Yoga Niketan Ashram
Rishikesh, Uttarakhand · temple
- Days OpenOpen daily
- Entry FeeFree Entry
Yoga Niketan Ashram is one of Rishikesh's oldest and most disciplined residential yoga institutions, spread across a wooded, terraced campus in Muni-Ki-Reti on the hill above Ram Jhula. It was founded in 1964 by Paramhamsa Swami Yogeshwaranand Saraswati (1887–1985), a Himalayan yogi and Sanskrit scholar remembered for his systematic exposition of yoga as an experiential science. Unlike the many drop-in yoga studios that have grown up around Rishikesh, Yoga Niketan is run as a traditional gurukul-style ashram: it exists first for sincere practitioners who come to live, study and practise under a fixed rhythm, rather than as a tourist attraction. Its purpose, from the outset, has been the teaching of Raja Yoga — the eightfold path (ashtanga) set out in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras — through the integrated discipline of asana, pranayama, meditation and the study of Vedic philosophy.
Where to Eat Nearby
- ✦Chotiwala, Ram Jhula – a long-running pure-vegetarian thali institution a short walk downhill; reliable for a full sit-down meal.
- ✦Madras Cafe, Ram Jhula – pure-vegetarian South Indian dosas, idlis and satvik dishes; a dependable, long-established favourite (hours vary).
- ✦Gita Bhawan / Parmarth Niketan area stalls, Ram Jhula – simple pure-vegetarian snacks, chai and sweets serving the pilgrim crowd; honest and inexpensive.
- ✦Organic satvik cafes and pure-veg kitchens in the Tapovan / Muni-Ki-Reti lanes - wholesome vegetarian bowls, salads and thalis (ask for eggless bakes); Rishikesh is entirely vegetarian, confirm hours locally.
About
Yoga Niketan Ashram is one of Rishikesh's oldest and most disciplined residential yoga institutions, spread across a wooded, terraced campus in Muni-Ki-Reti on the hill above Ram Jhula.
- It was founded in 1964 by Paramhamsa Swami Yogeshwaranand Saraswati (1887–1985), a Himalayan yogi and Sanskrit scholar remembered for his systematic exposition of yoga as an experiential science.
- Unlike the many drop-in yoga studios that have grown up around Rishikesh, Yoga Niketan is run as a traditional gurukul-style ashram: it exists first for sincere practitioners who come to live, study and practise under a fixed rhythm, rather than as a tourist attraction.
- Its purpose, from the outset, has been the teaching of Raja Yoga — the eightfold path (ashtanga) set out in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras — through the integrated discipline of asana, pranayama, meditation and the study of Vedic philosophy.
- The defining feature of a stay here is its structure.
- Residents keep a strict daily timetable that begins before dawn: two yoga sessions and two meditation sessions each day, framed by prayer, philosophical study and satsang, with simple satvik vegetarian meals served at set hours in the communal dining hall.
- Mobile phones, idle chatter and casual coming-and-going are discouraged; the campus keeps mauna (silence) and an early lights-out.
- This monastic register is precisely what draws serious seekers — the ashram is a place to practise, not to sightsee.
- The setting helps: from the terraces you look across forested slopes toward the Ganga as it leaves the mountains, and the air carries temple bells from the ghats below.
- Rishikesh is a holy city that is vegetarian and alcohol-free by law, and Yoga Niketan sits squarely within that ethos.
- Meals in the ashram are plain, sattvic and wholly vegetarian, cooked to support long hours of practice rather than to indulge.
- Because it is a working ashram, casual visitors should be respectful and low-key: enter quietly, dress modestly, remove footwear where required, avoid photographing residents in practice, and understand that access to the interior and to courses is arranged with the ashram office, not walked into on a whim.
- For the curious traveller it is best appreciated as a short, reverent visit to sense the atmosphere of old-Rishikesh sadhana; for those who want the real thing, it remains one of the most authentic places in the yoga capital of the world to learn Patanjali's path as a lived discipline.
Timings & Entry Fee
Verified: August 2026
Location & How to Reach
Address
Muni-Ki-Reti, near Ram Jhula, Shivanand Nagar, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, 249192
How to Reach: Muni-Ki-Reti, on the hillside just above Ram Jhula, Rishikesh. From Rishikesh (Triveni Ghat / main town) an auto-rickshaw to Ram Jhula costs about ₹80–120 (15–20 minutes); from there it is a short uphill walk. Rishikesh (Yoga Nagari) railway station is about 6 km away and Jolly Grant (Dehradun) airport about 20 km. Cross Ram Jhula on foot to reach the Muni-Ki-Reti ashram belt.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Yoga Niketan Ashram founded and by whom?
Yoga Niketan Ashram was established in 1964 by Paramhamsa Swami Yogeshwaranand Saraswati (1887–1985), a Himalayan yogi and Sanskrit scholar. It sits in Muni-Ki-Reti, on the hillside above Ram Jhula in Rishikesh, and has taught Raja Yoga — Patanjali's eightfold path — as a lived discipline ever since.
Is there an entry fee to visit Yoga Niketan Ashram?
There is no ticketed entry fee to the ashram grounds. It is a working residential institution rather than a paid attraction, so casual visitors should be respectful and low-key. Residential yoga and meditation courses, which include accommodation and simple vegetarian meals, are charged separately — confirm current details and availability directly with the ashram office.
What does Yoga Niketan Ashram teach?
The ashram follows the Raja Yoga tradition based on Patanjali's Yoga Sutras — the eightfold path (ashtanga). Residents practise asana (postures), pranayama (breath control) and meditation, alongside the study of Vedic philosophy, within a strict daily schedule that typically includes two yoga sessions and two meditation sessions each day.
Can tourists just walk in to see the ashram?
It is primarily a residential ashram for practitioners, not a sightseeing spot, so visiting hours are limited and access to the interior and to courses is arranged with the ashram office rather than walked into. If you do visit, keep it brief and quiet: dress modestly, remove footwear where asked, avoid photographing residents in practice, and respect the campus silence.
How do I reach Yoga Niketan Ashram in Rishikesh?
The ashram is in Muni-Ki-Reti, just uphill from Ram Jhula. From central Rishikesh an auto-rickshaw to Ram Jhula costs about ₹80–120 and takes 15–20 minutes, followed by a short walk across the bridge and up the slope. Rishikesh (Yoga Nagari) railway station is about 6 km away and Jolly Grant airport near Dehradun about 20 km.
Where can I eat vegetarian food near Yoga Niketan Ashram?
Rishikesh is a vegetarian and alcohol-free holy city, so options nearby are entirely pure-veg. Downhill around Ram Jhula, Chotiwala serves classic vegetarian thalis and Madras Cafe is a long-standing pick for South Indian dosas and idlis. The Gita Bhawan and Parmarth Niketan area has simple satvik snack and chai stalls, and several small organic satvik cafes in Muni-Ki-Reti cater to the ashram community — check their timings locally.
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