Parmarth Niketan Rishikesh
Situated in the lap of Himalaya, on the bank of holy Ganga, Parmarth Niketan is the largest ashram in Rishikesh, which consists of around 1000 rooms. The spiritual haven, Parmarth Niketan, was founded in 1942 by Pujya Swami Shukdevanandji Maharaj subsequently managed by Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji Maharaj, now the president and spiritual head. Spread over an area of eight acres, the Parmarth Niketan features a lush green manicured garden, 1000 well furnished residential rooms, Parmarth Gurukul, Swami Shukdevanand Charitable Hospital (a medical institution that provides free test, first aid and medicines to the needy), and Parmarth Niketan (a school that provides free education). The ashram runs Parmarth Yoga Programs, tree plantation programmes, organic farming programmes, and sanitation programmes. Parmarth Niketan attracts a huge gathering of people looking for yoga retreats and yoga studies.
Parmarth Yoga Programs, managed by the Parmarth Niketan provides teacher training courses in yoga throughout the year. Daily life in the ashram includes morning prayers, meditation classes, daily satsangs, lecture programmes and it ends with the peaceful Ganga aarti. Also, the institute organizes free camps for yoga, meditation, pranayama, stress management, acupressure, Reiki, Ayurveda and other ancient Indian sciences.
Inside the ashram, one can see the 14 feet statue of Lord Shiva and a sacred tree, Kalpavriksha, sowed by Vijaypal Baghel of Himalaya Vahini.
Now and then, Parmarth Niketan keeps on organizing cultural and spiritual programmes, which are attended by many acclaimed spiritual sages, musicians, social leaders and others. The ashram also performs sacred Indian wedding ceremonies, and a Ganga aarti every evening.