An ashram is a residential place where a guru resides. He teaches various activities of the Hindu cultural, such as Satsang, yoga, and meditation. He also gives lectures on Bhagavad Gita to the pilgrims. At this place, the pilgrims visit to gain spirituality and religious retreats. There are several ashrams in Rishikesh for yoga some of them are listed below.
Parmarth Niketan Rishikesh
Parmarth Niketan is one of the biggest ashrams in Rishikesh, it has 1000 rooms to accommodate the tourists. Besides the stay facilities, the Parmarth Niketan also provides treatment with Ayurvedic and music. It is situated on the banks of the river Ganga amidst the great Himalayas. This ashram was founded in 1942 by the great saint Swami Sukhdev Nandan Ji Maharaj. Every year, when the International Yoga Festival is held here, a large number of tourists come here. People visit the ashram in large numbers to learn yoga, meditation and other forms of arts. It is one of the best ashrams for meditation in Rishikesh.
Sivananda Ashram Rishikesh
The Sivananda Ashram was founded by Swami Sivananda in 1932 who was an eminent spiritual teacher. The Ashram is located on the banks of the sacred Ganges. Located in the lap of the Great Himalayas, it promotes enlightenment in the temple area. The Ashram runs several charity institutions and spiritual institutions like the Sivananda Ayurvedic medicine, the Yoga-Vedanta, the Forest Academy and the hospital of the Sivananda Eye.
Omkarananda Ganga Sadan
Omkarananda Ganga Sadan is also known as the Patanjali yoga center. The main attraction of this place is the Iyengar yoga classes. The Omkarananda Ganga Sadan is based in the area called the Muni-ki-Reti in Rishikesh, on the river banks of Ganga. Aarti is performed in the ashram every day, but not on Sundays. Anybody can participate in yoga classes but seats have to be reserved for months in advance. The rooms with views of the river are well maintained and clean. Bhagwad Gita lectures are also given at the ashram.
Yoga Niketan Ashram Rishikesh
Located in the Muni-Ki-Reti area of Rishikesh, the Yoga Niketan ashram was established in the year 1964 by the renowned master of Raj yoga Swami Yogeshwar Anand Paramhamsa. He spent a major part of his life in the Himalayas. According to the Patanjali Yoga Shastra, the ashram teaches based solely on the Eight Fold Path. There are 100 rooms in the ashram. The rooms are comfortable with separate bathrooms. The hot water facility is also available for the students.
Sadhana Mandir and Swami Rama Sadhaka Gram Ashram
Sadhana Mandir was established in the year 1966 by Swami Rama. He wrote the book “Living with the Himalayan Masters”, and several other well-known spiritual books. The main teachings of the ashram are Meditation, which is the 5,000-year-old Himalayan Tradition. Away from the hustle-bustle of the chaos, the environment of the premises is very peaceful and tranquil. Several retreats such as weekend and 10-day retreats are offered.
Swami Rama Sadhaka Grama
The ashram was established by the follower of Swami Rama, Swami Veda Bharati. This ashram offers instructions in the Himalayan Tradition on how to meditate. It is also the main center for scientific research of yogic meditation. There are rooms to accommodate 100 guests at any given time. The rooms are comfortable and affordable. There is a daily routine of activities such as meditation, breathing, and Hatha yoga.
Swami Dayananda Ashram
Swami Dayananda Ashram was founded in the year 1960 by Swami Dayananda Saraswathi. He was a renowned guru of Vedanta and a Sanskrit scholar. It is situated in the scenic environment, about 10 minutes' walking distance from the Ram Jhula. Courses offered at the ashram focusing on Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads. Other teachings in the course include Vedic chanting. In addition to this, other gurus visit the ashram and organize Iyengar and Hatha yoga retreats. There are 150 rooms with separate bathrooms.
Phool Chatti
Phool Chatti ashram was established in the later years of the 1800s. The ashram is situated in a quaint natural setting from the Laxman Jhula. The Phool Chatti Ashram is famous for its recurrent seven-day yoga and meditation programs. Not just asanas but they teach the full spectrum of the yogic path and ashram life. They will also teach meditation, pranayama, cleansing, chanting, Mauna, puja, Kirtana, and other important aspects of the yogic life. Students can also go for meditative walks as well.
Anand Prakash Ashram
Anand Prakash Ashram was established in the year 2007 by the team of husband and wife Mrs. Chetana Panwar and Yogi Rishi Vishvaketu. Located in the Tapovan area, the ashram offers a course called Akhanda Yoga. It includes a balanced sequence of asanas, pranayama, relaxation, mantra, and meditation, along with discussing and reading the lifestyle and philosophy of yoga. Apart from yoga the ashram also offers Ayurvedic cooking classes.
Osho Ganga Dham Ashram
The Osho Ganga Dham Ashram is at a distance of about 10 minutes’ drive from the Laxman Jhula. Situated on the Badrinath Road the Osho ashram Rishikesh offers several types of Meditation practices. There are meditation camps conducted all year long. Also, you can just listen to the courses and just relax at the ashram. There are dormitories and as well as deluxe private rooms depending on the affordability of the students.