Ashram advice - Parmath

TabithaQuick

Hi there,

I've just stumbled on this website and have found the info to be so helpful. Hoping someone can be my guide here...

I am looking into Parmath Niketa in Rishikesh to stay for a month and am seeking an insight into this ashram for those that have been. I'm particularly interested in an intermediate style Raja yoga (intuitive), kirtins and chanting and wishing to cross a reputable Swami or guru. I want it all really!

Is Rishikesh really a western hotspot? I'm ideally wanting to get as much of an 'authentic', ashram experience although would like to encounter other travellers (in small amounts).

Is it worth staying in the ashram or in a hotel, where I can do the courses without being bound to the ashram? Pros and cons would be good...

When arriving in Delhi, is it best to have pre-arranged transport to the region?

ANY advice would be very much appreciated and alternatives to these plans would also be surely welcomed This is my first time to India, I'm on a mission and your experiences I'm sure would be very helpful.

Thank you so much in advance.

kullukid

Rishikesh is a Western hotspot, but it's also a Spiritual hotspot which is the reason it's so popular. The head of Parmarth Ashram Swami Chidanand Saraswati is very advanced,genuine & highly respected throughout the world, but He is not always in residence so you should check is itineray on the website.I know at the mo' He's just left for Tibet to do the Kailash Yatra.
Ashrams vary enormously so it's hard to say what an authentic Ashram is, everyone has different preconcieved ideas about what an Ashram is or should be. KK

TabithaQuick

Hi there, thank you so much for your email and advice.
As I'm going there on my own, would you have any recommendations of getting to Rishikesh from Delhi? i.e how much, pre-arrange etc? I will also try to suss out if the Swami is in town but the website doesn't have anything on it at the moment.

I will contact the Ashram direct but do you know if they have classes every day year round? I was thinking that I may rock on up and stay at a hotel, then using the facilities but am unsure at this stage.

Thanks again for all your insights KK.

Tabitha

kullukid

You don't have to stay at the Ashram to attend Yoga classes Look Here http://www.parmarth.com/yoga.html
There is an email contact add at the bottom of that page. A very nice place to stay is; http://www.bhandariswisscottage.com/index.asp
There is a very good restaurant in the garden.
Here's Pujya Swami's itinerary page it's not always up to date;http://www.parmarth.com/swamijisitinerary.html
I'm in contact with His closest Disciple who lives at the Ashram, so if you let me know what dates you want to go I can find out if He will be present,but I can't find out until after 16th Sept since She as also gone on Kailash Yatra.
To get to Rishikesh from Delhi takes 5hrs by train to Hardwar then 1hr by bus or train to Rishi. If you are staying in Delhi for a few days then you can book on arrival. If you want to book in advance then others on IM can assist, I never prebook trains myself.
Hari Om! KK

anandi

I believe there is a morning train from Delhi to Haridwar each day and from there you can take a taxi to the ashram. There are detailed directions on the parmarth website. Other choices are to take a bus to Haridwar or Rishikesh... or take a private taxi the whole way from Delhi if you have the money. It is actually not as expensive as you might think...
Swiss cottages, while a very beautiful place in Rishikesh are quite far away from the ashram area. If you want to stay out of the ashram but still want to be nearby, The Green Hotel, and the New Green Hotel (right behind the old green) and directly behind the ashram, offer easy access to anything that is going on inside. Even if you were to stay at the ashram itself, it is not one of those places that makes attendance mandatory. You can still come and go as you please. Nobody is going to care about what you do as long as you are in before the gate locks at night. You will certainly enjoy their evening kirtans on the ghats (banks of the ganga).. they are the best. If you stay at the Green hotel you can have the freedom of joining any of the ashram activities and finding your own yoga teacher among the multitude of options in Rishikesh. Even though it is a western hotspot it still retains many of the original yogic traditions. You will find what you are looking for although there are quite a few of scam artists there as well. I can recommend a good travel agent in Paharganj that can arrange a taxi for you if you want to go that route. You will love Rishikesh and it will all unfold once you get there.

Goran

I'd say bus is the best option from Delhi. You can go by train to Haridwar, and they have online booking which is much easier tan buying tickets in the station. But you than have to take a taxi/rickshaw to Rishikesh. However if you are alone and for the first time in India I would try to avoid such transportation unless it is prepaid until you get an idea about the prices or you will pay much more than necessary

Tourist buses are nice enough, usually not to crowded and they take you to Rishikesh (you will need the rickshaw to your place though, but you will probably be able to share it with other people from the bus). So If you are not planing to stay in Delhi more than necessary a good budget option would be to take a prepaid taxi on the airport (take the one outside the main gate on the right, not the one inside the building) to take you to the Paharganj area where a lot of budget hotels are and should not be a problem to find a place to stay. The train station is there and you have a lot of travel agencies to arrange for the bus. You can rest there for the night, and go to Rishikesh the next day (I'm not sure but if I remember correctly the buses are overnight, don't know for the train). Finding accommodation in Rishikesh ashram area is also not a problem, ashrams, hotels or apartments, whatever you like. If you are not sure just go to any place for a few days and than look around for what suits you best.

TabithaQuick

Hi KK, Anandi and Goran -
I'm finding that this choice to go to Rishikesh is truly a great one - thanks very much for your wonderful advice! It's been a long time since I've believed in the kindness of strangers and I'm getting excited as the stars, so to speak are aligning.

