Ashrams in the Himalayas for Permanent Stay – There comes a time in everybody’s life when the mind grows weary of the ephemeral existence and the hedonistic pleasures. It is during the sunset phase of your life that you fervently desire to delve deeper into the inner recesses of your consciousness, to find out exactly who you’re. However, in order to unravel your true self, you need to retire to a serene and peaceful environment, far from the madding crowd.
The Himalayas straddling the Indian subcontinent from the north to the east has been the abode of sages since times immemorial. Referred to as the ‘abode of snow’ since ages, the Himalayas has served as the breeding ground to decode the true meaning of life. The section of the Himalayas that lies in India is dotted with ashrams offering an ideal environment for spiritual transcendence.
In this blog we’re going to cover some of the best ashrams in the Himalayas allowing you to stay permanently. While some ashrams let you stay for free in return for voluntary services others charge a very nominal rate. Innumerable people who decided to give ashram life a try have stayed back for good finding their existence a life-changing experience.
List of the Top 6 Ashrams in the Himalayas for Permanent Stay
| Name of Ashram | Location/Address | Contact No. | Staying Procedure |
| Geeta Bhavan | Swargashram Road, Swarg Ashram Road, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand-249304 | 0135 (243 0122) | Allows permanent stay |
| Bharat Heritage Service | Pt. Dayaram Institute of Holistic Healings and Sciences, 273, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand-249304 | 9837089079 | You can stay for free by volunteering to help ashram inmates |
| Shiva Priya Yoga Ashram | Devaldhar, Chamolgaon, Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand-249304 | 91753390513 | Participate in the meditation and volunteer program (MVP) and other ashram activities in return for free food and accommodation |
| Sri Yoga Ashram | Laxman Jhula, Near Post Office, Rishikesh-249302 | 9058891668 | You can stay temporarily or for a long term by paying minimal charges |
| Parmarth Niketan | Swargashram, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand-249304 | (0315)-2434301, 2434302, 7830060088 | Fulltime volunteers get three meals a day and separate accommodation |
| Manikaran Sahib Gurudwara | Hari Har Ghat, Manikaran Road, District- Kullu, Manikaran-175105 Himachal Pradesh | 9736400400, (01902-273821) | Free accommodation and food for 4000 individuals in the Sarai or living quarters |
- Geeta Bhavan, Rishikesh
Nestling on the holy Ganges’s bank and offering free accommodation, Geeta Bhavan is high on the list of spiritual seekers. There are a total of 1,000 rooms in Geeta Bhavan where people from all corners of the world put up. You can participate in the meditation and yoga programs organized by the ashram for attaining spiritual solace.
- Bharat Heritage Service
You can reside at Bharat Heritage Service as long as you like and enjoy all the facilities for free including food and accommodation. You also get to volunteer for yoga, meditation courses, detox programs, and so on. You also get a chance to receive a certification for volunteering to help children of a lesser god.
- Shiva Priya Yoga Ashram
As the ashram’s name clearly indicates, Shiva Priya Yoga Ashram is reputed for offering a variety of yoga programs under the tutelage of trained teachers. You can also partake in the ashram’s daily activities such as painting, gardening, web designing, cooking, and much more.
- Sri Yoga Ashram
If you wish to invoke your spiritual alter ego while meditation in the lap of Mother Nature, Sir Yoga Ashram is your best bet. Though Yoga Ashram is especially suitable for old people, you’ll find many young men and women staying here. However, you’ll have to pay to stay here and the rates are pretty expensive.
- Parmarth Niketan
Parmarth Niketan is the biggest ashram in Rishikesh that offers an opportunity to passionate volunteers to stay in their premises and offer their services. The ashram organizes and holds the International Yoga Festival every year.
- Manikaran Sahib Gurudwara
Manikaran Sahib Gurudwara strategically located in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh allows visitors to stay for free. You can also park your vehicle free of cost not to mention the langar meals that are free as well. The gurudwara situated on the rippling Parvati River can accommodate up to 4000 persons at a time, and yes you can live as long as you desire.
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FAQs
The word ‘ashram’ originates from the Sanskrit term for labor or work -‘srama’. So ashram essentially means staying in harmony with others, and achieving liberation or salvation through work.
When one gets tired and exhausted of living in a city and following a 9-5 daily work schedule, the individual looks for an outlet to escape the monotonous urban existence. And that is when the individual makes up his or her mind to go to an ashram, and if possible live there lifelong.
Yes there are numerous ashrams not only in the Himalayas but also throughout the country.
First and foremost you need to carefully consider all the pros and cons of living in an ashram permanently. Once you’ve made up your mind, you’ll need to register with your preferred ashram to stay forever; however it is up to the ashram head to allow you to do so.