Rishikesh Meditation Centers, Ashrams, Retreats & Courses

Page Content >>>

Yoga, Meditation and Ayurveda are the three ancient practices which have earned India a highly reputable place for itself globally. There are many cities and towns in different states in India, which are famous worldwide for these practices. Rishikesh is one such place in the northern Himalayan State of Uttarakhand which is a hub of learning and teaching these practices.

The last few decades have seen tremendous interest among people to learn meditation in Rishikesh which has to mushrooming of many meditation or ‘dhyaan’ centers. While yoga centers and courses have been discussed in detail in another article, meditation ashrams and meditation teachers training courses (TTCs) in Rishikesh form the core of this article.

Your search for the best meditation center shall fructify here. We have listed some of the finest meditation centers in Rishikesh near to your place. While some of these are essentially into teaching and offer meditation courses in different techniques of meditation, some others offer meditation in addition to yoga and other healing therapies. Do let me know if any important centre is not here.

What do meditation courses offer?

The centers offer courses based on different styles preached by various gurus or as per Vedic texts. So, while you can have Osho’s dynamic and dance meditations and Ravi Shankar’s Sahaj Samadhi meditations on one hand, there are mindfulness, chakra and kundalini meditation techniques based on ancient Indian scriptures.

The courses offered are both for beginners and for expert teachers. For those who are doing it for the very first time, the duration of the course is generally short whereas for teachers training these are of more duration.

Many of these ashrams offer residential programs in meditation in Rishikesh. It is advisable to check the inclusions and exclusions from the package you are taking for learning meditation in a particular school.

Meditation retreats and camps are organized by some of these schools for further advancement of the practice and achieving harmony with nature while doing ‘dhyaan’.

Check out the popular meditation centers in Rishikesh as listed below…

1/12. Sadhana Mandir, Rishikesh

Sadhna Mandir, as the name suggests, is dedicated to practice of Meditation. It is a little away from main city center of Rishikesh en route to AIIMS Rishikesh and on the banks of River Ganga and is singularly devoted to meditation.

It was founded by Swami Rama in 1966 who believed in the power of meditation for self-realization, attaining peace, being fearless, gentle, loving and being free from the bondages of life.

The ashram offers retreats for the beginners to meditation and for the experts. These of different duration of time, from 3 days to 16 days retreats. It aims to teach closeness of man to nature and attaining oneness in different realms of existence. The course in meditation is taught under guidance of a guru. Since the primary focus is on meditation, classes held for yoga and breathing exercises are practiced only to the extent is necessary.

Sadhana Mandir Trust
Ramnagar, P.O. Pashulok
Rishikesh, 249203, (Uttarakhand) India
Contact number: +91-135- 243-1693 & 243-1879, +918650464848, +919760507112
email: mailbox@sadhanamandir.org, sadhanamandirashram@gmail.com

2/12. Swami Rama Sadhak Grama Ashram

Founded by Swami Rama Bharati in 2002, this Ashram is also a head office of the Association of Himalayan Yoga Meditation Societies International (AHYMSIN). The aim of the center is not only to practice and teach yoga meditation but also to conduct research in this field.

The Meditation Research Institute aims to study the behavior and dynamics of brain during meditation. It also seeks to conduct scientific research on the psychological, neurological and physiological relations of consciousness. This is a part of the international research project by led by Dr. Arnaud Delorme from the University Paul Sabatier, France and Dr. Rael Cahn from the University of California San Diego and Irvine, U.S.A. The objective of the study is to compare attention and states of advanced meditators from Hindu and Buddhist traditions.

You can rest assured of quality education in meditation being imparted here as well-established and scientifically proven, effective methods of ‘dhyan’ will be taught here. Its workshop on silence meditation is another remarkable offering wherein students are taught to remain silent for days, not just hours.

Check out more about this interesting meditation school in Rishikesh at…

Virpur Khurd, Virbhadra Road,
P.O. Pashulok,
Rishikesh Uttarakhand 249 203, India
Contact number: 91 (0135) 2450093;91 (0135) 2450831
email: dhyanagurukulam@gmail.com

3/12. Shree Mahesh Heritage Meditation School

Established by Baba Shree Mahesh in Rishikesh, this mediation center teaches ‘dhyaan’ in the Vedic way. Vedic meditation is a gateway to knowing the true self, healing body and mind using the meditative energies and achieving balanced lifestyle.

The institute conducts courses for beginners and also trains the teachers. It offers three residential programs of 100 hr, 200 hr and 300 hr duration. The 100 hr program is for those who are initiating into mediation. The 200 hr and 300 hr programs are for teachers. Retreats are also organized for the students.

