Parmarth Niketan is a true, spiritual haven, lying on the holy banks of Mother Ganga, in the lap of the lush Himalayas. It is also the largest ashram in Rishikesh. Parmarth Niketan provides its thousands of pilgrims – who come from all corners of the Earth – with a clean, pure and sacred atmosphere as well as abundant, beautiful gardens. With several hundred rooms, the facilities are a perfect blend of modern amenities and traditional, spiritual simplicity.
Rishikesh – known as the “City of the Divine” and Yoga Capital of the World – is a spiritual center to which sages, rishis, saints and pilgrims have flocked for millennia. The roads of the city are lined with bustling market places of ethnic arts and handicrafts, fresh produce markets, holy shrines and orange-robed sadhus. Then, the road narrows, the markets become more sparse and you come upon a foot bridge, suspended high over the sacred Ganga river. As you cross this bridge, the sun streaming through the sacred Himalayas to warm your being, you will feel as if you have truly come home. It is no surprise that pilgrims are drawn here from all over the world.
The awe-inspiring beauty of the ashram, the clear, flowing Ganga, the majestic mountains, and the lush green forests will embrace and rejuvenate your entire being. Parmarth Niketan offers comfort, inspiration and upliftment for your body, mind and spirit as well as a deeper connection with the Divine. As you stay in the ashram, you will feel your soul bathing in the peace of sacred energies, including those that emanate from nature and those that linger from the timeless healing powers of saints, sages and holy ones. Parmarth Niketan contains within it the voice and the spirit of divine communion.
Rishikesh and Uttarakhand as the sacred birthplace of Yoga. Even after the tragic floods of 2013, when the state faced a huge blow to tourism, the state is standing strong, attracting and inspiring over some 600 participants from over 50 countries in the sacred practice of Yoga during the International Yoga Festival. The Himalayas are not only a place that is safe to travel, but stands strong and resilient in its sacred spiritual roots. The Ministry of Tourism’s beautiful slogan ‘Uttarakhand: Simply Heaven’ is given a deeper, more profound meaning, when through the practice of Yoga, IYF participants leave the sacred land of Devbhoomi, Swargashram with a tangible and exquisite experience of heaven within their own selves, bathing in the waters of their own peace, love and joy.
Directions to IYF
- From Haridwar, continue 15 Km.
- Just past the Hanumanji Temple (Baba Neem Karoli Temple), you will see the IDPL Gate on your right. Turn right at this gate.
- Take the Barrage Bridge. (There will also be signs for Parmarth. Follow these signs.)
- Immediately after crossing the bridge, turn left and continue to travel through the mountains.When you reach the fork in the road, turn left and follow the road down.
- Turn left at the sign for Parmarth.
- Turn right at the end of the road to reach the back entrance of Parmarth and the car park.Alternatively, if you don’t wish to travel the mountain route, the car can come to the Muni-ki-reti parking lot at Ram Jhula. From there, cross Ganga by motor boat or by foot on the Ram Jhula foot bridge. Coolies are available at the Muni-ki-reti parking lot for hire if necessary. After crossing, turn right and walk until you get to Parmarth Niketan, a few hundred meters.
There are several trains a day between Delhi and Haridwar. You can book tickets online at www.indianrail.gov.in.
The Ashram is 1 hour taxi ride from Haridwar Junction Station. You can either hire a taxi to take you directly to the ashram, or you can take a taxi, bus, or rickshaw to the Muni-ki-reti parking lot in Rishikesh near Ram Jhula. From there you can take a motor boat across Ganga or walk across the bridge. After crossing, turn right and walk the road to Parmarth Niketan. We are a few hundred meters down river from Ram Jhula.
There are several flights a day to Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun (near Rishikesh) from across India, including flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Lucknow, Bangalore, and others. The airport is only about 45 minutes from the ashram, and there are plenty of taxis available.
From there airport you can take a taxi to Rishikesh. See www.yatra.com or www.makemytrip.com for details.
Need help with transport arrangements?
Please contact Manish Taxi Services directly:
Office number: (+91) 9568318992
Mobile: (+91) 9719110191, (+91) 9568318992
Email: manish_chakravarty2006@yahoo.com (please cc rameshji@parmarth.com)
Be aware of travel scams!
When booking travel or accomodations, please be aware of possible scams. Each year, tourists are coerced into shops, travel agencies and unofficial tourist offices (which sometimes claim to be official, Government offices), where they are overcharged exorbitant prices and never receive what they believe they have payed for.
If you use travel agents or offices, we recommend using accredited agents and getting your transaction in writing. You can report any scam activity to the police.
Download the Festival Map
Download the map of Parmarth Niketan to find IYF venues, ashram facilities and room blocks.
