Yoga in Rishikesh, India

Straddled on the banks of the holy Ganges with the mystical Himalayas looking benevolently down at it, Rishikesh is undoubtedly the spiritual soul of India.

Sipping on your early morning chai, you see the sun tentatively peeking over the horizon, its rays reflected in the Ganges, and you know you are in the right place to learn yoga in India. Innumerable ashrams dot the city, each teaching a different style of yoga and meditation.

Rishikesh is glorious any time of the year, but February to mid-May; and September to June are the ideal periods. Monsoons have a charm of their own here, especially as you get to see the Ganga in its uproarious beauty. The first week of March is an exciting time in Rishikesh, as The International Yoga Festival is celebrated with a lot of pomp.

Rishikesh located at a very spiritually strategic location. It is located in the foothills of the most ancient Himalayan range known as Shivalik range. It is known as a gateway to the higher Himalayas. Rishikesh is situated enroute to the most auspicious and important religious and spiritual pilgrim centres for Hindus and Sikh traditions. For many pilgrims this is a resting station where they stay before embarking on their pilgrimage to the centres located in the higher Himalayas.

Rishikesh has managed to acquire the status of a spiritual destination of the highest standing, because of its innumerable yoga schools, meditation centres, ashrams and places of worship. You will find all kinds of yoga schools in this town, ranging from basic introductory classes to intense yoga training courses where you are required to devote at least a couple of years, learning the most profound and intricate yoga techniques and philosophies. Whether you are interested in learning Ashtanga, Hatha, Iyengar, Vinyasa or Vedic style of yoga, heading to Rishikesh is a fabulous idea.

The historical records mention that some pilgrims used to stay at Rishikesh as a resting place before moving onwards to the higher mountains for the pilgrimage while a larger number used to visit Rishikesh as the original destination and visited various sites between Rishikesh and Lakshman Jhula before returning. Lately in recent decades due to influx of travellers from different cultures and background, Rishikesh has also become popular as a tourist destination. As a result, besides many Yoga and Spiritual centres, one may find different recreational activities and events such as rafting, bungee jumping, camping, jungle safari etc.

Rishikesh is one of the most spiritually enchanting destinations in the world, and practising or learning meditation in this town is considered holy.  Many seekers of spirituality claim that Rishikesh is the best place in India to explore your inner peace and divinity.

Rishikesh hosts many different yoga centres which offer yoga courses/classes from various spiritual traditions in India. Most of the centres in Rishikesh offer yoga courses accredited to Yoga Alliance, USA. You may apply for 200, 300 or 500-hours courses on their websites. Though before applying for the any of these courses, we suggest to check the quality of teachers, their experiences and facilities provided by the respective centres. Course like traditional Hatha Yoga, Hatha Vinyasa Yoga, Astanga Yoga and Kundalini Yoga are some of the most popular courses being offered by these centres.

In Rishikesh, there are also very traditional ashrams like Sivananda Ashram (The Divine Life Society) which you may chose if interested in exploring a spiritual dimension of yogic life.

Rishikesh is one of the most spiritually enchanting destinations in the world, and practising or learning meditation in this town is considered holy.  Many seekers of spirituality claim that Rishikesh is the best place in India to explore your inner peace and divinity.

The historical records mention that some pilgrims used to stay at Rishikesh as a resting place before moving onwards to the higher mountains for the pilgrimage while a larger number used to visit Rishikesh as the original destination and visited various sites between Rishikesh and Lakshman Jhula before returning. Lately in recent decades due to influx of travellers from different cultures and background, Rishikesh has also become popular as a tourist destination. As a result, besides many Yoga and Spiritual centres, one may find different recreational activities and events such as rafting, bungee jumping, camping, jungle safari etc.

There are many Rishikesh places, including Triveni Ghat, the Laxman Jhula, and the Beatles Ashram. For the adventurous, many places offer exciting adventure sports such as river rafting or bungee jumping.

Delicious street food such as Samosas, Aloo Puri, Chole Bhature, Pani-Puri, and Dosas make Rishikesh a gastronomes delight. The perfect place to grab an Indian thali is Chotiwala, a short walk from the Ram Jhula.

The beauty of the Diyas, their glow reflected in the Ganges River, is a magical experience not to be missed.

Camping on the banks of the Ganges is a spiritual experience unlike any other.

The exhilaration of gliding through the air on a cable is surreal, especially when there is a breathtaking view below.