Parmarth Niketan Ashram Rishikesh

Parmarth Niketan is the largest ashram in Rishikesh, India, and is located directly on the sacred banks of the Ganges at the foot of the Himalayas. Founded in 1942 by Pujya Swami Shukdevanandji Maharaj, the complex is now a world-renowned spiritual oasis for yoga, meditation, and Hindu traditions. Translated, the name means “A sanctuary dedicated to the well-being of all”—the ashram is open to everyone, regardless of nationality, religion, or gender.

The On-Site Experience

• The world-famous Ganga Aarti: Every evening at sunset (around 5:00 p.m. in winter, around 7:00 p.m. in summer), the ashram holds a solemn prayer ceremony on its own riverbank (ghat). It is one of the most famous rituals in Rishikesh, characterized by spiritual chants, lights, and music. • Daily Practice: Daily classes in yoga, meditation, pranayama (breathing techniques), and satsangs (spiritual talks) are offered to visitors and pilgrims. • Facilities: With over 1,000 rooms, the complex combines traditional simplicity with modern amenities. The grounds feature lush gardens, Ayurvedic treatment centers, and an on-site cafeteria serving strictly vegetarian meals.

Important Rules of Conduct for Your Stay

The ashram is not an ordinary hotel, but a sacred site. Guests are expected to adhere to a strict code of conduct: • No Smoking or Alcohol: Meat, eggs, alcohol, and tobacco are strictly prohibited throughout the entire premises. Onions and garlic are also excluded from the diet. • Dress code: Shoulders, the décolletage, the abdomen, and the calves must always be covered. Tight-fitting clothing should be avoided, and yoga students traditionally wear white. • Quiet hours: A strict nighttime quiet period is in effect between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

Accommodations & Reservations

Those wishing to stay overnight at the ashram can submit requests through Parmarth Niketan’s official reservation portal or via its in-house app. Rooms are assigned upon arrival based on availability. A stay here can also be perfectly combined with a walk across the Janki Setu pedestrian bridge or a trip to the nearby historic Beatles Ashram.

Evening Satsang with Pujya Sadhvi Bhagawatiji

Each evening from the Sacred Garden at Parmarth Niketan, Pujya Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswatiji leads a LIVE Divine Satsang, answering questions from our global family across India and around the world that bridge the gap between science and spirituality and offer access to the keys of true happiness and purpose in our daily lives. Her inspiring insights take us deeper on our spiritual path, and have helped so many across the globe to heal and transform their lives. Satsang means “in the presence of Truth,” and Sadhviji’s unique blend of Western knowledge and Eastern wisdom speak the truth of both traditions, enabling us to discover the Truth of who we are, and the true purpose of life and living.

Divine Ganga Aarti & Yagna

The sunset Ganga Aarti at Parmarth Niketan draws between hundreds and thousands of visitors each day from all cultures, all languages, all religions and all walks of life. Regardless of one’s religion or ability to understand Hindi or Sanskrit, the power of the aarti is universal. Ganga Aarti transcends the borders and boundaries of language and culture, diving straight into one’s heart, carrying one to Heaven.

Ganga Aarti begins every day at sunset (times vary depending on season, please check with reception for daily timings) at Parmarth’s Ganga Ghat. Yagna begins at the ghat a half hour before Aarti.

Ganga is not only a river. She is truly a Divine Mother. She rushes forth from the Himalayas as the giver of life, carrying purity, bliss and liberation in Her waters. Ganga is not only water. She is nectar – the nectar of life, the nectar of liberation. She is a source of inspiration to all who lay eyes on her ceaseless, boundless, rushing current. She irrigates not only our farms, but also our hearts, minds and souls. She is the Mother Goddess – giving freely to all with no discrimination, hesitation or expectation. Her waters purify all who bathe in them, all who drink from them. In fact, She is the remover of contamination.

Each evening as the sun’s last rays reflect off the boundless waters of Mother Ganga, we gather for Ganga Aarti. This divine light ceremony is filled with song, prayer, ritual and a palpable sense of the divine. Aarti is the beautiful ceremony in which dias (oil lamps) are offered to God. Aarti can be done to a deity in the temple, it can be done on the banks of the Ganges to Mother Ganga, or it can be done to a saint. It is performed to God, in any manifestation, in any form, and by any name.

