Cover Photo by Bhaskar Pundhir
Haridwar is a holy city located on the banks of the Ganges river. Proclaimed as the pilgrimage heaven for Hindus, the city helps its guests attain a sense of spirituality and bring them closer to God, which is otherwise difficult in the hustle and bustle of the busy urban lives.
From the famous spot where the river Gangers enters into the northern plains to the highly revered Kumbh Mela, the striking temples to the mythical bathing ghats, Haridwar is a wonder of heritage charm that draws thousands of curious travellers and devotees from all over the world.
Guests in Haridwar prefer to stay in ashrams over a luxurious hotel or resort because they hold in them the true essence of the city that is serene and helps them let go of all their burdens. If you are also planning to embark on a spiritual journey to this holy city in Uttarakhand, India, here is a list of the best ashrams in Haridwar for you to stay and acquire peace.
1. Prem Nagar Ashram
Prem Nagar Ashram in Haridwar offers a tranquil stay experience to its guests. The ashram features a spacious 800 rooms complex surrounded by lush greenery with water fountains. It also has a huge Satsang hall enshrined with quotations from all leading saints and spiritual souls of India. All in all, it is a manifestation of serenity and offers a spiritual environment for its guests to participate in the transcendental sacrifice.
Prem Nagar is among the oldest ashrams in Haridwar that was built in the year 1943 by Yogiraj Satgurudev Shri Hans Ji Maharaj and further developed by Jagat Janani Shri Mata Ji and Shri Satpal Ji Maharaj.
Activities
- Daily bhajan kirtan
- Free medical check-up
- Yoga and medication
- Light and sound show every Wednesday and Sunday
Location
The ashram is located about 3 kilometres from the main Haridwar city, 35 kilometres from the Jolly Grant Airport and 5 kilometres from the Haridwar railway station.
2. Shri Jairam Ashram
Shri Jairam Ashram in Haridwar is one of the best that offers a free stay to its guests. Besides being near Har Ki Pauri, the ashram is famous for its diorama exhibition, a massive white statue that depicts the entire Samudra Manthan episode, and other vibrant white sculptures of the Hindu gods.
Shri Jairam Ashram was built by Adi Guru Sri Jai Ram Maharaj in the year 1891 and is among the oldest ashrams in the city. It features a beautifully lit up 512 rooms complex with modern facilities and surrounded by gardens with water fountains. Additionally, it has a homoeopathic dispensary, charitable hospital and a gaushala inside the premises.
Activities
- Daily bhajan kirtan
- Free medical check-up
- Vedic and Sanskrit studies
- Community marriages
Location
The ashram is located at Bhimgoda in Haridwar, which is about 6 kilometres from the Haridwar railway station, 1 kilometre from Har Ki Pauri, and 36.5 kilometres from the Jolly Grant Airport.
3. Parmarth Ashram
Parmarth Ashram in Haridwar welcomes its guests with a serene and peaceful atmosphere to forget all the worries and find contentment in god’s love. Overlooking the holy Ganges river, Parmarth ashram offers a perfect place to do yoga and meditation. It features a ghat, library, charitable hospital, Satsang hall and a gaushala. What makes it one of the best ashrams in Haridwar is its free stay facility for student travellers.
Parmarth Ashram is also in proximity to the best places to visit in Haridwar, including Har Ki Pauri, Mansa Devi Temple, Bharat Mata Temple, Shantikunj, among other attractions. This makes it easier for its guests to explore other aspects of the city and have a memorable experience.
Activities
- Ganga aarti at the ghat
- Bhajan and kirtan
- Yoga and meditation
- Free medical check-up
Location
The ashram is located in Motichoor, Haridwar at about 43.4 kilometres from the Jolly Grant Airport and 32.7 kilometres from the Haridwar Railway Station.
4. Pawan Dham Ashram
Away from the city’s hustle-bustle is this peaceful place in Haridwar named Pawan Dham Ashram. Mainly a Non-Profit Organization, Pawan Dham works for the welfare of saints, cows, and other underprivileged sections of society. Its Haridwar ashram offers free stay and food accompanied by other recreational activities, for both saints and guests.
Besides being an ashram. Pawan Dham is famous for its ancient temple that features exquisite glass and mirror work architecture complemented by decorated idols of various Hindu gods. The temple is one of the most famous Hindu pilgrimage sites in the city.
Activities
- Temple aarti
- Ganga aarti
- Bhajan and kirtan
- Yoga and meditation
Location
Pawan Dham Ashram is located in Bhagirathi Nagar, Haridwar. It is around 34.5 kilometres from Jolly Grant Airport and 5.4 kilometres from the Haridwar Railway Station.
5. Vasudev Ashram
Vasudev Ashram is a part of Shri Vasudev Ashram Trust Samity and one of the best ashrams in Haridwar near Har Ki Pauri. The ashram features a huge complex surrounded by lush greenery and a Sheesh Mahal temple. It has been the chosen retreat of saints, pilgrims, and especially tourists who are either in search of peace or willing to pursue a solidarity life of spiritual study and meditation.
