Best Ashrams in India for Yoga and Meditation
Yoga is a kind of exercise that has been done for ages. Its benefits can’t be denied. India is a land of ashrams and meditation centers where you can find peace and serenity. Hence, we have curated the highly popular yoga centers. We believe that comparing one ashram from another is impossible, as each one of it has its own history, lineage, and approach. Here we have pen down the list of 10 best ashrams in India for Yoga and Meditation.
1 Parmarth Niketan, Rishikesh
This ashram is located on the banks of River Ganges, Rishikesh. It is one of the top yoga centers and one of the biggest ashrams. It is spread across eight acres of land and can accommodate 1000 rooms in it. The rooms are available at different rates depending upon the standard that you select. The initial stay is for 15 days is allowed. Two yoga classes and three meals are included in the price. The ashram runs extensive programs of Yoga, Vedic heritage and culture. The teacher training programs are also offered. The outside people are also welcome to attend the yoga classes. The evening Ganga Aarti is highly popular.
Nearest Airport: Jolly Grant Hospital, Dehradun
Ashram Website– https://www.parmarth.org/
2 Sivananda Ashram, Rishikesh
Every place that you visit exudes certain emotions and feelings. Sivananda Ashram is one such ashram that denotes positivity and divinity. This ashram was founded by Swami Sivananda and it is run by the Divine Life Society. The teachings in this center are based on improving your posture, breathing pattern, relaxation and how to improve diet to attain serenity. Free yoga and meditation classes are also offered daily. The accommodations and meals are also provided free of cost to the individuals who are serious spiritual seekers and they need to apply one month in advance. The ashram is located near to Ram Jhula near to the main road.
Nearest Airport: Jolly Grant Hospital, Dehradun
Ashram Website– http://www.sivanandaonline.org/public_html/
3 Amma Ashram, Amritapuri
You don’t need to be a serious spiritual seeker to enter in this ashram. This is also popularly called as hugging saint ashram. Amma travels around the world to share yoga tips and how to boil down the anger and spread peace. Her home is in Amritapuri and here you can come to receive the much needed hug. This lovely hug can change the life of recipient.
Nearest Airport- Cochin International Airport
Ashram Website:https://www.amritapuri.org/
4 Art of Living Ashram, Bangalore
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is a name that needs no introduction. He is a spiritual leader and has propagated peace around the world. He established this ashram in 1986. Located amidst nature, this ashram offers serenity to the stressed mind. Here, you can do several yoga activities. The ashram looks like a miniscule city and is surrounded by an environment that lets you to go into deep introspection. The kitchen is run by the volunteers and they offer different programs for the different age groups.
Ashram Page-https://www.artofliving.org/
Nearest Airport-Bengaluru Airport
5 Ayur Yoga Ashram, Mysore, Karnataka
It is the newest ashram on the list. This ashram is known as the youngest because the teachings are sourced from ancient Hatha lineage and Ayurveda. The ashram is surrounded by organic farms and here you can traditionally learn yoga in a modern form. There is a beginner and intensive courses and this ashram also offers Ayurvedic treatments. There is a charitable trust run by this ashram that teaches the farmers about the process of organic farming.
Ashram Page:https://www.ayuryoga-ashram.com
Nearest Airport: Mandakalli Airport, Mysore
6 Bihar School of Yoga, Munger
Image Credit: Trawell
This ashram was founded in 1964 and it imparts yogic training to both beginners and experts. The ashram teaches several yoga techniques that lead to personal development of individual. This ashram teaches the students yoga along with mental health science. The programs that are made by this school is used by the government offices, private and public sector industries.
Ashram Page: https://www.biharyoga.net/
Nearest Airport-Patna international airport
7 Osho Asharam, Pune, Maharashtra
It is one of the controversial ashrams because of its opinions. Now, the ashram no longer hold workshops called as undressing. The ashram looks similar to the resort and offers luxurious living to the people. It is compulsory to wear a maroon wardrobe. The courses are directed at treating traumatic experiences and not personal development. The active meditation is held like jumping, screaming, tantra workshops and a range of other activities.
Ashram Page: https://www.osho.com/osho-meditation-resort
Nearest Airport: Mumbai Airport
8 Isha Foundation, Tamil Nadu
It is a non-profit organization that was founded by Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev in the year 1992. The main purpose of this ashram is to foster spiritual and physical well-being. The core of this foundation is to enlighten yourself from within. This 3-7 day program is also called as inner re-engineering and provides you powerful inner energy for deep transformation.
The courses taught here include yoga for children and other meditation programs that treat mind and body on the basis of Ayurvedic principles.
Ashram Page– https://isha.sadhguru.org/in/en/center/isha-yoga-center-coimbatore
Nearest Airport-Chennai International Airport
9 Aurobindo Ashram, Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu
SRI AUROBINDO ASHRAM PONDICHERY It can be reached by road from Chennai. There is a four hours journey only. The main aim of the Ashram is to work towards the creation of a new world and spread humanity. This place is the cult status amongst serious Yoga lovers and meditators. The place is surrounded by well- the manicured garden. The place is a treat for spiritual visitors from around the world.
Ashram Page– https://www.sriaurobindoashram.org/
Nearest Airport-Chennai International Airport
10 ISKCON Center
Contrary to popular belief, yoga is not meant for everyone. This exercise pushes you towards spiritual enlightenment and helps you to meet the divine power. The Vedas talks about how difficult it is to learn yoga. Even in Mahabharata, an ancient epic it is mentioned how Arjuna did yoga during the war and attained self-realization. This yoga practice has been made easy by the ISKCON Center. The center is based on the teachings of Lord Krishna and Gaudiya Vaishnavism, which was established in the 16th century. Here, the devotees practice bhakti yoga which includes controlling one’s mind and direct himself to the awareness of the super-soul. It has its centers all over India. Its headquarters are in Mayapur, West Bengal. The other famous centers are located in Mumbai, Delhi , Virndavan, and Bangalore. Though both the sexes are allowed to enter the ashram, but most of the facilities are provided to the men. Females are not encouraged to live an ascetic life. The guest house is there for a short-term stay.
Ashram Page– https://www.iskcon.org/
Nearest airport– as the centers are located in metropolitan regions. The place is easily accessible to Kolkatta, Delhi and Mumbai airport.
These ashrams in India for Yoga and Meditation let you manifest the serenity and peacefulness. The courses are one-of-a-kind and will let you to enter into a new dimension of life. These ashrams also act as a healing center. So, if any of your near and dear ones is suffering from mental trauma or wish to elevate his or her mental health, should visit them. The ashram pages are also mentioned for your ready reference.
