Parmarth Niketan - History, Timings & Entry Fee

At a distance of 4 km from Rishikesh Railway Station, Parmarth Niketan is one of the most famous ashrams situated on the banks of River Ganges in Rishikesh. It is the venue for International Yoga Festival held every year in Rishikesh in the month of February.

The ashram was founded in 1942 by Swami Shukdevanandji Maharaj (1901-1965). Since 1986, Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji Maharaj is the President and Spiritual Head of Parmarth Niketan. Parmarth Niketan is one of the oldest and largest ashrams in Rishikesh. It is also the headquarters of the Swami Shukdevanand Trust, a non-profit organization dedicated to religion, spirituality and culture.

Parmarth Niketan is home to a 14 feet Shiva statue on the banks of Ganges. The divine tree of heaven Kalpavriksha was planted at the premises of this ashram by Vijaypal Baghel of Himalaya Vahini. This Ashram is famous for its Hawan and Ganga Aarti that takes place daily in the morning and evening at Parmarth Ghat. The ashram also runs a school, which follows the traditional and cultural approach. Daily activities also include morning universal prayers and meditation classes, daily satsang and lecture programs, kirtans, as well as Nature Cure and Ayurvedic treatment and training.

The ashram also provides accommodation facilities to visitors. It is the largest ashram in Rishikesh with over 1000 rooms. There are frequent camps in which pilgrims come from different parts of the world to take part in intensive courses on yoga, meditation, pranayama, stress management, acupressure, Reiki, Ayurveda and other ancient Indian sciences. The ashram is visited by large number of visitors during International Yoga Festival that is held every year.

Parmarth Niketan Ashram can be reached either by walking through the Ram Jhula or by crossing the Ganga River by boat. The boats are not operational in monsoon season. Another way to reach Parmarth Niketan is by road via Veerbhadra Road, which is 15 km from Rishikesh Railway Station.