Hrsikesa implies the name of Lord Vishnu and is derived from the word ‘hrsika’ which means the Lord of the Sense. It is also said in another local lore that Raibhaiya Rishi did his Tapasya in this place and therefore, it is called Hrishikesh aka Rishikesh.
Rishikesh has been repeatedly called the Yoga Capital of the world. Every year, millions of people pour into this holy place to come closer to the attainment of Moksha. The place is strictly vegetarian: no non-vegetarian food or alcohol can be sold or bought in Tapovan.
For years, Rishikesh has been the home to sages and mystics from all corners of the world. Age-old Ayurveda and Vedic traditions followed here and have made this place an epitome of peace and healing. The aesthetic environment, healthy diet, rejuvenating meditation jogs the mind up and makes it an ideal destination for yogis and ascetics as well as commoners looking for a break from their daily routine and a dive into spiritual awakening, healing and peace.
Yoga ashrams can be found all over the city and along the bank of the river the ashrams are not only a pillar of their community but are also centres imparting vedic knowledge, lifestyle advice and spiritual guidance free from malice. If you are looking for a Yoga Ashrams in Rishikesh where you can begin your vedic journey or looking for a spiritual place to correct your lifestyle we have crafted just the list of Top 18 Yoga Ashrams in Rishikesh. The list below has been sorted by daily cost of living highest to lowest but please bear in mind most ashrams in India accept donations only, where one is requested to donate what they can or wish to.
The Himalayan Yog Ashram Rishikesh is a Yoga School Registered with Yoga Alliance founded by Yogi Ram in 2012.
Yogi Ram is a certified E-RYT 500 and YACEP educator. It is located at Tapovan, an arm’s length away from Laxman Jhula. With 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training (RYT-200) in English during different periods in the year, this ashram is a paradise to yogis from all over the world.
Himalayan Yog Ashram Rishikesh also provides various Ayurvedic treatments, Yoga Therapy Training and Ashram Stay Retreats, retreat participants can also undergo customized programs tailor-made for them on their requests. It is a true abode for self-realization and self-actualisation.
Cost per day: INR 5000+
An appropriate home for all yoga students and teacher trainees, Abhayaranya Yoga Ashram Rishikesh was founded in 2005 by a group of yoga enthusiasts of Rishikesh. Abhayaranya Yoga Ashram takes yoga training to an international standard and is famous not only in Rishikesh but around the world.
The modern lines along which their teaching is made, the illuminating knowledge of the instructors in this ashram and the wellness and retreat facilities provide a memorable experience to all yogis who visit. The vision of the ashram was always to enlighten people with the ancient wisdom of Vedic spirituality and promote sustainability based on the principles of yoga.
Ayurvedic Detox, Weight Loss, Spiritual Living, Intensive Yoga and Certified Yoga Teacher Training courses are available for learners to choose from.
Cost per day: INR 5000+
In the yoga capital of the world Rishikesh, there lies a spiritual haven called Parmarth Niketan Yoga Ashram at the banks of the most pious River the Ganges and in the lap of the mighty Himalayas.
Established in 1942 by Pujya Swami Shukdevanandaji Maharaj, this ashram is the largest in Rishikesh with over 1000 clean, pure and silent rooms amid lush gardens. It has flourished for the last 70 years and is the home to a 14 ft Shiva statue as well which adds to the beauty of this peaceful sanctuary.
At this Yoga ashram in Rishikesh morning begins with universal prayers and meditation classes followed by daily satsangs to kirtans and Ganga artis held at sunset on the Ganga river is the highlight of the evening (are a speciality to this ashram). Yoga and meditation lectures, Yoga Teacher Training Classes, intensive courses on yoga, meditation, Reiki, Ayurveda and acupuncture are all imparted at Parmarth Niketan for a small daily fee or donation.
Cost per day: INR 500-2000
The Sivananda Kutir Yoga Ashram Rishikesh is located in the tiny hamlet of Netala, eight kilometres north of Uttarkashi. It was founded in 1991 and is a part of the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres.
Following the legacy of its founder Saint Swami Sivananda, the pilgrims to this ashram are made to learn the principles of Yama and the four branches of Yoga.
Ac and non-ac accommodation are available with provisions for healthy vegetarian food.
Daily classes in yoga, breath awareness, meditation and relaxation are taken by experienced instructors. Courses on pranayama and meditation are also available here.
Cost per day: INR 2575+
Anand Prakash Ashram Rishikesh was founded in 2007 by the couple Chetana Panwar (a Canadian woman) and Yogirishi Vishvketu and therefore, is a perfect amalgamation of Eastern and Western cultures.
Yogirishi Vishvketu is a student of Hatha Yoga and is trained in Vedic healing arts. Anand Prakash Ashram embraces spirituality in the birthplace of yoga Rishikesh and provides Akhanda Yoga classes and certified Yoga teacher training. It has several residential training courses and a charitable trust which funds many projects in the local community.
Cost per day: INR 1500+
Vanprastha Ashram Rishikesh is located at Swarg Ashram in Rishikesh and was founded by Baba Kali Kamli Wala (the saint who had a black blanket). The rooms in this ashram are well equipped with all the modern facilities and visitors can expect a comfortable stay midst of Mother Nature.
Ganga Arti, kirtans and bhajans are included in the daily activities of the ashram.
Various programs are conducted here which include courses on Sanskrit language, Sanskrit Vyaran, Sanskrit Varnochchar, Ashtadhyayi and Mahabhasya. A gurukul was started here in the year 2013.
Admissions are selective and sometimes given only to specific deserving candidates.
Cost per day: INR 1500+
Established in 1880 at Muni-ki-Reti, Kailash Ashram Rishikesh is one of the 1st five large ashrams in Rishikesh. Dhanaj Giri, the first Abbot, established this. It is a monastery for Vedanta studies and ancient Indian scriptures. The 19th-century mystic, Swami Vivekananda visited and stayed in this ashram for some time.
Kailash Ashram Rishikesh has been known to facilitate the poor and the needy since its establishment in 1880. Today, the ashram is a celebrated home for the exegesis of historic Hindu scriptures and Vedantic study.
Cost per day: INR 1100+