Here is a list of Ashrams in Rishikesh for yoga and meditation:
1. Sivananda Ashram
Sivananda Ashram is one of the most famous ashrams in Rishikesh and top yoga centres in India. It was founded by Swami Sivananda and is run by the Divine Life Society. Free yoga and meditation classes along with free accommodations and food are available. The Academy at this Rishikesh Ashram conducts three courses in a year, each of two months duration - First course (March to April), Second course (May to June) and Third course (September to October).
Location: near Ram Jhula, Ganga Vatika, Rishikesh
Timings: Monday - Saturday: 9 :00 AM–12:00 PM, 2:00–5:00 PM Sundays: 6:00 AM–10:00 PM
2. Parmarth Niketan Ashram
Parmarth Niketan is one of the top yoga centres in India and the most prominent ashrams in Rishikesh. It is located on the holy banks of Ganga with an accommodation of 1,000 rooms on its eight-acre campus. Two yoga classes and three meals daily are provided. The daily activities include universal morning prayers, yoga, and meditation classes, Satsang and lecture programs, kirtan and the famous Ganga Aarti at sunset. The ashram teaches yoga, Vedic heritage and spirituality and also provides teacher training courses.
Location: Near, Main Market Road, Ram Jhula, Swarg Ashram, Rishikesh
Timings: 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
3. Swami Dayananda Ashram
This tranquil ashram in Rishikesh was founded in 1960 by the eminent personality Swami Dayananda Saraswati, who is an internationally recognised teacher of Vedanta and the foremost scholar of Sanskrit. The ashram hosts a library that is a repository of knowledge with more than 5000 titles on various subjects like Vedanta, Sanskrit Grammar, Indian and western philosophies, religion and yoga. Regular residential courses are conducted with a primary focus on Bhagavad Gita along with ten principal Upanishads and Vedic chanting. Swami Dayananda Ashram is vast and has 150 rooms. However, such facilities are provided for course students only as the ashram doesn't run a guesthouse.
Location: Dayananda Nagar, Chandreshwar Nagar, Rishikesh
Timings: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
4. Swami Rama Sadhaka Grama Ashram
Sadhana Mandir was founded in 1966 by Swami Rama as an international retreat centre to practice meditation. Later, Swami Rama Sadhaka Grama was founded by Swami Veda Bharati, who was a disciple of Swami Rama. The Himalayan way of meditation is the focus of teaching at this ashram in Rishikesh which is 5000 years old. There are many activities here like meditation, self-transformation, silent retreats, the art of living and yoga psychology. Spiritual guidance is available for those aspirants seeking instruction in meditation.
Location: Ram Nagar, Rishikesh
Timings: Open 24 hours
5. Omkarananda Ganga Sadan Ashram
Omkarananda Ganda Sadan is home to Patanjala Yoga Kendra yoga centre which was established in 1993. Located in the Muni-ki-Reti area of Rishikesh, it holds a magnificent view next to the holy waters of Ganga. The kind of yoga that is taught here is Iyengar Yoga which is guided by world-renowned Shri Guruji, B.K.S. Iyengar. Guruji's method is based on the Indian tradition of Yoga which focuses on strength and stamina, flexibility and balance, concentration and meditation. This ashram at Rishikesh hold lectures on the Bhagavad Gita, and aarti is performed here daily.
Location: Swami Omkarananda Saraswati Rd, Muni Ki Reti, Rishikesh
6. Yoga Niketan Ashram
Yoga Niketan was established by Swami Yogeshwaranand Paramahansa (formally known as Vyas Devji) who was one of the renowned Yogis of the 20th century. It is located in the Muni-Ki-Reti area of Rishikesh, and the teachings are based on an eightfold path as per the Patanjali yoga shastra. The doors of peace are open to all without any discrimination of caste, creed, gender or nationality. However, children who are below 12 years old are not permitted to stay within this Rishikesh Ashram. The room rates start from 500 rupees per day, per person, for Indians and 900 rupees for foreigners. The minimum requirement to stay is 15 days for any course. It also has a commercially-run guesthouse that's available for the ones staying for a short period.
Location: Muni-Ki-Reti, Ramjhula, P.O. Shivanand Nagar, Near-Ganga Vatika Flats, Rishikesh
Timings: 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
7. Shree Mahesh Heritage Meditation School
The focus in Shree Mahesh Heritage Meditation School is more on meditation than yoga, and it lives up to its expectations providing 300 hours of yoga classes. It includes a meditation teacher training course, as well as meditation retreats and meditation for beginner's courses. The founder of this institution is Ram Gupta who has a degree in Nature Cure Science and a Master's Degree in Yoga and Meditation and 20 years of experience in India and abroad. The schoolmasters in teaching Vedic texts, yoga, Ayurveda, life healing, and spiritual development. The school also a unique non-residential Health Supportive Lifestyle Program that educates its students about proper diet, exercise and other habits.
Location: 153/4, Gayatri Resorts, Lane, Tapovan, Rishikesh
Timings: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM, Closed on Sundays
8. Phool Chatti Ashram
In the late 1800's, Sri Devi Dayal Ji Maharaj founded Phool Chatti Ashram in Rishikesh. Since 1977, Phool Chatti has been under the care and guidance of its present Swami Ji, Swami Dev Swarup Nanda Ji. The ashram is famous and unique for its seven-day yoga and meditation program. The teachings are different other institution as it mainly focuses on the yogic path and ashram life. Students experience meditation, breathing (pranayama), chanting, Mauna (silence), Pooja (worship), kirtan (sacred singing), and other essential aspects.