The essence of the aarti ceremony is that all day long God offers us light

History of the Ashram

Rishikesh is a land known as the “home of the rishis.” Its alternate spelling of Hrishikesh refers to Lord Vishnu, as Lord of the Senses – it is, therefore, a land in which to conquer one’s senses, to conquer the call of desire, to become master of oneself.

It is to this place which in the early 1940s, a revered saint from Shahjahanpur in Uttar Pradesh named Pujya Swami Shukdevanandji began coming, to meditate on the banks of Ganga. As he did so, he slowly began to construct a small space for himself and Pujya Swami Bhajananandji to stay. Slowly, as more and more devotees came to listen to the wisdom of these masters, more rooms needed to be built, along with a satsang hall and bhojanalaya (dining hall). Swami Shukdevanandji named these simple, small huts, basic hall and bhojanalaya, “Parmarth Niketan”, an abode dedicated to the welfare of all. He was a saint dedicated not only to his own spiritual practice, not only to his own enlightenment, but to bringing light to others. He was dedicated to doing whatever he could to help the downtrodden – whether physically downtrodden or spiritually downtrodden.

Parmarth Niketan has now blossomed over the nearly 70 years of its existence into the largest ashram in Rishikesh and one of the largest spiritual institutions in India – a world renowned sanctuary of peace, joy, inspiration and spiritual communion for people of all walks of life, from every corner of the Earth. Today, twelve months a year, Parmarth Niketan is full of seekers, pilgrims, devotees and travelers looking to experience the gift, the secret, the Divine Touch that is present in this spiritual center, on the holy banks of the Ganga, in the lap of the Himalayas, in an area called Swargashram, or literally “Heavenly Abode.”

Annual Events

There are several special events occurring on daily, weekly, monthly or annual bases.

From the 15th of Asadhsukla to the 5th of Shravana (in July), the ashram observes Guru Purnima and Nirvana Mahotsava of His Holiness, the late Shri Swami Shukdevanandji Maharaj with much gaiety and religious fervor. During these five days, uninterrupted Ramayana Patha is sung by several hundred devotees, accompanied by musical melodies. Guru Puja and a tribute ceremony take place on the final day, followed by a community lunch. Nirvana Mahotsava is also celebrated, with traditional festivities, for:

His Holiness, the late Swami Dharmanandji Maharaj on February 25th His Holiness, the late Swami Sadanandji Maharaj on May 15th His Holiness, the late Swami Bhajananandaji Maharaj on the 13th of Kartika Shukla Sadhana Week: This is organized every year from the 9th of Kartika Sukla to the full moon day of Kartika (in October). During this special session, yoga, pranayama and meditation are taught by several qualified experts, under the patronage of M.M. H.H. Swami Asanganand Saraswatiji and H.H. Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji (Muniji). Volunteer

Thank you for your interest in joining our initiatives to preserve India’s natural heritage and resurrect the state of Uttrakhand. Parmarth Niketan’s mission spans from restoring the beautiful Ganga River, holding medical camps, protecting the girl child, promoting education, to enforcing sanitation and hygiene habits.

These large-scaled and detailed projects are realized through the collective effort of our global family, comprising of professionals, engineers, scientists, activists, spiritual leaders, environmental specialists and sevaks (volunteers). Though the eclectic expertise from such able minds and hands are deeply valued to take our vision forward, in order to maintain productivity and progress, we strive to ensure that the skill of our incoming family members (volunteers) is well channelized and that their stay here is a fulfilling one.

We are happy to note you have considered joining our seva (volunteer) program. As you move forward, we request you to please take a few moments to review and reflect upon our initiatives as well as your passion and skills, in depth. Thereafter, complete our Volunteer Application. We will assess a good fit between your skill set and the current opportunities available and revert to you soon.

We look forward to welcoming passionate and dynamic volunteers, like you to our team. Please do not hesitate to contact us and feel free to share our initiatives with family and friends.