Rishikesh based some of the best yoga centers, ashrams, retreat centers and yoga schools in India registered with Yoga Alliance.
Uttarakhand has restored Chaurasi Kutia or the Beatles Ashram in Rajaji National Park and re-opened it for the public. The ashram was famous as the Beatles Band practiced Transcendental Meditation here under the spiritual instructor Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. The Beatles first met Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in the UK and since they were attracted to his teachings he invited them to his ashram in Rishikesh for advance learning in Transcendental Meditation. This period became a most productive time for them and they were able to write 40 songs here. Their tour of Rishikesh gave them new vision and they accepted Maharishi Mahesh Yogi as their spiritual Guru. After their visit yoga and meditation become new trends and Rishikesh become hub for the yoga and meditation and the Yoga Capital for all international yoga visitors.
This is the largest ashram in Rishikesh and lies on the banks of the holy Ganges in the serene Himalayas. The abundant gardens and the clean atmosphere attract many visitors. Whether you come to this yoga ashram for self-healing or for yoga retreats you will go back energised. The daily activities at Parmarth Niketan include morning universal prayers, daily yoga and meditation classes, daily satsang and lecture programs, kirtan, the world-renowned Ganga Aarti at sunset, as well as Nature Cure and Ayurveda treatment. Additionally, there are frequent camps and yoga ashram work exchange programmes, intensive courses on yoga, meditation, pranayama, stress management, acupressure, Reiki and other ancient Indian sciences.
The ashram is named after Swami Yogeshwaranand Paramhansa, one of the greatest Yogis of the 20th century. He spent his entire lifetime reviving the ancient science of Yoga and imparting valuable knowledge that he had gathered from many great ascetics and his own spiritual experiences. Yoga Niketan is one of the oldest yoga ashrams in Rishikesh teaching traditional Hatha and Raj yoga. The ashram has been built with the purpose of spreading knowledge of yoga and spirituality and meditation is encouraged. Discourse on Hindu philosophy is conducted by experienced teachers. On Sundays many ashram yoga volunteers clean the Yoga and Meditation Hall as part of their spiritual learning.
Also called the International Vishwaguru Meditation and Yoga Institute, this place in Swarg Ashram has a large inner courtyard, a spacious meditation and yoga hall offering hatha yoga, pranayama, meditation and philosophy classes. Ved Niketan is a popular ashram where you can stay and learn all about simple living and getting in touch with your inner spirituality.
Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas at Rishikesh on the banks of the holy river Ganga at the foot-hills of the Himalayas is one of the main branches of this international Institution. The ashram has a beautiful Yoga Centre, the prestigious Patanjala Yoga Kendra, has been established in Omkarananda Ganga Sadan, where yoga is taught according to the methods of the world-famous Yogacharya B.K.S. Iyengar by the resident instructor Usha Devi. The aim of the ashram is the development of Bhakti through selfless service and realising God in daily life. A number of ashram inmates are yoga ashram work exchange learners who help to run the school as a selfless service. The ashrams are like temples where they have meditation classes, bhajan singing and yagnas and they print and distribute spiritual literature.
Swami Rama’s Ashram called Sadhana Mandir is a quiet and peaceful ashram located just next to the Holy River Ganges. This is an ideal place for a quiet ashram yoga retreat where you can focus on your own meditation or yoga practice as silence is guaranteed here. This yoga ashram is for self-healing as it has beautiful gardens where you can contemplate in the midst of flowers and a frog pond. The ashram offers a number of self-healing programmes, yoga ashram meditation retreats for personal renewal. At the yoga ashram participants engage in yoga classes, breathing and relaxation practices as well as guided meditation practice, and individualized instruction in yoga science and they encourage self-study.
