Vanamali Gita Yogashram
Rishikesh, Uttarakhand · temple
- Days OpenOpen daily
- Entry FeeFree Entry
Vanamali Gita Yogashram — commonly known simply as Vanamali Ashram — is a quiet, study-oriented ashram set on the Tapovan hillside above Laxman Jhula, on the west bank of the Ganga where the river finally spills out of the Himalaya onto the plains. It was founded by Mataji Devi Vanamali, a devotee of Sri Krishna and a widely read author whose books retell the lives of Krishna, Shiva, Hanuman and the Devi for a modern audience. The ashram's guiding purpose is spelt out in its name: the sustained, unhurried study of the Bhagavad Gita and the wider wisdom of Sanatana Dharma, approached not as academic exercise but as a living contemplative practice centred on bhakti (devotion) to Krishna.
Where to Eat Nearby
- ✦Tapovan cafes near Laxman Jhula – Rishikesh is a vegetarian, alcohol-free town by law, so the many rooftop and garden cafes here are entirely meat-free; ask for no-onion-garlic if you keep a sattvic diet.
- ✦A pure-veg organic cafe in Tapovan near Laxman Jhula – hours vary seasonally, so confirm on the day, and ask for eggless bakes if you avoid egg.
- ✦Little Buddha Cafe (Tapovan, near Laxman Jhula) – a popular vegetarian cafe with Ganga views; multi-cuisine but strictly meat-free like all of Rishikesh.
- ✦Pure-veg thali houses and mithai shops toward Swarg Ashram – a short ride across toward the main ghats for classic North Indian thalis and sweets.
About
Vanamali Gita Yogashram — commonly known simply as Vanamali Ashram — is a quiet, study-oriented ashram set on the Tapovan hillside above Laxman Jhula, on the west bank of the Ganga where the river finally spills out of the Himalaya onto the plains.
- It was founded by Mataji Devi Vanamali, a devotee of Sri Krishna and a widely read author whose books retell the lives of Krishna, Shiva, Hanuman and the Devi for a modern audience.
- The ashram's guiding purpose is spelt out in its name: the sustained, unhurried study of the Bhagavad Gita and the wider wisdom of Sanatana Dharma, approached not as academic exercise but as a living contemplative practice centred on bhakti (devotion) to Krishna.
- Unlike Rishikesh's large, institutional ashrams, Vanamali is intimate in scale and gentle in rhythm.
- Daily life turns around simple temple worship — morning and evening puja and aarti (the lamp-offering ritual) before the shrine of Krishna — interspersed with meditation, chanting of the divine names, and discourses in which the Gita and allied texts such as the Uddhava Gita are read and unpacked verse by verse.
- Sessions are often livestreamed to a global circle of students, but the heart of the place remains the small hall where a handful of resident and visiting seekers sit together in the cool Himalayan air.
- The setting is the ashram's other teacher: pine-scented slopes, the constant murmur of the Ganga below, and the pilgrim lanes of Tapovan a short walk away.
- For all visitors, regardless of faith, the ashram is a place of study and quiet rather than a sightseeing stop — come to sit in on a discourse or aarti, not to tour.
- Simple courtesies apply: remove your shoes before entering the shrine, dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered, keep phones silent, and check ahead, as discourse timings and open days shift with the resident schedule.
- For vegetarian travellers this could hardly be easier: Rishikesh is a vegetarian and alcohol-free town by law, so every kitchen and cafe in surrounding Tapovan is entirely meat-free, and many follow a sattvic style.
- Ashram food, when offered to guests, is plain vegetarian prasad in the sattvic tradition.
- The ashram pairs naturally with a slow morning in Tapovan — an unhurried, reflective counterpoint to the busier ghats and bridges downstream.
Timings & Entry Fee
Verified: August 2026
Location & How to Reach
Address
Tapovan, above Laxman Jhula, west bank of the Ganga, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, 249192
How to Reach: Tapovan, on the west bank above Laxman Jhula, Rishikesh. From Rishikesh (Nepali Farm / main town) an auto-rickshaw or shared taxi to Tapovan / Laxman Jhula costs about ₹150–250 (20–30 minutes); the final approach through Tapovan's lanes is on foot. From Rishikesh (Yog Nagari) railway station it is roughly 6 km. Nearest major railhead and airport are Haridwar (~25 km) and Dehradun's Jolly Grant Airport (~35 km).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Vanamali Gita Yogashram in Rishikesh?
It is a small, contemplative ashram in Tapovan, above Laxman Jhula on the west bank of the Ganga, founded by Mataji Devi Vanamali. It is devoted to Sri Krishna and to the study of the Bhagavad Gita, with daily puja, meditation, aarti and scriptural discourses. It is intimate and study-focused rather than a large tourist ashram.
Is there an entry fee for Vanamali Ashram?
No, there is no entry fee. Like most ashrams and temples it is open to sincere visitors free of charge and runs on donations. It is a place of worship and study, so come to sit in on aarti or a discourse quietly rather than to sightsee.
What are the timings and can I attend the aarti or Gita discourses?
Darshan and aarti are reported around sunrise and dusk, and Gita discourses run on a rotating weekly schedule that is often also livestreamed. Because timings shift with the resident calendar, it is best to confirm locally or via the ashram's own channels before visiting, especially if you want to attend a specific discourse.
How do I reach Vanamali Gita Yogashram in Tapovan?
It is in Tapovan, above Laxman Jhula on the Ganga's west bank. From central Rishikesh an auto-rickshaw or shared taxi to Tapovan costs about ₹150–250 and takes 20–30 minutes, with the last stretch through the lanes on foot. Rishikesh (Yog Nagari) railway station is about 6 km away; the nearest airport is Dehradun's Jolly Grant (~35 km).
What should I keep in mind when visiting the ashram?
Treat it as a place of study and quiet, not a photo stop. Remove your shoes before entering the shrine, dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered, keep your phone silent, and observe respectfully during puja and aarti. Ask before photographing people or the sanctum. Checking the discourse schedule ahead avoids arriving during a closed hour.
Where can I eat vegetarian food near Vanamali Ashram?
Very easily — Rishikesh is a vegetarian and alcohol-free town by law, so every eatery in surrounding Tapovan is meat-free. Tapovan's rooftop and garden cafes near Laxman Jhula, organic kitchens, and Ganga-view spots like Little Buddha Cafe are all vegetarian; for a classic thali, the sweet and thali houses toward Swarg Ashram are a short ride away. If you keep a sattvic diet, simply ask for no onion or garlic.
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