These courses invariably involve learning of meditation philosophy, hand postures, sitting postures, chakra cleansing and energy balancing, mantra chanting, knowledge of anatomy and physiology and ways of meditating to reach higher levels of awakening.

153/4, Gayatri Resorts Lane,
Tapovan, Rishikesh – India
Contact number: +91-7088169119
email: shreemaheshheritage@gmail.com

4/12. Osho Ganga Dham Ashram

Based on teachings of spiritual guru Osho Rajeesh, this center offers personal transformation courses through different meditation techniques. As many readers would be familiar, Osho was a great proponent of meditation as a way of life. He believed in achieving such a meditative state which would remain even as we carry out daily tasks.

The practices of meditation given by him, such as Dynamic Mediation (to release stress and suppressed emotions), Dance Meditation (practiced in different styles, such as Natraj dancing, kirtan, stop dance, sufi whirling, etc), Kundalini Meditation and the Evening Satsang. Every person in the class goes through this daily routine session. Besides these daily sessions at the Ashram, the Meditations camps of some days are also organized from time to time.

Jaanaki cottage, Lease No-52,
Badrinath road, Brahmpuri,
Rishikesh, Uttarakhand.
Contact number: +91-9258160729; +91-9149323698
email: info@oshogangadham.org

5/12. Mantra Yoga & Meditation School

The Mantra Yoga & Meditation School in Rishikesh is one of the leading schools in meditation. It is conveniently situated in this gifted city in serene and cool environs of the Himalayas. The center offers a 200 hr certification course in Meditation Techniques. This is a 28 day course which involves practicing about 8 hrs a day. This is in addition to a 200 hr course combined yoga and meditation TTC.

It is comprehensive and quite immersive course which involves teaching 50 yoga asanas in hatha and ashtanga styles and meditation methods of mindfulness, vedic japa, transcendental, Anapanasatiyog Buddhist, vipassana, kundalini, raj yog, chakra, third eye, samatha and sufi mediation.

This exclusive course on mediation is open for all, beginners or teachers…

Village Ghugtayni Road,
Upper Tapovan,
Rishikesh,Uttrakhand 249192 India
Contact number: 919958672399; +919599829506
email: mantrayogmeditation@gmail.com

6/12. Osho Vision Rishikesh

Osho Vision Rishikesh was set up Ma Gyan Jyoti in Rishikesh with the objective of spreading Osho’s way of meditation and self-awareness. Osho Rajneesh has been one of those spiritual gurus of India who believed in meditation as a way of being one with the god. He developed unique techniques of meditation which are taught and practiced in Osho Vision center in Rishikesh. Ma Gyan Jyoti has herself been an Osho Sanyasi in Pune where she learnt these techniques.

One of the key features of the program is the emphasis laid on freedom, breaking free from all bonds of world. This center offers residential program in meditation which includes daily meditations, white robe gathering and meditation camps on weekly basis. Yoga sessions are also offered as a part of the course.

The centers different rooms and delicious meals during the duration of meditation course.

Upside street,
opposite SBI Bank, Tapovan,
Rishikesh, Uttarakhand 249192
Contact number: +91 7017093118
email: maagyanjyoti@gmail.com

7/12. Maharishi Transcendental Meditation Center

Transcendental Meditation has been made popular in modern times by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi whose ashram was also visited by the famous music band The Beatles. He was the first to conduct a teacher training course in this form of meditation way back in 1961, having invented this style in 1955.

This style of meditation basically involves sitting at ease in any pose and silently chanting a mantra without involving any effort whatsoever.

The center conducts sessions of transcendental meditation for the beginners as also for those who already have exposure in this field.

The beneficial effects of this meditation in lowering stress and anxiety, improving heart health and normalizing blood pressure along with many other benefits associated with mental health have been scientifically proven.

Mahila Dhyan Vidya Peeth,
Tapovan, near Dewa Retreat,
Rishikesh, Uttarakhand 249192
Contact number: 98185 81939; 91-8800345408
email: info@indiatm.org

8/12. Satyam Shivam Sundaram Meditation School

One of the foremost centers for learning meditation in Rishikesh is the Satyam Shivam Sundaram Meditation School which was set up by Shiva Girish. The center offers a number of teacher training courses for those who wish to be a teacher of meditation. Active and passive meditation techniques form part of the meditation sessions. There are 50 hr, 100 hr online meditation classes as well.

The center abides by the age-old tested and scientifically proven methods of meditation. These include the chakra healing meditation, happiness blissfulness meditation and other forms.

The benefit of these courses and classes in meditation is that attain inner peace and remove internal turbulence of thoughts which lead to stress and anxiety. These help in being more realistic in life and lead a happy lifestyle.

