video from his visit to Rishikesh, while standing in the Ganga river and taking three ritualistic dips. Dressed in a casual blue shirt, the ambassador was seen holding on to a chain as he immersed himself in the water.Sharing a picture from the visit, Ambassador Ono wrote, “Finally, a full dip in the Ganges in Rishikesh—three times!” He said the experience came during the Janmashtami weekend, when he was surrounded by people following centuries-old faith and traditions.He described the moment as deeply meaningful, saying he felt a “profound spiritual connection” along with “awe, humility, and gratitude”. He also called the experience “truly unforgettable”.See the post: Finally, a full dip in the Ganges in Rishikesh—three times!Over the Janmashtami weekend, surrounded by people carrying on centuries-old faith and traditions, I felt a profound spiritual connection, along with awe, humility, and gratitude.A truly unforgettable moment pic.twitter.com/A1SoVaDYuH— ONO Keiichi, Ambassador of Japan (@JapanAmbIndia) September 6, 2026 The post offered a glimpse of the ambassador participating in a ritual that is closely associated with the spiritual traditions of the Ganga. Rishikesh, situated along the river, is one of India's prominent pilgrimage and spiritual destinations and attracts visitors from across the world.His post garnered several reactions from Indian X users, many of whom welcomed the ambassador’s experience and appreciated his participation in the tradition. Several users praised his openness to experiencing Indian culture and spirituality, while others welcomed him to Rishikesh and expressed happiness at seeing the Ganga through his eyes.Ono Keiichi has been serving as Japan’s Ambassador to India since October 2024, taking over from Hiroshi Suzuki. Before his current role, he held key positions in Japan’s foreign policy establishment, including serving as Senior Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and as Japan’s G7 Sherpa during the 2023 Hiroshima Summit.- EndsPublished By: Srimoyee ChowdhuryPublished On: Sep 7, 2026 16:27 IST