KK - I would appreciate you looking into when the Swami is in town as I would like to visit from mid October. I tried calling the ashram however got v confused at the intl call from Australia... I understand that they are all on Kailash Yatra but I'd love to book my flights in the next week or so. Thank you also for your accom advice, you have been so helpful!

Anandi - I feel much more confident just 'rocking up' and staying outside the ashram so thank you. Do you know - outside of the course times (eg - there is an intensive yoga course from Nov 2 - Nov 28) would there be regular classes to attend? Can I try a variety of ashrams? Where does one go about finding a yoga teacher (chatting to people, visiting different ashrams)? I will certainly check out the Green Hotel too.

Goran - I like your thinking about pre booking transport. Even though I'm usually fine travelling by myself and freestyling it, I would probably like to be assured that I can get there without too much negotiation or stress. Thank you!

Am so excited!!!

Tabitha

fsg

The Shatabdi train goes from ND Stn to Haridwar, leaving about 7am, its a smart train and you get breakfast in the price.

Book at Foreigners desk in ND Stn upstairs, it goes every day so should not be a problem booking , unless its an auspicious day for Ganga visiting

Once in Haridwar there are many share big autos which ply to Rishikesh

__________________
The British gave India bureaucracy..... India perfected it [Lord Desai]

kullukid

I'll let you know after 16th Sept, after Yatra. The train station in Hardwar is a 2min walk from the bus stand or there is a train service from Hardwar to Rishi, but if you can afford a taxi that would be easiest. Swiss Cottage is a nice 15min walk from Parmarth don't rule it out! How long do you intend to stay? KK

anandi

There should be a regular yoga class daily at Parmarth. There used to be an American teacher named Karen living there doing Iyengar style classes. It might have changed in the last 3 years since I've been there. There are many choices for daily yoga classes which you can all just drop in on. Right next door there was a daily yoga class at Ved Niketan, which also has some cool rooms facing the Ganga which you can look at if you are interested. It used to be that you could stay there with no commitment to follow the daily schedule like Parmarth. At certain times of the year there might even be yoga at the Green Hotel, and the Pink Hotel nearby. On the other side of the Ram Jhoola bridge,(near the parking lot), there are classes at Omkarananda Ashram in Iyengar style, supposedly quite good and tough. Rooms there are also nice, right on the Ganga, but there is a curfew I think. Down in Rishikesh town there is a place called the Yoga Study Centre. You can take one of those Vikram rickshaws there. An Iyengar style school run by Rudra Dev. You can also stay there in a beautiful hotel nearby called Centre for World Peace (or something - I forget) but the rooftop is amazing.

The last choice for yoga and ashrams is up at Laxman Jhoola bridge, (the other bridge up the river). There are alot of restaurants and shops there on the Ganga so its great to sit there and enjoy the view. Lots of Ashrams there as well to explore.

You can walk along the small riverfront path from Ram Jhoola to Laxman Jhoola. There are some small ashrams there and yoga places and places to chant.

There is another road which connects the 2 bridges which cars can go on. The other one is just a footpath. You can find some interesting things on that road as well.

You will find many people to chat with about classes and there will be flyers up all over which are advertising courses and teachers, indian and foreign. Be careful about 'false gurus' and scammers. Be careful when you walk from Laxman Jhoola further up to the waterfalls. That road is very lonely at points where it twists and turns. There have been a couple of very bad incidents there which are unsafe for women walking alone. One girl was brutally raped and beaten to death. And on Holi a few years ago when I was there, a man got stabbed a bunch of times while out for a walk along the banks of the Ganga. He survived. Although Rishikesh is a spiritual paradise, it is not without its dangers so be aware... and take care of yourself. Don't be too naive.

Staying at the Green Hotel or New Green Hotel is a perfect place to start out your journey and you can decide where to go from there. They have a great Italian restaurant there too. In Swargashram area there are some nice rooftop restaurants overlooking the Ganga. Over on the parking lot side there is a small place, basically on the side of the parking lot. I think it was called Mukti's. It used to be really good, especially where to find out about yoga courses. They have a lot of flyers there.

If you go in winter months make sure you bring some warm stuff !

The Swiss Cottage is a nice place, I agree. I have been to Rishikesh at least 7 times and I find myself drawn to the Swargashram area mostly, although I have stayed in many places there and liked most of them.

You will have a great time, no doubt... I might be back there myself in March for the yoga festival at Parmarth!

TabithaQuick

Hi KK - how are you? Would you have been in contact with the ashram as yet? Apologies for the push - I just can't wait to book my trip and yet I need to wait to see if the Swami is in town I feel. Perhaps I'll stay 4-8 weeks but I'm unsure at this stage. Thanks again

kullukid

Hi, I left a message for Sadhvi on her Facebook page,but She hasn't logged in yet. They only returned from Kailash yatra 2 days ago & are probably recovering. You can contact Sadhvi direct from the email at the bottom of this page http://www.parmarth.com/swamijisitinerary.html
Say you are a friend of Robert from UK, tell Her what dates you would like to visit & ask Her to confirm whether Swamiji will be present.
Om Shanti! KK

TabithaQuick

Hi there,

Finally I get to go! KK - I've found that Pujya Swamiji is in town for the majority of November and am excited that to meet him.

I wanted to ask though - how 'connected' is the town with internet? Are there ample internet cafes about?

Thanks again for all advice.

TQ