Piyush Tripathi
Parmarth Niketan Ashram | Parmarth Niketan means an abode dedicated to the welfare of all.
Parmarth Niketan is the largest ashram in Rishikesh, located in Uttarakhand. Lying on the holy banks of the sacred Ganga River in the shadow of the Himalayas, the ashram is full of powerful spiritual forces and unmatched beauty.
Millions of people travel to this holy place Rishikesh because of the fast-flowing Ganga, gorgeous mountains, and the lush green forest’s breathtaking beauty, which is regarded as a haven for Yogis, Sages, Rishis, in search of enlightenment of the mind, body, and soul.
A visit to Rishikesh is incomplete without seeing the Parmarth Niketan.
The ashram is dedicated to everyone’s welfare, as suggested by its name. Through a wide range of charitable initiatives in the areas of healthcare, residential education, and general humanitarianism as well as spiritual initiatives to nourish the mind, body, and spirit.
In 1942, Pujya Swami Shukdevanandji Maharaj established the ashram. Since 1986, Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji Maharaj has served as the organization’s president and spiritual leader.
Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati has been residing and teaching at the Parmarth Niketan Ashram for the past 25 years.
Become a Volunteer at Parmarth
Parmarth Niketan welcomes passionate and dynamic volunteers throughout the year. One should read and understand all the guidelines for volunteers include work hours and quality of work. The steps for applying to volunteer at Parmarth are listed below.
- The application requires an updated resume/CV (JPG, PDF, or DOC format, <500 KB) along with a cover letter.
- Kindly mention your expectations in regards to your volunteer interest at Parmarth.
- Click here to apply: Parmarth Volunteering
- If selected as a volunteer, you need to follow the ashram protocols mentioned on the website.
- In next step, you need to fill your personal information such as name, age, permanent & mailing address, contact details etc.
- You need to choose your duration of volunteer from less than 1 month to more than 6 months.
- Submit your application after sharing your emergency contact information and references.
Major Attraction for Visitors in Parmarth Niketan
Located in front of Parmarth Niketan on the banks of river Ganga, the marvelous sight is the 14-feet statue of Lord Shiva sitting in a meditating position. In 2013, the statue was swept away in the flash floods, so this new statue was erected there.
The Aarti, which is performed in the ashram at sunset, is well-known across the world, which attracts visitors not only from India but also from outside.
In Parmarth Niketan, there is no discrimination based on race, gender, nationality, religion, caste, or creed. It is accessible to all.
Daily Prayers and Activities
| Time | Activity | Hall |
| 5.00 – 6.00 AM | Universal Prayers and Lecture | Satsang Hall |
| 6:30 – 7:30 AM | General Yogasana & Meditation | Yoga Hall |
| 9:00 – 10:30 AM | Gita Paath & Pravachan | Satsang Hall |
| 3:00 – 4:00 PM | Ramayaan Paath & Pravachan | Satsang Hall |
| 4:00 – 5:00 PM | General Yogasana | Yoga Hall |
| Around Sunset | Ganga Havan & Aarti | Main Ghat |
| Immediately after Aarti | Darshan & Satsang | Satsang Room |
Everyone can participate in daily prayers and activities here at the ashram. Also, please contact its office in case of any changes in the schedule.
Annual Events
The ashram celebrates Guru Purnima and the Nirvana Mahotsav of His Holiness, the late Shri Swami Shukdevanandji Maharaj, with great joy and religious zeal from the 15th of Asadhsukla to the 5th of Shravana (July).
Several hundred devotees chant the Ramayana Paath during the course of these five days while being accompanied by musical tunes.
Every year, Sadhana week is held from the ninth of Kartika Shukla until the full moon day of Kartika (October). Throughout this unique event, a number of qualified specialists offer yoga, pranayama, and meditation sessions.
Parmarth Niketan’s Divine Initiatives
1. Parmarth Gurukul: With the help of this program, nearly 200 young, orphaned, disadvantaged boys receive a primary academic education and intense instructions in ancient Sanskrit texts.
In addition to receiving a complete academic education, they are also training to serve as cultural ambassadors, spreading the profound values and culture of honesty, integrity, purity, devotion, dedication, and selflessness wherever they go.
2. Healthcare: Daily free healthcare is offered by the Swami Sukhdevanand Charitable Hospital, a great initiative by Parmarth Niketan located inside the ashram campus.
The free medical camps organized by Parmarth Niketan cover a wide range of services such as camps related to eye surgery, cardiology, urology, Ayurveda, homoeopathy, pediatrics, prosthetic limbs, gynecology etc.
Additionally, Parmarth conducts weekly camps that travel into Himalayan villages in collaboration with the Divine Shakti Foundation, providing care to the doorstep of the underprivileged who frequently go without sufficient follow-up care.
3. Clean, Green, and Serene Programme: The Ashram is devoted to promoting environmental sustainability, raising public awareness of it, and re-establishing Mother Earth’s natural balance.
Due to shortage of clean drinking water in Indian cities, Parmarth has inaugurated RO drinking water services at various tourist spots and installed water ATMs at popular pilgrimage sites keeping in mind a plastic free and zero waste criteria.
4. Education: As an initiative, Parmarth Niketan operates a free elementary school called Prakash Bharti in order to provide free education for children, in cooperation with the Divine Shakti Foundation.
It is very well said by Nelson Mandela that ‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.’
5. Bhandaras: Everyday, the Ashram hosts large Bhandaras for hundreds of people, occasionally either in the main hall and on the Ganga ghat, where the Ashram feeds an unimaginable number of people.
