Shantikunj — Gayatri Teerth
Haridwar, Uttarakhand · temple
- Days OpenOpen daily
- Entry FeeFree Entry
Shantikunj — literally "the grove of peace" — is the vast spiritual and organisational headquarters of the All World Gayatri Pariwar, spread along the Haridwar–Rishikesh road about six kilometres north of Haridwar's railway station. Founded in 1971 by Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya and his wife Bhagwati Devi Sharma, the campus grew from a modest parcel of land into a self-contained township of ashram life, devotional practice, education and social service. It is centred on the worship of Gayatri, the Vedic mother-goddess personifying the Gayatri Mantra, and on the ideal of yagya (fire offering) as a discipline of self-refinement. Devotees and curious travellers alike come to walk its ordered gardens, sit in its prayer halls, and absorb an atmosphere that is quiet, purposeful and unmistakably satvik.
Where to Eat Nearby
- ✦Shantikunj bhojanalaya (on campus) – simple satvik meals, typically without onion or garlic, served to devotees and guests; timings are fixed, so confirm at the reception.
- ✦Bhupatwala-area pure-veg dhabas (Haridwar–Rishikesh road) – several no-frills vegetarian dhabas near Saptarishi serve thalis, parathas and chai; Haridwar is an entirely vegetarian town, but confirm current hours locally.
- ✦Pilgrim vegetarian eateries around Har Ki Pauri (a short drive back into town) – traditional pure-veg thali houses, chaat and mithai counters, all pure-vegetarian; choose a busy, freshly-cooked spot.
- ✦Ashram and temple canteens along the Rishikesh road – plain, hygienic vegetarian fare for pilgrims; quality varies, so pick one with steady footfall.
About
Shantikunj — literally "the grove of peace" — is the vast spiritual and organisational headquarters of the All World Gayatri Pariwar, spread along the Haridwar–Rishikesh road about six kilometres north of Haridwar's railway station.
- Founded in 1971 by Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya and his wife Bhagwati Devi Sharma, the campus grew from a modest parcel of land into a self-contained township of ashram life, devotional practice, education and social service.
- It is centred on the worship of Gayatri, the Vedic mother-goddess personifying the Gayatri Mantra, and on the ideal of yagya (fire offering) as a discipline of self-refinement.
- Devotees and curious travellers alike come to walk its ordered gardens, sit in its prayer halls, and absorb an atmosphere that is quiet, purposeful and unmistakably satvik.
- The heart of the campus is the Gayatri Mata temple, where the presiding image of the goddess is honoured with daily aarti and mantra chanting, and the adjoining yagnashala, where collective havan (fire rituals) are performed through the day.
- A akhand deepak (perpetually burning lamp), maintained continuously since the ashram's early years, is among the site's most revered features.
- The campus also houses a well-known "culture exhibition" — a walk-through gallery of tableaux and dioramas presenting Indian spiritual heritage, the life and mission of the founder, and the values of the Gayatri Pariwar — which families and school groups find especially engaging.
- Adjacent to Shantikunj, and closely linked to it, stands Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya, a residential university teaching yoga, Indian culture, psychology and allied subjects, together with the Brahmavarchas research centre.
- Together they make the site far more than a single temple: it is a living dharmic institution combining worship, learning and organised social work such as disaster relief and value education.
- For visitors of every faith, Shantikunj is welcoming and free to enter; simple ashram decorum applies — remove footwear near the shrines, dress modestly, keep quiet during rituals, and follow staff guidance on photography.
- For vegetarian travellers the setting is ideal: Haridwar is a wholly vegetarian, alcohol-free pilgrimage city, and the ashram itself runs a simple satvik bhojanalaya (dining hall) serving plain, sattvic meals without onion or garlic.
- Combined with a stop at nearby Saptarishi Ashram or a short drive on to Rishikesh, it makes a calm, reflective half-day.
Timings & Entry Fee
Verified: August 2026
Location & How to Reach
Address
Shantikunj, Haridwar–Rishikesh Road (NH-34), near Saptarishi Ashram, Bhupatwala, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, 249411
How to Reach: Shantikunj sits on the Haridwar–Rishikesh road (NH-34) in the Bhupatwala–Saptarishi belt, about 6 km north of Haridwar Junction railway station. An auto-rickshaw or shared vikram from the station or Har Ki Pauri costs roughly ₹100–200 (15–25 minutes); taxis are readily available. It is an easy stop for anyone travelling on to Rishikesh (about 20 km further). There is no metro in Haridwar.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Shantikunj in Haridwar?
Shantikunj is the sprawling spiritual headquarters of the All World Gayatri Pariwar, founded in 1971 by Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya and Bhagwati Devi Sharma. Located on the Haridwar–Rishikesh road, it combines a Gayatri Mata temple, a yagnashala for fire rituals, a walk-through culture exhibition, an ashram community and the adjoining Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya — a living dharmic institution of worship, learning and social service.
Is there an entry fee for Shantikunj?
No, entry to Shantikunj is free. As a working ashram and spiritual centre it is open to visitors of every faith at no charge; donations are voluntary. Certain facilities such as guest accommodation or organised programmes have their own arrangements — enquire at the reception.
What are the timings of Shantikunj and its temple?
The campus is generally open daily from around 5:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with Gayatri temple aarti and collective havan held in the morning and evening (exact times shift with the season). The culture exhibition keeps shorter daytime hours. Timings can change on festival days, so it is best to confirm locally or at the ashram reception.
How do I reach Shantikunj from Haridwar?
Shantikunj is about 6 km north of Haridwar Junction railway station, on the Haridwar–Rishikesh road (NH-34) in the Bhupatwala–Saptarishi area. An auto-rickshaw or shared vikram from the station or Har Ki Pauri costs roughly ₹100–200 and takes 15–25 minutes; taxis are also easy to find. It is a convenient stop for travellers continuing on to Rishikesh.
What can you see and do at Shantikunj?
You can visit the Gayatri Mata temple for aarti, observe havan at the yagnashala, see the akhand deepak (perpetually burning lamp), and walk through the culture exhibition of tableaux depicting Indian spiritual heritage and the ashram's mission. The gardens are calm for quiet reflection, and the adjoining Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya and Brahmavarchas research centre make the campus a centre of yoga and Indian-culture learning. Plan for about two hours.
Where can I eat vegetarian food near Shantikunj?
Haridwar is a wholly vegetarian, alcohol-free pilgrimage city, so you have plenty of options. Shantikunj runs its own satvik bhojanalaya serving simple meals, usually without onion or garlic, at fixed times. Along the Bhupatwala–Rishikesh road you will find pure-veg dhabas near Saptarishi, and a short drive back toward Har Ki Pauri brings thali houses, chaat and mithai counters — all vegetarian. Pick a busy, freshly-cooked spot for the best experience.
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