Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas
Rishikesh, Uttarakhand · temple
- Days OpenOpen daily
- Entry FeeFree Entry
Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas is a living dharmic institution set on the western bank of the Ganga at Shivanandanagar, in the Muni Ki Reti belt just upriver of Rishikesh and within easy walking distance of Ram Jhula and Lakshman Jhula. Founded by Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati — a Garhwal-born sage, philosopher and prolific writer — the ashram grew from the 1960s onward into a cluster of temples, guest houses, schools and cultural academies threaded along the riverfront. Its best-known landmark is the Omkarananda Ganga Sadan, a large multi-storey complex rising directly above the Ganga, whose terraces and ghats give pilgrims an unhurried place to sit, pray and watch the river slide down out of the mountains.
Where to Eat Nearby
- ✦Ashram / Ganga Sadan bhojanalaya (for residents and guests) - simple pure-vegetarian satvik meals, often no onion-garlic; enquire at the office about availability.
- ✦Long-running pure-vegetarian thali houses and bhojanalayas along the Ram Jhula lane - a short walk away; reliably meat-free (confirm which outlet you enter).
- ✦Pure-veg cafes and German bakeries along the Ram Jhula lane - thalis, chai, and baked treats; the whole stretch is vegetarian, but check individual outlets for hygiene and current operation.
- ✦A pure-veg bakery-cafe near Lakshman Jhula - baked treats and river views; a 10-15 minute walk or short auto ride (ask for eggless bakes).
About
Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas is a living dharmic institution set on the western bank of the Ganga at Shivanandanagar, in the Muni Ki Reti belt just upriver of Rishikesh and within easy walking distance of Ram Jhula and Lakshman Jhula.
- Founded by Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati — a Garhwal-born sage, philosopher and prolific writer — the ashram grew from the 1960s onward into a cluster of temples, guest houses, schools and cultural academies threaded along the riverfront.
- Its best-known landmark is the Omkarananda Ganga Sadan, a large multi-storey complex rising directly above the Ganga, whose terraces and ghats give pilgrims an unhurried place to sit, pray and watch the river slide down out of the mountains.
- At the devotional heart of the ashram stands the Omkarananda Dipeshwar Mandir, its principal Shiva shrine, alongside the Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir, the Shri Mahakala-Bhairava Mandir and the Omkarananda-Shanta-Durga Mandir.
- Daily worship follows the classical Shaivite and Shakta rhythm — morning and evening aarti, abhishekam of the Shivalinga with water, milk, bilva leaves and flowers, and the ringing of temple bells that carries across the water.
- Unlike the crowd-magnet ghats downstream, the atmosphere here is contemplative and residential; the ashram is first a place of practice and study, and visitors are received as guests within that discipline.
- What distinguishes Omkarananda from many Rishikesh ashrams is its cultural and educational mission.
- It runs the Omkarananda Saraswati Natya Kala Academy, where Bharatanatyam and classical Indian dance and music are taught and performed, and it supports schools, a college and Sanskrit scholarship, so that spiritual life sits beside the performing arts and learning.
- Ayurveda, yoga and meditation feature in the ashram's broader wellness ethos, in keeping with Rishikesh's identity as the world's yoga capital.
- Rishikesh is a holy city that is vegetarian and alcohol-free by law, and the ashram itself observes strict satvik discipline: any meals served to residents and guests are simple, pure-vegetarian and often prepared without onion and garlic.
- For travelling vegetarians this makes the whole Muni Ki Reti riverfront effortless — German Bakery-style cafes, thali kitchens and pilgrim bhojanalayas line the lanes toward Ram Jhula, all wholly meat-free.
- Come for the riverside calm, the temple aarti and a glimpse of classical dance kept alive on the banks of the Ganga.
Timings & Entry Fee
Verified: August 2026
Location & How to Reach
Address
Swami Omkarananda Saraswati Marg, Shivanandanagar, Muni Ki Reti, near Ram Jhula, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, 249192
How to Reach: Shivanandanagar, Muni Ki Reti, on the Ganga's west bank near Ram Jhula. From Rishikesh town centre or the Triveni Ghat area, an auto-rickshaw to Muni Ki Reti / Ram Jhula costs about ₹60-120 (15-20 minutes); the ashram is a short walk from the Ram Jhula footbridge. From Rishikesh (Yoga Nagari) railway station it is roughly 6-7 km (₹150-250 by auto). Dehradun's Jolly Grant Airport is about 20 km away by taxi.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where exactly is Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas located?
It stands on the west bank of the Ganga at Shivanandanagar, in the Muni Ki Reti area just upstream of Rishikesh, near the Ram Jhula footbridge and within walking distance of Lakshman Jhula. The postal address is Swami Omkarananda Saraswati Marg, Shivanandanagar, P.O. 249192, Muni Ki Reti, Uttarakhand.
Is there an entry fee to visit the ashram and its temples?
No, there is no entry fee to visit the temples and enter the ashram precinct for darshan and prayer, as with most Hindu temples. Stays, cultural programmes or Ayurveda and yoga sessions are arranged separately through the ashram office; confirm any charges and availability locally.
What is special about Omkarananda Ashram?
It is a riverside ashram founded by the sage Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati, best known for the Omkarananda Ganga Sadan rising above the Ganga and its temples — the Omkarananda Dipeshwar Mandir (its principal Shiva shrine), the Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir, the Shri Mahakala-Bhairava Mandir and the Omkarananda-Shanta-Durga Mandir. Beyond daily worship it runs a classical dance and music academy, schools and Sanskrit scholarship, so devotion sits alongside the performing arts and learning.
Can I watch the Ganga aarti or classical dance here?
The ashram holds its own morning and evening aarti at temples such as the Omkarananda Dipeshwar (Shiva) and Kamakshi-Devi mandirs, in a calm, contemplative setting. Its Natya Kala Academy teaches and stages Bharatanatyam and classical Indian dance and music; public performances are occasional and by schedule, so ask at the office. The large evening Ganga aarti crowds gather downstream at Triveni Ghat and Parmarth Niketan, both a short ride away.
How do I reach the ashram from Rishikesh?
Take an auto-rickshaw to Muni Ki Reti or Ram Jhula (about ₹60-120, 15-20 minutes from central Rishikesh), then walk from the Ram Jhula footbridge. It is roughly 6-7 km from Rishikesh's Yoga Nagari railway station and about 20 km from Dehradun's Jolly Grant Airport by taxi.
Where can I eat vegetarian food near the ashram?
Rishikesh and Muni Ki Reti are entirely vegetarian and alcohol-free, so the whole area is easy. The ashram may offer simple satvik meals to guests; nearby, long-running pure-vegetarian thali houses cluster around Ram Jhula, and the lanes toward Ram Jhula and Lakshman Jhula are lined with pure-veg cafes and bakeries (ask for eggless bakes). Check individual outlets for current operation and hygiene.
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