Gita Bhavan, Rishikesh

Geeta Bhawan is a large complex which is located at the banks of the holy river ‘Ganga’ in Swargashram (Rishikesh). The huge complex of Geeta Bhawan has several discourse halls along with over 1000 rooms for the comfortable stay of devotees which are free of cost. This is a major place for devotees from far away places as they get a free stay during their holy dip in the river Ganga by listening to various discourses and meditation.
According to some devotees, his place has always been the main attraction of Rishikesh. They address it as a must-visit site for every tourist or pilgrimage. Getting a room here is however very difficult at times. However, the overall environment makes it good for meditation. Every year many people from all over India come to visit Gita Bhavan Ashram.

Attraction

Rishikesh itself is a very beautiful place. Geeta bhawan not providing entirely free food and accommodation. This ashram is mainly a popular place to visit as it offers accommodation at zero or low prices to pilgrims. You can have your lunch here at the ‘bhojanalay’. According to many reviews, they serve very good and simple vegetarian food at a reasonable price (INR 50 per person).
Rishikesh likewise comprises ‘Laxmi Narayan Temple‘, a Book Shop (books that are printed by Gita Press), a Cloth Store, a few Ayurvedic Medicine shops, and substantial space for Satsang (talks). That is why tourists are attracted to this place. However, during the mid-year (April to June) Satsang programs are frequently composed for a substantial number of individuals. Folks from most parts of India come here to visit the heavenly river Ganges, for the Satsang (talks) and contemplation. One of the famous attractions of this place is the centuries-old ‘Banyan Tree’. It has been a site for penance of various renowned saints including ‘Swami Ramtirth’.

History

Geeta Bhawan is one of the most ancient shrine complexes in Rishikesh. The walls of the shrine bear quotes written from the well-known epics ‘Mahabharata‘ and ‘Ramayana‘. There is a meditation hall inside the complex where the devotees usually assemble to say their prayers. Swami ‘Sivananda founded this Ashram in 1936, and now, it is home to a variety of activities.
But the Ashram is renowned as an important institution that preserves ‘Hindu literature’ since it houses the Gita, which symbolizes the Hindu Vedas and epics (Mahabharata and Ramayana). Gita Bhawan is one of the biggest and most famous ashrams in Rishikesh. Gita Bhawan Ashram is a ‘piece of Gita Press’ which is an outstanding distribution house for Hindu Religious Books, for example, ‘Gita’, ‘Ramayana’, and ‘Upnishads‘ are sold by Gita Press. They print books in numerous languages, for example, English, Hindi, Sanskrit, Tamil, Gujarati, Bangla, Marathi, Oriya, Kannada, Telugu, and numerous other local dialects in India.

Inside/Outside Views

Gita Bhawan Ashram is situated in the Swargashram region of Rishikesh.
The Bhawan can accommodate more than 2000 devotees and also provides them free stays at once. Although Bhawan remains crowded almost all round year, the best time to visit is during summer for the ‘day-long Satsang programs’ organized by the Management.

There is a meditation hall inside the complex where the devotees assemble to say their prayers. The Ayurvedic department prepares medicines using the herbs from the Himalayas as well as water from the River Ganga. The Ayurvedic medicines are given by the dispensary which are generally free of cost. They are available for sale also. The area around along with the trees and the woods surrounding the bank of the river Ganga offers many serene beauty to engage in prayer and meditation. The centuries-old ‘Banyan Tree’ is also one of the attractions of this place. The two bathing ghats in front of Geeta Bhavan 1 and Gita Bhavan 3 allow the devotees to take a holy dip in the Ganges river.

Opening Hours

Tuesday 4 AM–8 PM

Wednesday 4 AM–8 PM

Thursday 4 AM–8 PM

Friday 4 AM–8 PM

Saturday 4 AM–8 PM

Sunday Closed

Monday 4 AM–8 PM

Lunch time:

Tuesday 11 AM–12:30 PM

Wednesday 11 AM–12:30 PM

Thursday 11 AM–12:30 PM

Friday 11 AM–12:30 PM

Saturday 11 AM–12:30 PM

Sunday 11 AM–12:30 PM

Monday 11 AM–12:30 PM

Dinner time:

Tuesday 7–8:30 PM

Wednesday 7–8:30 PM

Thursday 7–8:30 PM

Friday 7–8:30 PM

Saturday 7–8:30 PM

Sunday 7–8:30 PM

Monday 7–8:30 PM

How to Reach

By road: The Geeta Bhavan Ashram is situated in Rishikesh’s Swarg Ashram area. From the busy area of Rishikesh, Gita Bhavan is only 16 km away. Rishikesh is well connected with other major cities of the country. And from Rishikesh, you will get local transport to reach the site. However, from Ram Jhula, one may get here by foot or by using a bike rickshaw.

By air: The closest airport, ‘Jolly Grant Airport’, is only 31 kilometers away from this area which is in Dehradun. Apart from that, there are airports in Delhi or Lucknow to reach Dehradun by flight. From the airport, you can easily get local transport to reach the site.

By train: The closest railway station from Gita Bhavan is 14 km away at the ‘Rishikesh railway station’. From the station, you will get local transport.

FAQ