Madhuban Ashram (ISKCON Temple)
Rishikesh, Uttarakhand · temple
- Days OpenOpen daily
- Entry FeeFree Entry
Madhuban Ashram sits at Kailash Gate in Muni Ki Reti, on the road that climbs north from Rishikesh town towards Tapovan and Lakshman Jhula, only a short walk from the Ganga. It is a Radha-Krishna temple and residential ashram in the Gaudiya Vaishnava (Hare Krishna) devotional tradition, and most visitors — and most map services — find it listed as the "ISKCON temple, Rishikesh." In practice, though, it operates outside the international society: the property runs under the ISKCON New Vrindavan East Trust, and the formal ISKCON Rishikesh centre states publicly that Madhuban Ashram is currently not under ISKCON management, so travellers should treat the two as distinct even though the deities, the worship and the chanting belong to the same shared Gaudiya Vaishnava practice.
Where to Eat Nearby
- ✦The ashram's own prasad — pure-vegetarian and typically satvik (no onion or garlic), offered to guests; timings follow the aarti and darshan schedule, so ask on arrival.
- ✦Chotiwala Restaurant (Ram Jhula, a short rickshaw ride) — a long-standing pure-vegetarian thali institution; reliably veg, though busy in season.
- ✦Tapovan and Lakshman Jhula vegetarian cafes (a walk or short ride north) — Rishikesh is a wholly vegetarian, alcohol-free town, so eateries here are meat-free; still, confirm the exact outlet locally as cafes change hands.
- ✦Simple Ganga-side veg dhabas around Muni Ki Reti — basic pure-veg thalis and chai near the ghats; honest, inexpensive and hedged, so pick a clean, busy one.
About
Madhuban Ashram sits at Kailash Gate in Muni Ki Reti, on the road that climbs north from Rishikesh town towards Tapovan and Lakshman Jhula, only a short walk from the Ganga.
- It is a Radha-Krishna temple and residential ashram in the Gaudiya Vaishnava (Hare Krishna) devotional tradition, and most visitors — and most map services — find it listed as the "ISKCON temple, Rishikesh." In practice, though, it operates outside the international society: the property runs under the ISKCON New Vrindavan East Trust, and the formal ISKCON Rishikesh centre states publicly that Madhuban Ashram is currently not under ISKCON management, so travellers should treat the two as distinct even though the deities, the worship and the chanting belong to the same shared Gaudiya Vaishnava practice.
- The heart of the complex is the temple hall, where deities of Radha and Krishna are dressed and garlanded through the day in the manner of the Gaudiya lineage.
- Worship follows the familiar Vaishnava rhythm — an early Mangala aarti before dawn, darshan through the morning, a quiet midday break, and an evening aarti that is the most atmospheric time to arrive, when kirtan (call-and-response chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra) rolls through the hall to the beat of mridanga drums and kartal cymbals.
- Beyond the temple, the ashram serves as a calm base for practice: it is associated with Hatha yoga and meditation alongside the Vaishnava ideal of Karma yoga (selfless service), and its unhurried courtyards make a gentler alternative to Rishikesh's busier riverfront ashrams.
- For vegetarian travellers the ashram sits squarely within Rishikesh's ethic — this is a holy town that is entirely vegetarian and alcohol-free by law.
- Prasad here is pure-vegetarian and typically satvik, cooked in the Vaishnava manner without onion or garlic, offered first to the deities and then shared with devotees and guests; a simple prasad meal or a sanctified sweet is part of the experience rather than a transaction.
- There is no formal ticket, and the mood is devotional rather than touristic.
- All visitors are welcome regardless of faith, with the usual temple etiquette: remove your shoes before entering, dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered, silence your phone, and join or observe the aarti quietly rather than photographing the sanctum without asking.
- The ashram pairs naturally with a slow Muni Ki Reti–Tapovan itinerary — the Ganga ghats, Lakshman Jhula and the neighbouring ashrams — and rewards an unhurried, respectful visit.
Timings & Entry Fee
Verified: August 2026
Location & How to Reach
Address
Kailash Gate, Muni Ki Reti, near Badrinath Road (NH-7), on the Rishikesh–Tapovan road, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, 249137
How to Reach: Kailash Gate, Muni Ki Reti, on the Rishikesh–Tapovan road. From Rishikesh's Triveni Ghat or the main market, an auto-rickshaw costs about ₹80–120 (15–20 minutes). From Rishikesh railway station, a taxi is roughly ₹200–300 (25 minutes), and from Haridwar around ₹700–900 (about an hour). It is walkable from the Muni Ki Reti / Shivananda Jhula area and is easily combined on foot with Tapovan and Lakshman Jhula. There is no metro in Rishikesh — auto-rickshaw or taxi is the standard way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Madhuban Ashram the same as the ISKCON temple in Rishikesh?
It is commonly listed on maps and travel sites as the "ISKCON temple, Rishikesh," and it follows the same Gaudiya Vaishnava (Hare Krishna) worship of Radha and Krishna. However, the formal ISKCON Rishikesh centre now states that Madhuban Ashram operates independently of the international society, so it is best treated as a distinct ashram in the same devotional tradition rather than an official ISKCON branch.
What are the timings and aarti times at Madhuban Ashram?
It is reported to open daily around 5:00 AM, with a Mangala aarti near dawn, darshan through the morning, a midday break (roughly 1:00 to 4:00 PM), and an evening aarti around 7:00 PM. Timings shift with the season and festivals, so confirm locally before planning a specific darshan.
Is there an entry fee?
No. As an active temple and ashram, entry and darshan are free. Prasad is offered to devotees and guests, and any donation is voluntary — there is no ticket.
How do I reach Madhuban Ashram at Kailash Gate?
It is at Kailash Gate in Muni Ki Reti, on the Rishikesh–Tapovan road. An auto-rickshaw from Rishikesh's Triveni Ghat or main market costs about ₹80–120 (15–20 minutes); a taxi from Rishikesh station is roughly ₹200–300. It is walkable from the Muni Ki Reti and Tapovan area and easy to combine with Lakshman Jhula. Rishikesh has no metro, so auto-rickshaw or taxi is standard.
Is the food here vegetarian, and what is the prasad like?
Yes — entirely. Rishikesh is a holy town that is vegetarian and alcohol-free by law, and the ashram's prasad is pure-vegetarian and typically satvik, cooked without onion or garlic in the Vaishnava manner. A simple prasad meal or sanctified sweet is part of the visit. Nearby, Chotiwala at Ram Jhula and the vegetarian cafes of Tapovan are dependable pure-veg options.
What should I keep in mind when visiting?
All visitors are welcome regardless of faith. Remove your shoes before entering, dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered, silence your phone, and observe the aarti quietly — ask before photographing the sanctum. The evening kirtan aarti is the most rewarding time to come, and the ashram pairs well with an unhurried walk through Muni Ki Reti, Tapovan and Lakshman Jhula.
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