Sanatani Directory · Ashram
शिवानन्द आश्रम
Sivananda Ashram
Parichay · Introduction
In one line
On the banks of the Ganga in Rishikesh, founded by Swami Sivananda Saraswati as the headquarters of the Divine Life Society.
Itihaas · History
How this place came to be
Founded in 1936 by Swami Sivananda Saraswati on the banks of the Ganga in Rishikesh. Sivananda — a physician turned Dashanami sannyasi — taught a synthesis of karma yoga (selfless service), bhakti yoga (devotion), raja yoga (meditation) and jnana yoga (knowledge), holding that no single path was superior. He wrote over 300 books on yoga, vedanta and practical spirituality during his life at the ashram.
The Divine Life Society (DLS), founded the same year, became the institutional vehicle for his teaching. Generations of monks who studied here went on to found major traditions of their own — Swami Chinmayananda (Chinmaya Mission), Swami Satchidananda (Integral Yoga), Swami Vishnudevananda (International Sivananda Yoga centres). The ashram continues as a working monastery and a destination for serious sadhakas; it remains one of the more reserved and academically rigorous yoga ashrams in Rishikesh, distinct from the commercial yoga industry that has grown around it.
Karya · Day-to-day
What happens here
- ·Pre-dawn meditation and Bhagavad Gita study (4–6 AM)
- ·Hatha yoga, pranayama and pranayama classes for visitors
- ·Library and publication division — over 300 books in print
- ·Resident monastic community (sannyasis & brahmacharis)
- ·Free Ayurvedic dispensary and eye hospital for locals
Karyakram · Programmes
What you can take part in
Yoga Vedanta Forest Academy (residential courses for serious students)
Sadhana Weeks for intensive practice
Annual Sannyas Diksha (only for committed candidates)
Aavas · Stay
If you want to visit
Visitors may apply for a residential stay of two weeks to several months, subject to an application process and adherence to ashram discipline (no smoking, no alcohol, vegetarian diet, daily seva, mandatory satsang attendance). Day visitors welcome for classes and satsang.
Utsav · Calendar
What to come for
Vishesh · Notable
Worth knowing
- Author Swami Sivananda wrote over 300 books on yoga and Vedanta from this ashram
- Birthplace of Yoga of Synthesis — karma, bhakti, raja, jnana yoga taught as one whole
- Trained generations of monks who went on to found their own major traditions
- Free Ayurvedic dispensary and eye hospital have served Rishikesh locals for over 80 years