The Ashram was founded by Shri 108 Swami Vasudev Ji Maharaj and further developed and maintained by Janani Bharmkaleen Swami Srwanand Ji Maharaj.
Activities
- Bhajan and kirtan
- Yoga and meditation
- Spiritual training camps
Location
The ashram is located at a distance of 3.5 kilometres from the Haridwar Railway Station, 34 kilometres from the Jolly Grant Airport, and at a reasonable distance from other city attractions.
6. Shantikunj Ashram
This massive ashram in Haridwar attracts saints, pilgrims and tourists with its serene and spiritual environment that encourages yoga and meditation. Besides, the ashram also serves as a Global Centre for Yug Nirman Yojana - a Movement for The Reconstruction of the Era that teaches, ‘Divinity in mankind is the foremost objective of life’.
Shantikunj Ashram was built in 1971 as the headquarter of the social and spiritual organization named All World Gayatri Pariwar. The Ashram complex features many temples and a yoga shala.
Activities
- Yoga and meditation
- Recreational activities
- Moral values training camps
- Spiritual camps and classes
Location
Shantikunj Ashram is located about 6 kilometres from the Haridwar Railway Station and 44.9 kilometres from the Jolly Grant Airport.
7. Ma Anandamayi Ashram
Ma Anandamayee Ashram is a spiritual centre dedicated to Sri Ma Anandamayi who was a prominent Bengali mystic and a renowned spiritual personality. This ashram in Haridwar was built as a samadhi for her and still houses her grave in its Sanctorum.
Located on the banks of the river Ganges, Ma Anandamayee Ashram is a centre of devotion and belief in the sacredness of the spiritual world. It offers a peaceful and serene place for devotees and guests to perform yoga, meditation and participate in other recreational activities organized by the ashram committee.
Activities
- Bhajan and kirtan
- Yoga and meditation
- Ma Anandamayee Satsang
- Moral and spiritual training camps
Location
The ashram is located at Kankhal in Haridwar, which is about 3.7 kilometres from the main Haridwar city, 41.8 kilometres from Jolly Grant Airport and 4.7 kilometres from Haridwar Railway Station.
8. Sapt Rishi Ashram
One of the oldest and beautiful ashrams in Haridwar, Saptrishi Ashram is located on the banks of the river Ganges and offers a tranquil space for devotees and tourists in the city. Going by mythological beliefs, the ashram’s location is where the Saptarishis ‘Seven Great Sages namely Kashyapa, Vashisht, Atri, Vishwamitra, Jamadagi, Bharadwaja and Gautam decided to meditate. However, their meditation got disrupted by the gushing sound of the flowing river and they trapped its flow in anger. This results in the river splitting into seven streams to make lesser noise with the point known as Saptsarovar.
Though a mythological belief, this story has resulted in making Sapt Rishi Ashram one of the famous places to stay and also a part of the Haridwar tour package.
Activities
- Ganga aarti
- Bhajan and kirtan
- Yoga and meditation
Location
The ashram is located at a distance of 5 kilometres from Haridwar main city. The nearest railway station is 7 kilometres and the Jolly Grant Airport is at a distance of 30 kilometres.
9. Shri Kutchi Lal Rameshwar Ashram
Shri Kutchi Lal Rameshwar Ashram in Haridwar is known for its calm and relaxing atmosphere that is mostly chosen as a stay by devotees from Gujarat. Though a little away from the main city, the ashram is at a reasonable distance from Har Ki Pauri, Bharat Mata Temple, and other famous religious attractions.
Shri Kutchi Lal Rameshwar Ashram was built by Bhagwan Odhavram to serve as a home away from home for all the Kutchis travelling to Haridwar, where they can live in the style of their native land and speak their language.
Activities
- Havan
- Yagya
- Bhajan and kirtan
- Yoga and meditation
- Gurukul education
- Diwali Mahotsav
Location
The ashram is located at Sapt Sarovar Marg, Bhoopatwala in Haridwar. It is about 6.7 kilometres from the Haridwar Railway Station and 43.7 kilometres from the Jolly Grant Airport.
10. Shri Chetan Jyoti Ashram
Shri Chetan Jyoti Ashram is one of the popular choices among devotees and travellers for its location, affordability and facilities. It is a popular transit point for people visiting the Kumbh Mela or exploring the city attractions, including Har Ki Pauri, Mansa Devi Temple, Bharat Mata Temple, among others.
The idea behind offering low-cost food and lodging facilities is to encourage mankind to selflessly serve others. The ashram features a well-structured complex and a temple with lush green surroundings that makes it perfect for spiritual and recreational activities.
Activities
- Langar sewa
- Temple aarti
- Bhajan and kirtan
- Free medical checkups
Location
The ashram is located at a distance of 3.9 kilometres from Haridwar Railway Station and about 35 kilometres from the Jolly Grant Airport.
Park yourself and stay at any of the above-listed ashrams in Haridwar to have a peaceful and relaxing experience like never before.
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