Aurovalley Ashram
Rishikesh, Uttarakhand · temple
- Days OpenOpen daily
- Entry FeeFree Entry
Aurovalley Ashram is a tranquil garden retreat set on the banks of the Ganga at Rishidwar-Raiwala, on the plains edge where the great river has just left the Himalaya between Rishikesh and Haridwar. Founded in the spiritual lineage of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother, it follows the path of Integral Yoga — a philosophy that seeks the transformation of everyday life rather than withdrawal from it, holding that meditation, work, study and self-observation are all threads of a single sadhana (spiritual practice). Under the guidance of its long-serving spiritual head, Swami Brahmdev, the ashram has grown from a quiet plot of farmland into a green campus of flowering gardens, fruit orchards, lawns and simple meditation halls, deliberately kept modest and unhurried.
Where to Eat Nearby
- ✦Aurovalley Ashram dining (for guests) - a simple, wholly vegetarian sattvic kitchen serving residents and day guests; meals are part of the ashram routine rather than a public restaurant, so arrange in advance.
- ✦Raiwala bazaar dhabas - a handful of modest pure-vegetarian roadside eateries near Raiwala serve chai, parathas and thalis; choices are basic, so confirm freshly cooked veg options on the spot.
- ✦Rishikesh vegetarian cafes (about 20 km) - the wider Rishikesh area, being a holy vegetarian and alcohol-free town, offers many pure-veg and satvik cafes for a fuller meal if you continue upstream.
- ✦Haridwar vegetarian eateries (about 15-20 km) - Haridwar's temple-town bazaars have numerous trusted pure-vegetarian thali houses and sweet shops for pilgrims.
About
Aurovalley Ashram is a tranquil garden retreat set on the banks of the Ganga at Rishidwar-Raiwala, on the plains edge where the great river has just left the Himalaya between Rishikesh and Haridwar.
- Founded in the spiritual lineage of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother, it follows the path of Integral Yoga — a philosophy that seeks the transformation of everyday life rather than withdrawal from it, holding that meditation, work, study and self-observation are all threads of a single sadhana (spiritual practice).
- Under the guidance of its long-serving spiritual head, Swami Brahmdev, the ashram has grown from a quiet plot of farmland into a green campus of flowering gardens, fruit orchards, lawns and simple meditation halls, deliberately kept modest and unhurried.
- The daily rhythm is gentle and open to sincere visitors of any background.
- Mornings and evenings centre on silent meditation and asana (yoga postures), with satsang — an informal discourse and question-and-answer session with Swami Brahmdev — and kirtan (devotional chanting) forming the heart of community life.
- Much of the day passes in what the Integral Yoga tradition calls karma yoga: unglamorous, wholehearted service such as gardening, kitchen work and tending the grounds, understood as meditation in action.
- There is no spectacle here and little ritual apparatus; the atmosphere is that of a working spiritual community rather than a temple of grand architecture, and the birdsong, river and orchard shade do much of the teaching.
- Because it sits within the holy, strictly vegetarian and alcohol-free belt around Rishikesh and Haridwar, Aurovalley is wholly vegetarian, and its residents observe a simple, sattvic diet.
- Day guests are welcome to join meditation, satsang and yoga, while short- and long-term students may stay to study Integral Yoga in depth; the ashram runs on donation and seva rather than commercial packages.
- Visitors should arrive in a spirit of quiet and respect — dress modestly, keep phones silent, remove shoes before entering the meditation spaces, and observe the periods of silence.
- For travellers weary of the noise and crowds of the pilgrim towns, the ashram offers a restorative contrast: an image of yoga lived as a slow, green, everyday discipline on the edge of the Rajaji forest.
- Confirm visiting arrangements with the ashram in advance, as day-guest and residential access are managed directly.
Timings & Entry Fee
Verified: August 2026
Location & How to Reach
Address
Rishidwar-Raiwala, on the banks of the Ganga near Rajaji National Park, District Dehradun, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, 249205
How to Reach: Rishidwar-Raiwala, District Dehradun, roughly midway between Rishikesh and Haridwar (about 15-20 km from each). Raiwala railway station is the nearest railhead, a short auto-rickshaw ride away; Haridwar Junction is the main large station. From Rishikesh or Haridwar, a taxi or auto takes about 30-40 minutes via NH-7/Haridwar-Rishikesh road, turning off near Raiwala toward the Ganga and Rajaji edge. Dehradun's Jolly Grant Airport is about 15 km away. Confirm the exact approach lane with the ashram, as it lies off the main road among orchards.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Aurovalley Ashram and which tradition does it follow?
Aurovalley Ashram is a garden retreat near Raiwala, on the Ganga between Rishikesh and Haridwar, in the spiritual lineage of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother. It follows Integral Yoga, a path that treats meditation, yoga, study and everyday service (karma yoga) as parts of one practice. Its spiritual head is Swami Brahmdev, and daily life centres on silent meditation, asana, satsang and kirtan.
Is there an entry fee for Aurovalley Ashram?
There is no ticketed entry fee; the ashram runs on donation (dakshina) and seva rather than commercial charges. Day guests may join the meditation and yoga programme, and short- or long-term students can stay to study Integral Yoga. As access and any stay contributions are arranged directly, it is best to contact the ashram in advance.
How do I reach Aurovalley Ashram from Rishikesh or Haridwar?
The ashram is at Rishidwar-Raiwala, roughly midway between Rishikesh and Haridwar (about 15-20 km from each). A taxi or auto from either town takes around 30-40 minutes via the Haridwar-Rishikesh road, turning off near Raiwala toward the Ganga. Raiwala is the nearest railway station, Haridwar Junction the main one, and Dehradun's Jolly Grant Airport is about 15 km away. The lane lies off the main road among orchards, so confirm the final approach with the ashram.
Can visitors stay at the ashram, and what should they expect?
Yes. Sincere visitors are welcome as day guests to join meditation, asana and satsang, while others stay short- or long-term as students of Integral Yoga. Expect a simple, disciplined community life rather than a hotel: shared sattvic vegetarian meals, periods of silence, and voluntary service such as gardening or kitchen work. Dress modestly, keep phones silent, remove shoes before the meditation halls, and arrange your visit ahead of time.
Is Aurovalley Ashram vegetarian?
Yes, entirely. It lies within the holy vegetarian and alcohol-free belt around Rishikesh and Haridwar, and its kitchen serves a simple sattvic vegetarian diet to residents and guests. No meat, fish or alcohol features anywhere in ashram life.
What is the best time to visit Aurovalley Ashram?
October to March offers the most comfortable weather on the plains, and early mornings are ideal for meditation and the quiet river-and-garden atmosphere. Summers get hot, and the monsoon (July-September) is green but humid. Whenever you go, arrive in a calm, respectful spirit, as this is a working spiritual community rather than a sightseeing stop.
Categories