Regular courses are supplemented by meditation camps and workshops organized from time to time. There are classes held for children as well as internship programs for the new aspirants.

Behind Parmarth Niketan,
Ram Jhula, Rishikesh,
Uttarakhand, 249304 INDIA
Contact number: +917888206883
email: satyamshivamsundaram2@gmail.com

9/12. World Peace Yoga School

World Peace Yoga School is a multi-discipline yoga and meditation center set up by Yogi Vishnu Panigrahi who had himself been on the spiritual journey, helping the poor and ill people ever since his childhood. He met many spiritual gurus and grew under their tutelage, notable among them being Swami Hari, Shri Mauni Babaji, Swami Shankarananda ji and Swami Veda Bharati. He also taught at Swami Rama Institute of Meditation and Inter-faith studies.

One of the courses taught at this center is that of Meditation. It is a 200 hr Yoga Alliance registered course in Meditation and Yoga Nidra Teacher Training. The course includes the ways of sitting and other body postures, breathing and relaxing and preparing the body for yoga nidra. Dynamic and dancing methods are also included in the class. Focusing the mind on chakras and the kundalini meditation methods are also taught. Gyana yoga meditation using Sohum and meditation anatomy also forms part of the curriculum. History, philosophy and a brief introduction of various yoga gurus is also given.

Here you will learn about the five levels of meditation-physical, mental, energy, emotional and spiritual.

This is a residential teacher’s training course under which non-a/c accommodation and nutritious vegetarian food is provided.

Tapovan Resort,
Laxman Jhula,
Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India.
Contact number: +91-9105127694
email: worldpeaceyogaindia@gmail.com

10/12. Dev OM Meditation & Happiness Commune

Master Dev OM is the founder of this meditation center. Before venturing on the path of spirituality in 2003, he was a networking engineer, had Masters in IT and was running software exports business. He spent 6 years to attain self-awareness and achieve the Oneness. He has invented the techniques of “Mindfulness with Light Meditation” and the “Circle of Light Spiritual Phenomena” along with various unique methods of guided meditation and tools of self-discovery.

The course in mindfulness and meditation in his center is aimed to develop physical, mental, emotional and spiritual growth of a person. The training provided in the course is aimed at understanding of meditation and being experts in different meditation techniques. The course also teaches how to be aware of the meditative energies and use these to increase wellbeing and inner peace.

The meditation teacher training course is of 100 hr. duration and it covers dynamic active meditation, chakra healing, advaita vedanata and vigyan bhairav tantra meditation techniques.

The Lily Resort,
Balaknath Temple Road,
Tapovan, Rishikesh, India
Contact number: +91 9971608310
email: dev@devom.org

11/12. Mimamsa Yogshala

Mimamsa Yogshala is an endeavor to bring peace, silence and bliss to humans and to world at large. Meditation helps to bring peace to mind, to have higher concentration while working, be more positive and to give strength to navigate through the difficult times.

It offers course in meditation which is meant for those who want to be teachers in meditation. The Meditation teaching course aims to make you masters in different meditation techniques.

The methods of meditation taught here are chakra, kundalini, yog nidra, nada yoga, tratak and mindfulness meditations. These methods include relaxing, light, laughter, mantra, silence, satsang, kirtan, Om chanting, japa-ajapa and discourses from Vedas and Bhagwat Geeta.

One of the courses is of Osho Meditation wherein the meditation techniques of spiritual guru Osho Rajneesh are taught. This is one of the most immersive courses in Osho Mediation in Rishikesh.

Near Post Office Laxman Jhulla,
Near Pyramid Cafe,
Rishikesh, India – 249302
Contact number: +91-9837021403
email: mimamsayogshala@gmail.com, book@mimamsayogshala.com

12/12. Art of Living Foundation

The Art of Living Foundation was set up Sri Sri Ravi Shankar as a center for promoting inner peace and wellbeing, and through it, promoting world peace. It has many centers around the world, including India, where trained teachers teach breathing techniques and meditation courses.

It has a center in Rishikesh where it conducts classes in Sahaj Yoga Meditation. The center holds meditation courses and classes in Rishikesh from time to time in its ashram in the city.

Veda Vignan Maha Vidya Peeth,
Purani Sheesham Jhadi, Rishikesh
Contact number: +91-9927991075
email: ashram.rishikesh@vvmvp.org

This is just an inductive list of the Meditation Teacher Training Courses at Rishikesh and some of the best Meditation Ashrams. Please do your due diligence before enrolling into any of the Meditation TTC, YTTC, programs, retreats at these meditation ashrams.