Parmarth Niketan and Ganga Aarti
Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
Parmarth Niketan is one of the largest and best-known ashrams in Rishikesh, on the Ganga at Muni Ki Reti. It runs daily yoga and meditation classes, and its evening Ganga aarti on the riverside ghat is one of the most popular in town. A tall white statue of Shiva sitting in meditation stands in the river beside it and is one of the most photographed sights in Rishikesh.
What to see and do
- Join the evening Ganga aarti on the Parmarth ghat, with hymns and a large crowd
- See the meditating Shiva statue in the river, a favourite for photographs
- Walk through the ashram's gardens and the arched gateway
- Sit by the river after the aarti when the crowd thins
Ideal for
- Young travellers who want a yoga town atmosphere
- Anyone who enjoys group chanting and live rituals
- Visitors who want an easy introduction to an ashram
Good to know
- Sources give the aarti at about 6 to 7 pm in summer and 5:30 to 6:30 pm in winter, so confirm the time locally
- Arrive early, as the steps fill up quickly, especially at weekends
- Dress modestly and keep shoes at the entrance
- The ashram is a working spiritual centre, so keep voices low and follow the rules posted
- Ashram classes and stays are arranged separately from this visit
Spiritual significance
Parmarth Niketan brings together daily yoga, meditation and the evening aarti in one riverside ashram. For many visitors it is the face of Rishikesh as a place of practice and peace.
Why it matters
- A well-known ashram: daily yoga, meditation and satsang
- The evening aarti: one of the best-loved in Rishikesh
- A Shiva statue in the Ganga: an unmistakable landmark of the town