Ashrams are typically quiet places away from populated areas, where people can pursue spiritual and yogic disciplines. The area on the eastern side of river Ganges, between Ganges and Shivalik hills in Rishikesh is called swarga ashram. It has many ashrams including Swarga Ashram, Parmarth Niketan, Gita Bhawan, Vanprastha ashram, Beatles Ashram. In the olden days, there was only one bridge to cross Ganges from west to east. It was famous as laxman Jhula. Later on, Ram Jhula bridge was added in 1986 and now there is a third one  added in 2020 known as Janki Jhula. These bridges have made access to Swarga ashram area convenient and easy.

The swarg ashram area has been my favorite for over 50 years. I like quietude and these ashrams are perfect places for that. Also I like to watch Ganges flowing swiftly and those ashrams provide perfect sight of that. Watching the Ganges swiftly flowing reminds me that life has to be on the move.

This area has Gita Press, Gorakhpur, book shop and lots of eating place also. It is a spiritual world with facilities of modern life. So, it is a great family destination also. I have been taking my kids there basically to introduce them to the joy of living in the lap of nature. The Trek to Neel Kanth Mahadev temple also begins from there. On way to Neel Kanth Mahadev temple is a mauni baba kutiya. Mauni means who doesn’t speak. Mauni baba  has a three-level underground cave like kutiya (residence) to protect him from wild animals of Raja ji National Park.

In November 2024, I visited swarga ashram area and stayed for 4 nights at Ved Niketan ashram.

Ved Niketan is located just across Janki jhula. To reach there, one may take national highway 7 and then go across Janki jhula. I have however always preferred to cross Ganges at ‘Beraj ‘and travel through Raja ji national park. Life is good. You may hire one way taxi to directly reach Ved Niketan.

Once at Ved Niketan, you may check in, subject to room availability, at the rate of Rs 2000 per day per double bedroom. The room has all amenities except an electric kettle for tea and coffee. The room rent includes three meals a day. The Ashram is neat and clean and well-kept  greens and gardens.

At Ved Niketan, young children are taught vedas and adults are offered short term yoga programs.

Those children who are admitted for veda courses, live and  study there for 7 years. They complete 5 years primary education at their home place and then apply for admission at Ved Niketan. They are normally aimed to make career in astrology and Priesthood.

Ved Niketan was established by Vishwa Guru ji and his follower Swami Divyanand ji (Mata ji, Ms Santosh Bharti ji). After the death of founder Vishwa Guru ji, Ms Santosh Bharti ji has taken help from Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji to manage the ashram. Swami Vijayanand Sarswati ji currently looks after the management and administration of the Ashram. Indeed, more and more ashrams in that area are likely to seek professional management to continue running those ashrams after their founders are gone. It will not be out of place, if MBA programs start focusing on social, not- for- Profit Ashram management.

It is advisable that before landing there, you should check out availability of accommodation. The ashram admin may be reached at admin@vedniketan.org or by phone at 91-7668831879.

Two experiences I wish to share from Ved Niketan:

For taste, food has not to be too elaborate and complex. Simpler is tastier. (This I experienced having three simple vegetarian meals a day in the Ashram mess).

To readily memorize Sanskrit shloka (verse), you need to chant it 80 times. (This I learned from a young student of Vedas course at the Ashram. I was really amazed to hear the way a young student was chanting Sanskrit shlokas. I asked him, how do you memorize?  He said, our Acharya (teacher) chants a shlok twice and then makes us chant the same and then requires us to chant the shlok for 80 times.)

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