Top 10 Rishikesh Ashrams for Yoga and Meditation

Let’s kickstart your yoga and meditation journey with this ashram, nestling near the Ganga river. You can say that this is an ideal centre for religious yoga and meditation. The beauty and composure of the ashram will mesmerise you the moment you step in. And while being mesmerised, you will also notice how clean and well-maintained this ashram is. Coming to what more the ashram offers, a wide variety of courses on yoga and meditations as well spiritual and cultural conferences. Recently, the ashram has also taken the noble initiative to publish books, magazines and pamphlets to spread awareness. With so much going on, don’t be surprised if many visitors consider this ashram to be the best yoga ashram in Rishikesh.

Residing on the foothills of the Himalayas, Parmarth Niketan has more of a spiritual approach towards yoga and meditations. Its aim is to help pilgrims find spiritual awakening and fulfil their spiritual goals. And to reach the goals, the ashram takes its visitors through yoga, meditation, Ayurveda, spiritual as well as cultural programs, universal prayer, kirtan, Satsang and Ganga arti. The approach Parmarth Niketan takes and the way it operates have certainly made it one of the best yoga retreats in Rishikesh for pilgrims and for those on a spiritual journey.

Another ashram located near the river Ganga, enveloped by nature, Osho Gangadham Ashram is the next destination on this list. The name probably gave it away, the major attractions of this ashram are the meditation rituals of Osho. Dynamic, dance and Kundalini meditations are also your options here. If you want to have the best experience, we will suggest you opt for a stay here. Different types of rooms like single rooms, shared rooms and dormitories are there to choose from. And you will be served pure vegetarian meals. With such wonderful meditation exercises and good accommodation, this ashram has become one of the best ashrams if not the best ashram in Rishikesh for stay.

The world-renowned Sanskrit scholar and Vedanta teacher, Swami Dayananda Saraswati built this ashram in 1960. Since then, it has made its way to being one of the finest yoga retreats in Rishikesh. An array of courses are organised here regularly. While you enrol in such courses, you will see that Bhagavad Gita, Vedic chants and Upanishads’ 10 principles are the primary focus. There is another great perk of learning yoga at this ashram. And that is the access to a huge library. Also, if you have decided to join the classes here, you can opt to stay in the ashram. There are 150 rooms and the hospitality (although only for course students) is great too!

The next ashram on our list takes us to the hilly region of Tapovan. Here, you will get to learn the different arts of yoga and meditation amid a serene and beautiful ambience, while the river Ganga rushes through nearby! You can join the morning yoga session or the one in the evening. There are three training programs too! And here are some other facilities and services you can expect during your stay here. Three meals a day, wifi access and a library to keep you engaged. There is a chance that you won’t want to leave the ashram soon. But don’t worry, it is one of the best ashrams in Rishikesh for long stay. So, you will have a pleasant experience.

This ashram in Rishikesh is almost 100 years old but it has maintained its yogic expertise and its popularity even today. So, we had to mention this one! Apart from being one of the oldest ashrams, it is quite unique too! This ashram keeps its focus on ashram life and yogic path. While you stay here, you will gain knowledge on both as you participate in breathing, meditation, chanting, pooja, Mauna and kirtan. The seven-day long meditation and yoga program here is a must!

There is a form of yoga named Iyengar. B.K.S. Iyengar, a well-known Guruji, created this yoga form. It maintains the focus on strength-stamina, concentration-meditation and flexibility-balance, as done in Indian traditional Yoga. When you are here, you will learn about this incredible yoga form and can also participate in the daily aarti. And while doing all these, you will always be accompanied by serene surroundings and marvellous views!

Like many other ashrams on this list, Sadhana Mandir resides on the bank of river Ganga. The thought or aim that led to the founding of this yoga retreat is quite admirable. The aim was to form a global retreat community for yogis. Safe to say, it reached its goal and it continues to serve the same purpose even today. Coming to the teachings here, the focus remains on the Himalayan way of meditation. Along with meditation, silent retreats, self-transformation, the art of living and yoga psychology are also organised here.

This yoga school lives up to its name and offers a wonderfully rejuvenating meditation experience to every visitor. And more importantly, it has something for different types of visitors. For beginners, this ashram has special classes and for those already familiar or learned, the ashram has multiple meditation retreats. There are also training courses for aspiring yoga teachers. Here is something special! A Health Supportive Lifestyle Program (non-residential) that teaches about proper exercises, accurate diets and good habits.

Remember we visited an ashram in the Tapovan earlier? The final destination of this list is in the same location! And this one is famous for the remarkable yoga sessions and the amazing views it offers. Before you plan a stay here, let’s go through a few things to remember. First of all, remember, the ashram has a very strict discipline. Waking up at 5 am, participating in specific meditation and yoga sessions throughout the day and maintaining silence from 9 pm to 5.30 am, all are mandatory. And the second thing is the number of days you have to spend here. 6, 13, 20 or 27, these are the minimum days of stay required here!

If you haven’t planned a yoga trip to Rishikesh yet, this is your sign to do so! Even if not a complete yoga expedition, keep a few days on your Rishikesh trip, especially for yoga and meditation sessions. Because as much entertainment and thrill you will have while indulging in the adventure sports in Rishikesh, the same amount of joy and peace you will gain while meditating and practising yoga!