At the risk of sounding preachy, being zen about life can indeed get you a lot of happiness. Yoga and meditation can do wonders to achieve that state. Especially in a country like India that’s recognized worldwide for its spirituality, you can find endless places to begin your journey towards inner peace. But, Rishikesh is hands down the best place you can visit to achieve your goal.
Known as the Yoga Capital Of The World, Rishikesh is filled with ashrams and centers that give useful yoga discourses. An added advantage? You get to go on a spiritual journey with snow-clad mountains and the pristine River Ganga serving as your backdrop.
6 Best Yoga Ashrams In Rishikesh
1. Parmarth Niketan
You’re probably no stranger to Parmarth Niketan if you’re familiar with the International Yoga Festival. Every March, Parmarth Niketan is host to thousands of yoga enthusiasts providing yoga and meditation lessons for seven days. Being the biggest ashram in Rishikesh, it has over 1,000 rooms to accommodate visitors with modern and simple amenities.
Every day at this ashram, you’ll be provided with sattvic vegetarian meals meant to fuel your body and mind. Along with different kinds of yoga taught by the best yogis, some classes teach you various Vedic chants and mantras, satsangs that answer curiosities about daily life and spirituality, and the majestic Ganga Aarti.
Price: Starting From INR 500
Address: Near Main Market Road, Ram Jhula, Swarg Ashram, Rishikesh
2. Sivananda Ashram
Make your holidays or your long weekend productive as you visit Sivananda Ashram where the lessons are available all year round. The ashram in Rishikesh focuses on the teachings designed by Swami Vishnudevananda, who focuses on the five points of yoga: Proper Exercise, Proper Breathing, Proper Relaxation, Proper Diet, and Positive Thinking & Meditation.
You’ll learn four types of traditional yoga: Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Rāja Yoga, and Jñāna Yoga. As you practice the different asanas, your mind will discover new ways of spiritual thinking. Along with that, you also feed your soul with meditation lessons and inspiring teachings.
Address: Badrinath Road, Near Ram Jhula, Shivanandanagar, Rishikesh
3. Swami Dayananda Ashram
This ashram was founded by Swami Dayananda Saraswati who is renowned for his teachings of Vedanta and Sanskrit. Being rigid followers of T Krishnamacharya, the core of the yoga lessons can be traced all the way back to the Vedic period.
You’ll be learning poses like vinyasa karma – where you correspond your spinal movements with the natural dynamics of breathing. His teachings also focus on incorporating philosophical concepts in the yoga lessons to nurture both the mind and soul and make the learning more practical.
Address: Dayanand Ashram Road, Dayananda Nagar, Chandreshwar Nagar, Rishikesh
4. Omkarananda Ganga Sadan
Learn Iyengar Yoga in the serene settings of Omkarananda Ganga Sadan. The studio is decked with yoga mats and other necessary equipment, all you have to do is enroll yourself in a course.
Iyengar Yoga is all about practicing proper alignment, sequencing, and timing. You’ll be taught how to balance between body, mind, and breathing. The professional gurus make sure that you don’t cause yourself any injury while mastering the poses.
Address: Badrinath Road, Near Taxi Stand, Shivananda Nagar, Muni Ki Reti, Rishikesh
5. Yoga Niketan
Established in 1964 by great Himalayan Yogi Paramhamsa Swami Yogeshwarananda Saraswati, Yoga Niketan is one of the oldest ashrams in Rishikesh, where you can master your breathing. It’s believed that to control your breath with unwavering focus is to control your mind without it straying to unwanted places.
There’s a special yoga place assigned for perfecting different asanas and pranayamas. The yoga classes happen twice a day, and you learn more than 300 different yoga asanas. You can even visit the Sadhna Hall or the meditation hall, which can accommodate 50-60 people at a time, to spend time in self-reflection.
Price: Starting From INR 1,344
Address: Swami Omkarananda Saraswati Road, Ganga Vatika, Rishikesh
6. Anand Prakash Yoga Foundation
If you’ve been acquainted with Yoga and want to get certified to teach people to find their way spiritually, this is one of the best ashrams to get trained. This foundation focuses on leading you through a journey that makes you feel whole and complete by the end of it. In case you’re not interested in the training session to become a Yoga guru, you can enrol on their classes where you learn asana, pranayama, mantra, and the yogic way of understanding life and the meaning behind different yogas.
Price: Starting INR 2,400
Address: Badrinath Road, Near SBI Bank, Tapovan, Rishikesh
Summing Up
These Yoga ashrams in Rishikesh are the absolute best and teach you the peaceful way of life by sitting in the lap of the River Ganga with nobody to disturb you. By the end of the retreat, you’ll surely feel like a new person and be happier with your mind, body, and soul.
FAQs
How Much Does Rishikesh Ashram Cost?
Ashrams in Rishikesh start from INR 500. The prices depend on the kind of room you select and the courses you enroll in.
Where Can I Stay Free Of Cost In Rishikesh?
Geeta Bhawan is an ashram in Rishikesh that provides free lodging and food for those who volunteer. They have more than 1,000 rooms for accommodation.
Can I Stay In An Ashram In Rishikesh?
Yes, you can. Some ashrams in Rishikesh are free if you volunteer, and the others are paid. The prices depend on ashram to ashram and the kind of accommodation you’re going for.
What Are The Rules Of Ashram?
Ashrams request you to maintain certain rules like dressing properly, not smoking and alcohol, and avoiding male-female relations.