While celebrating auspicious ceremonies by people, they choose to feed the needy and follow that with a Bhandara as a special feature at the ashram.
6. Yoga: Parmarth Niketan offers a wide range of Yoga programs for everyone. Each course is spiritually oriented and has been designed by qualified teachers who are rich in experience.
The ancient yogic discipline taught by sages is deep and magnificently holistic. Yoga at Parmarth Niketan brings time-tested yoga practices. You know, Yoga can only be mastered by dedication, perseverance, and honest, continuous practice on a regular basis. Yoga made students stronger, healthier, and confident in just 2-5 weeks at the ashram.
Parmarth Niketan offers general yoga classes every day except Sundays. You need to contact its reception office for more information.
Rishikesh is known as Yoga Capital of the world.
Every year, the International Yoga Festival (IYF) is held from March 8–14 and Parmarth Niketan hosts the festival with full of enthusiasm. This is a fantastic opportunity to participate and practice a range of holistic disciplines with teachers and aspirants from around the globe.
Register for IYF 2023 today and celebrate the Joy of Yoga at the International Yoga Festival: Click here
Yoga is an ancient science which leads to health in the body, peace in the mind, joy in the heart, and liberation of the soul.
The word Yoga is derived from the root Yuj (in Sanskrit) which means to unite. Yoga literally translates to “union,” and this union refers to the union of the breath with the body, the mind with the muscles, and most significantly, the union of the self with the divine. You are not required to recite specific mantras or hold a certain belief in a particular God for yoga.
The renowned annual International Yoga Festival unites yogis of all cultures, colours, and creeds into a single worldwide yogic family, elevating awareness, and healing the planet, one individual at a time.
Every year, the International Yoga Festival grows, welcoming more and more participants from more and more nations.
You can embrace every major yoga style throughout the 7-day celebration and learn from awakened spiritual leaders, master yoga teachers, and wellness experts from all over the world. This programme at Parmarth Niketan Ashram is a must-attend if you want to awaken to your best self and ignite your inner light.
Accommodation in Parmarth Niketan Ashram
Parmarth has more than a thousand rooms providing a sacred atmosphere and is one of the biggest Ashrams in Rishikesh. It offers thousands of people from around the globe a fresh, pure, and religious setting. You will be provided a clean room, three meals each day, and a morning yoga class at just 500 rupees per day. A very popular sight Ram Jhula is easily accessible, making this Ashram a perfect place to stay.
To make a reservation: Click here
Canteen in Parmarth Niketan Ashram
Inside the Ashram, there is a small canteen offering a variety of vegetarian dishes. The timings of the canteen are 6:30 AM to 10:30 PM. A number of breakfast options, available between 8:00 AM to 10:30 AM, are available.
With a token system, you may order any Tandoori items or snacks, cold and hot beverages, regular and special Thalis, or you pay for a buffet regular at Rs.170 only. For your information, the canteen at Parmarth is 100% vegetarian.
Optimum Time to Visit Ashram
A visit to Parmarth Niketan can be done throughout the year. Even in summer’s high heat, Rishikesh is bountiful. Although, people enjoy more if they visit between September and March or April due to the weather in Rishikesh.
Kindly avoid travelling in the rainy season because of the difficulty in exploring the places and traffic in the city if you plan to add other nearby places too such as Ram Jhula, Laxman Jhula, Triveni Ghat, and Vashisht Caves.
How to Reach Ashram
By Air
The closest airport to Rishikesh, located about 30 km away, is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun. Air India and Jet Airways run regular flights from major airports in India.
For flight schedules: Click here
By Road
Buses and taxis are available from Delhi, Dehradun, Haridwar and nearby major cities to Rishikesh. One can reach Haridwar and then towards Ram Jhula in Rishikesh.
From there, you can cross the river Ganga by foot on Ram Jhula (bridge) or by using a boat service. When crossing Ganga, turn right and walk until you see Parmarth Niketan, very close to the bridge. You know you can park your car at Muni-Ki-Reti parking at Ram Jhula.
By Train
The closest rail station is in Haridwar, which is about 25 km from Rishikesh. Major Indian cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Lucknow, and Varanasi are connected to Haridwar. The Shatabdi Express, Jan Shatabdi, and Mussoorie Express are a few of the well-known trains running on these routes.
For train schedules: Click here
Summary & Conclusion
I hope you know about Parmarth Niketan, including its divine initiatives and annual events. Parmarth Niketan is among our best-selected Ashrams in India list.
Also, I recommend you check our exclusive blog on Ashrams in Rishikesh.
TravelEscape wishes you a safe journey! As you stay in the Parmarth Niketan, you get rejuvenated. Rishikesh is not just a spiritual journey, but it has a lot to offer in the sense of natural beauty and the Ganges.
Register yourself for International Yoga Festival in 2023 and discover a new you. Get ready to take you on the most impressive and peaceful trip to Rishikesh and share your experience with us.
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Ashram’s Guidelines
- The Ashram welcomes guests who wish to concentrate on their Sadhana, meditation, service, and Satsang while there.
- Visitors who stay at the ashram should practice self-control, self-etiquette, and non-violence.
- The Ganga Aarti is expected to be attended by all pilgrims.
- Any attire that covers the shoulders, calves and midriff is appropriate for both men and women.
- Young students are instructed to dress in white, which strikes a balance between the seven colours and represents peace and purity. Please refrain from dressing too tightly.
- A person must notify the ashram office and submit the keys if they plan to leave the ashram for two to three days.
- Smoking, drinking alcohol, playing cards, and having non-vegetarian foods are strictly prohibited here.
- Pets are not allowed in the Ashram.
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