Sivananda Ashram Rishikesh – The Divine Life Society & Yoga of Synthesis

Sacred Sanatana Heritage

The Cradle of Integral Yoga & Selfless Service

Rooted in authentic Himalayan Guru-Shishya parampara along the sacred river Ganga.

Lineage & Guru

H.H. Sri Swami Sivananda Saraswati Maharaj

Perched on the verdant banks of the Ganga in Muni Ki Reti, **Sivananda Ashram** (the world headquarters of **The Divine Life Society**) is one of the most sacred spiritual hermitages on Earth. Founded in 1936 by the legendary sage and medical doctor **Sri Swami Sivananda Saraswati**, the ashram has guided millions of seekers toward god-realization and moral purity.

Swami Sivananda synthesized the four classical branches of yoga into his famous motto: *"Serve, Love, Give, Purify, Meditate, Realize"*. The ashram maintains an extraordinary spiritual vibration centered on the holy Samadhi Mandir of Gurudev, the sacred Vishwanath Shiva Temple, free medical services to the needy, and scholarly publication of spiritual literature.

Location: Muni Ki Reti, Post Shivanandanagar, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand 249192

Sivananda Ashram Rishikesh – The Divine Life Society & Yoga of Synthesis

Spiritual Disciplines

Courses, Retreats & Yogic Sadhana

Authentic pathways of self-discovery, pranic purification, and meditative mastery.

Formal Academy

Yoga Vedanta Forest Academy (2-Month Intensive)

Duration: 2 Months Residential

Core Focus: Vedanta, Gita & Hatha Yoga

Daily Sessions: Full-Time Monastic Schedule

Suggested Fee: Free for Selected Applicants

World-renowned residential certificate course in Hatha Yoga, Vedanta philosophy, Bhagavad Gita, and Sanskrit, conducted thrice annually for selected seekers.

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Silent Sadhana

Daily Spiritual Sadhana for Approved Residents

Duration: Approved Guest Residencies

Core Focus: Meditation, Japa & Swadhyaya

Daily Sessions: Early Dawn to Night

Suggested Fee: Purely Voluntary Donation

Deep immersion in silent meditation, morning and evening prayers, scriptural study, and selfless service (Karma Yoga).

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Devotional Satsang

Daily Evening Satsang & Bhajan Gathering

Duration: Open Every Evening

Core Focus: Kirtan, Discourses & Prasad

Daily Sessions: 06:30 PM to 08:00 PM

Suggested Fee: Open to All Public (Free)

Open to all visitors every evening at the Vishwanath Mandir and Samadhi Hall, featuring soulful chanting, discourses, and distribution of sacred Prasad.

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Dinacharya

Typical Daily Ashram Routine

A disciplined, peaceful rhythm designed to awaken mental clarity and physical vitality.

05:00 AM – 06:00 AM

Meditation in Samadhi Hall

Silent meditation and morning prayers at the holy Samadhi Shrine of Gurudev Swami Sivananda.

06:00 AM – 07:30 AM

Classical Sivananda Hatha Yoga

The traditional sequence of 12 foundational asanas, Pranayama, and deep Savasana.

07:30 AM – 08:30 AM

Simple Traditional Breakfast

Wholesome, simple ashram breakfast consumed in contemplative silence.

08:30 AM – 11:30 AM

Karma Yoga (Selfless Seva)

Volunteering in the charitable hospital, publishing department, guest kitchen, or gardens.

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Nutritious Sattvic Lunch

Traditional South and North Indian satvik meal served to monastics and approved guests.

04:00 PM – 05:00 PM

Evening Yoga & Pranayama

Restorative yoga postures and silent concentration practice.

06:30 PM – 08:00 PM

Daily Grand Evening Satsang

Stotra chanting, musical bhajans, discourses on the Upanishads, and sacred arati.

08:00 PM – 08:45 PM

Light Dinner & Night Silence

Light evening porridge or milk followed by peaceful retirement to personal sadhana.

Living Quarters

Accommodation, Sattvic Diet & Campus

Simple, sacred living environments designed to foster inner tranquility.

Campus Sanctuary

Sacred Gurudev Samadhi Mandir

The vibrant spiritual core of the campus where the holy body of Swami Sivananda is enshrined, radiating peaceful spiritual energy.

Campus Sanctuary

Historic Vishwanath Shiva Temple

Consecrated by Swami Sivananda in 1943, conducting continuous daily Vedic pujas, rudrabhisheka, and evening fire rituals.

Campus Sanctuary

Charitable Allopathic & Eye Hospital

Providing free modern medical, surgical, and ophthalmic treatments to thousands of Himalayan locals and wandering sadhus.

Sacred Conduct

Ashram Etiquette and Visitor Rules

Honor the spiritual sanctity of the hermitage and support the communal peaceful vibration.

Sattvic Purity

1. Pure Diet & Abstinence

Strictly 100% vegetarian premises. Smoking, alcohol, tobacco, non-vegetarian food, and intoxicants are totally prohibited throughout the campus and sacred riverbanks.

Modesty

2. Modest Clothing

Wear loose-fitting, comfortable cotton attire that fully covers shoulders, chest, and knees. White or light pastels are traditional and promote calm mental energy.

Digital Detox

3. Silence & Presence

Observe scheduled hours of Mauna (noble silence). Silence all phones in meditation halls and dining rooms to respect other seekers in their inner contemplation.

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Essential Inquiries

Frequently Asked Questions

Key answers regarding admission, stays, costs, and spiritual travel.

No. Sivananda Ashram is not a tourist lodge or hotel. Accommodation is reserved exclusively for serious spiritual disciples and applicants who receive written approval in advance.

Yes, the holy Samadhi Mandir, Vishwanath Temple, and evening Satsang (06:30 PM – 08:00 PM) are open to all respectful visitors without prior registration.

All visitors must wear conservative, modest attire covering shoulders and legs. White or traditional Indian dress is preferred.

The Cradle of Integral Yoga & Selfless Service

H.H. Sri Swami Sivananda Saraswati Maharaj

Courses, Retreats & Yogic Sadhana

Yoga Vedanta Forest Academy (2-Month Intensive)

Daily Spiritual Sadhana for Approved Residents

Daily Evening Satsang & Bhajan Gathering

Typical Daily Ashram Routine

Meditation in Samadhi Hall

Classical Sivananda Hatha Yoga

Simple Traditional Breakfast

Karma Yoga (Selfless Seva)

Nutritious Sattvic Lunch

Evening Yoga & Pranayama

Daily Grand Evening Satsang

Light Dinner & Night Silence

Accommodation, Sattvic Diet & Campus

Sacred Gurudev Samadhi Mandir

Historic Vishwanath Shiva Temple

Charitable Allopathic & Eye Hospital

Ashram Etiquette and Visitor Rules

1. Pure Diet & Abstinence

2. Modest Clothing

3. Silence & Presence

Frequently Asked Questions

Plan Your Spiritual Stay at Sivananda Ashram Rishikesh – The Divine Life Society & Yoga of Synthesis