Ram Jhula, Rishikesh
monument · 592 m away
temple28 min from Rishikesh
Parmarth Niketan, Rishikesh
Parmarth Niketan, the riverside ashram at Swargashram founded in 1942, open to all visitors and known for its sunset Ganga aarti and a Shiva statue.
What it is
Parmarth Niketan is an ashram on the Ganges at Swargashram, the east-bank neighbourhood by the Ram Jhula, in Rishikesh. Wikipedia says it was founded in 1942 and is run by a trust registered in 1962. It runs daily yoga, meditation and prayer sessions, and its article describes it as open to all visitors. The ghat and its sunset aarti are what most day visitors come for.
Photos: Billjones94 (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Billjones94 (CC BY-SA 4.0) — via Wikimedia Commons, resized.
Getting there
It is about 14.1 km and 28 minutes by road from the centre of Rishikesh on our routing, because the river separates the two banks. Wikipedia reports that the Ram Jhula, the usual walk-in, was closed completely by 2025, so ask your hotel how to reach Swargashram that day: by road around the river or by another crossing.
The visit
Go in the late afternoon. The ghat steps fill at dusk for the aarti, a fire ritual with music, and a white Shiva statue stands on the river bank by the steps. Our pictures show the entrance arch and gardens in daylight and the ghat crowded at dusk. Wikipedia mentions, with the ashram as its source, that the place holds sessions and camps on yoga, meditation and Ayurveda; we have no verified timetable, fees or accommodation terms, so ask at the gate.
Wikipedia puts the Rishikesh Ganga aarti at Triveni Ghat, and Parmarth Niketan holds its own, so ask in town which ghat suits your evening.
When to go
October to March is cooler for the walk, and the evening aarti runs through the year. See when to visit Rishikesh.
Around it
Ram Jhula is the bridge beside it, and Lakshman Jhula is upriver. The one-day plan ends the day here at dusk, and the two-day plan does too.
Plans that include this
All 2 plans that stop here →
Day plan · First visitTemples & heritage
One day in Rishikesh — Beatles Ashram, Lakshman Jhula and the evening aarti
A one-day Rishikesh plan: the ruined Beatles Ashram in the morning, the Lakshman Jhula bank after lunch and the sunset aarti at Parmarth Niketan. Free to copy.
Best Jan–Mar · Oct–Dec
See the plan →
1 night · 2 days · First visitTemples & heritage
Two days in Rishikesh — the bridges, the ghats and Neelkanth Mahadev
A two-day Rishikesh plan: the Beatles Ashram, both bridges and the Parmarth Niketan aarti on day one, then the Neelkanth Mahadev temple. Free to copy.
Best Jan–Mar · Oct–Dec
See the plan →Nearby places
Questions people ask
What is Parmarth Niketan?
A large ashram on the Ganges at Swargashram, founded in 1942 by Swami Shukdevanandji Maharaj and run by a registered trust. Wikipedia says it offers yoga, meditation and prayer programmes and is open to visitors of every nationality, religion and caste. It also has gardens and a ghat on the river.
What happens at the Ganga aarti?
A fire ritual with music and offerings, held at dusk on the river steps. Wikipedia says Rishikesh's Ganga aarti is performed at Triveni Ghat, and its article on the ashram says the ashram holds one at sunset on its own ghat, attended by hundreds of visitors. Dusk times change through the year, so ask for today's.
How do you reach it?
It is at Swargashram on the east bank, by the Ram Jhula, about 14.1 km and 28 minutes by road from the centre of Rishikesh on our routing. Wikipedia reports that the Ram Jhula was closed completely by 2025, so confirm how to cross on the day, by road or another bridge.