Location: Neelkanth Temple Road Paliyal Gaon, Rishikesh
Timings: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
9. Anand Prakash Ashram
Anand Prakash is the brainchild of Yogrishi Vishvketu, founded in 2007 in the hilly region of Tapovan. Serene surroundings and river Ganga flowing on the side makes it an ideal residential setting for spiritual enthusiasts. You can attend the morning and evening sessions of Akhanda Yoga without any extra cost. They have three main training programs, YTT 100, YTT 200 and YTT 300. During peak season, it remains jam-packed. Prior bookings are advised to avoid last minute disappointments.
You can drop in for the yoga session at a small cost of INR 300 per session (if you decide to skip the accommodation) and INR 500 for a session with Yogrishi Vishvketu. You’ll be getting 3 meals a day and a cosy library to stack up your knowledge on the age-old practice. Yogis staying at the ashram follow a silence period post 9 PM until breakfast. Ashram also offers a 12 hour (9 AM - 9 PM) wi-fi access period and laundry services at minimal costs. Cost of the room is INR 1200 per day for shared occupancy.
Location: Tapovan, shivananda nagar, Badrinath Rd, Rishikesh
Timings: 5:30 AM - 7:00 PM
10. Himalayan Yog Ashram
Another gem situated in Tapovan, north of Lakshman Jhula is Himalayan Yog Ashram. Founded in 2012 by Yogi Ram, this small Ashram is known for stunning surroundings and enriching yoga sessions. Like many ashrams, it follows a disciplined routine that yogis are asked to follow. The day begins at 5:30 AM with pranayama and is followed by a combination of Hatha Yoga and meditation sessions. A silence period from 9 PM onwards till 5:30 AM is observed in the ashram.
Check-in is allowed only on Monday and you are required to stay for a minimum of 6,13, 20 or 27 nights. Charges for the rooms include 3-time meals, daily practise sessions, bedsheets, duvets, heater/air conditioner and attached bathrooms with running hot water. You can also book extra sessions for Yoga therapy and Ayurvedic treatments. Charges differ for single and shared rooms depending on the duration slot of your stay.
Location: 256, Tapovan, Rishikesh
Timings: Monday - Saturday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Sunday: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
11. Osho Gangadham Ashram
Few kilometres away from Lakshman Jhula is another yoga-centric ashram, Osho Gangadham. Situated on the bank of Ganga, it is surrounded by nature on all four sides. You can choose from tons of options; dormitories, single rooms, shared rooms and with/without air conditioning. A pure vegetarian meal is served for the visitors and is included in the cost of the room.
Gangadham is famous for Osho’s meditation rituals. You can choose from dynamic, dance or kundalini meditation exercises and which start as early as 6:30 am. Regular evening satsangs are organised in the main hall which you can join free of cost. There are many camps and retreats organised every month for yoga enthusiasts. If you happen to visit the ashram during that time, make sure to pre-book your seat.
Location: Jaanaki Cottage, Lease No-52, Badrinath Road, Brahmpuri, Rishikesh
Timings: 6:30 AM - 9:00 PM
12. Rishikesh Yogpeeth Ashram
Rishikesh Yogpeeth was established in the year 2005. It aims to spread the awareness of holistic living using Yoga practices. It is a non-profit making organization. The teaching style is based on traditional knowledge with modern methods. They offer daily yoga and meditations sessions with well- experienced yoga instructors.
Location: Abhayaranya Yoga Ashram Neelkanth Temple Road Patna, Rishikesh
Timings: Open 24 hours
13. Alakh Yoga School
Alakh Yoga School offers one of the best Yoga Teacher Training Courses in India. They work on the people’s physical, emotional, spiritual and mental health. If you are looking for a yoga school, then this is it.
Location: Gali Number 3, Aam Bag, IDPL Colony, Rishikesh
Timings: 6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
14. Avatar Yoga School
It is also one of the best yoga schools in Rishikesh. It was founded 20 years ago. They follow the ancient and traditional way of teaching style which is suitable for all levels of yoga students. They offer 200, 300 and 500-Hour Yoga Training Courses. They also affix their students in research activities.
Location: Hotel Yoga Village House (Avatar Yoga School), Street- Ashtanga Marg Yoga Village- Jonk, Ram Jhula, Swarg Ashram, Rishikesh
Timings: Monday - Saturday: 6:00 AM - 7:00 PM, Sundays closed
15. Divine Yoga School
Divine Yoga School is a fabulous yoga school which helps their students to heal their body, mind and soul, both mentally and physically. They offer this training only to a limited number of students in single batch ie., 16 learners at a time. They offer 200-Hours Yoga Teacher Training Courses. So, hurry up and get enrolled.
Location: Swarg Ashram, Rishikesh
Timings: Monday to Saturday: 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM, Sunday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
16. Yoga Prakash School
They provide 100, 200 and 300-Hours Yoga Teacher Training Courses and certifies you so that you can spread awareness and teach other people too. They are affiliated with Yoga Alliance from the UK, which is the best yoga association. They teach the best Hatha and Ashtanga yoga in the Rishikesh. If you are looking for this, then pack your bags and get ready.
Location: Hotel Hari Om, Near Luxman Chowk, Laxman Jhula, Rishikesh
Timings: 6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Peace of mind is priceless wealth which even the richest cannot afford. These ashrams in Rishikesh heal the human soul making it stronger to accept challenges in their daily life. An opportunity as such should be not be missed as it helps in the purgation of the soul.