Best Ashrams in Delhi for Meditation and Reflection
The best ashrams in Delhi are places of spiritual refuge and reflection, usually where a guru (spiritual teacher) lives. Traditionally, ashrams were built in remote locations, away from communities but today ashrams are everywhere, including India’s capital city. I live in Delhi and have personally visited each of these. If you are ready to look within, these are the best ashrams in Delhi.
Spirituality is part of daily life for most Indians and ashrams are not the only places for quiet meditation and reflection. Delhi has many spiritual and unique temples for contemplation and prayer.
If you are in a hurry, here’s a quick list of the very best ashrams in Delhi:
Sri Aurobindo Ashram Delhi – follows teachings of the Mother, offers workshops and yoga classes on a drop in basis
Zorba the Buddha – popular ‘soft’ or ‘tourist’ ashram experience with residence and day programs
Isha Yoga Centre, New Delhi – follows teachings of Sadhguru, large and serene campus
The Best Ashrams in Delhi for Meditation and Reflection
These ashrams in Delhi offer retreats to visitors. Most of these are communities which follow the teachings of a particular guru – many visitors are disciples or followers. An ashram stay can be challenging in some ways, but the experience and skills learned through meditation and yoga can transform your life.
1. Sri Aurobindo Ashram Delhi
Sri Aurobindo Ashram Delhi is one of the better known and established ashrams in Delhi. It was built in 1956 in memory of Sri Aurobindo, the famous Indian poet, yogi and nationalist.
The ashram follows the teachings of the Mother and Sri Aurobindo. It’s an intensely spiritual ashram, ideal for devotees and anyone wishing to seek truth from within. It has limited accommodation for those willing to participate in the daily activities.
The ashram does offer many workshops open to the public, yoga classes and yoga teacher training (ideal if you are staying in the area). There’s also an Ayurvedic health centre, dining hall, library and shop which visitors can use.
- Visiting Hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, daily
- Gate No.6, Sri Aurobindo Lane, Sri Aurobindo Marg, Delhi
- http://www.sriaurobindoashram.net
2. Zorba the Buddha
This ashram is located just on the outskirts of Delhi on a lovely, large property. Zorba the Buddha is really more of an open faith cultural centre which hosts numerous programs like daily meditation sessions, yoga and pottery classes.
Apart from their day programs and drop in classes, they offer a rest and rejuvenation staycation and artist in residence program for longer stays. Unlike other ashrams that follow a strict schedule, the events at Zorba the Buddha are optional.
During my visit I saw several rooms and they looked very comfortable for an ashram, they even had AC. There’s decent wifi and smoking is permitted in designated areas. If you’re new to the ashram experience and/or meditation, this is a great option.
Visitors are welcome to enjoy the peaceful grounds, but there is a INR 200 fee per person.
- Visiting Hours: 10:00 am to 7:30 pm, daily
- 7 Tropical Drive, Mehrauli-Gurgaon Road, Ghitorni, Delhi
- https://zorbathebuddha.org
3. Isha Yoga Centre, New Delhi
Isha Foundation was started by the charismatic guru, Sadhguru in 1992 and now has yoga centres all over the world. One of the main centres is located in Delhi.
The Isha Yoga Center, New Delhi offers courses on meditation, yoga and inner engineering – a comprehensive, multi-day course based on the science of yoga to bring about personal growth.
The ashram is on a lovely, serene campus. In fact, it’s hard to believe it’s in Delhi, it is so quiet. Sadhguru has a massive following, about 11 million people worldwide, and many devotees come here for a few hours to meditate and pray at the temple.
- Visiting Hours: 7:00 am to 11:00 am & 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm, daily
- 4 Osho Drive, Mandi Gaon Road, Gadaipur, Mehrauli, Delhi
- https://isha.sadhguru.org/in/en
4. Ramakrishna Mission Delhi
Ramakrishna Mission Delhi is part of the worldwide Ramakrishna Mission, a spiritual and philanthropic organization founded by Swami Vivekananda in 1897.
The ashram is open to all, but it really is intended for serious devotees – they don’t cater to foreign guests or offer yoga courses. In fact, this ashram is the training campus for monks of this order.
The ashram hosts a number of educational courses and lectures throughout the year, including weekly talks on the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna (in English), and weekend spiritual retreats. They have an excellent bookstore with many publications in English.
- Visiting Hours: 5:00 am to 12:00 pm & 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm (April – September); 3:30 pm to 8:30 pm (October – March), daily
- Ramakrishna Ashram Marg, Delhi
- https://rkmdelhi.org
5. Yogoda Satsanga Sakha Ashram, Noida
This ashram is part of the Yogoda Satsanga Society of India, founded by Paramahansa Yogananda, who is widely credited with popularizing yoga in the West. Paramahansa Yogananda wrote the spiritual classic “Autobiography of a Yogi,” famously the only book Steve Jobs downloaded onto his iPad.
This ashram is located just outside of Delhi, in the suburb of Noida. It offers many workshops, mediation sessions, yoga lessons and classes on the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda. There are group meditation sessions each morning and evening.
Several times a year the ashram hosts 3-5 day retreats, and has segregated accommodation and a dining hall for guests. Silence in encouraged at this ashram. Visitors must be members of the Yogoda Satsanga Society to stay in the guest accommodations.
- Visiting Hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, daily
- Paramahansa Yogananda Marg, B-4, Sector–62, Noida
- https://noida.ysskendra.org/article/view/237
6. Neem Karoli Baba Ashram
This ashram is dedicated to Neem Karoli Baba (also known as Maharajji), a devotee of Lord Hanuman.
The Delhi ashram has morning and evening aartis and a daily satsanga, where devotees chant and meditate together. Foreigners are permitted to stay from time to time, but must apply far in advance and provide a letter of introduction. The ashram will consider anyone that is seriously seeking to deepen their spiritual practice.
Neem Karoli Baba believed in seva (the service of others), and the ashram oversees a number of environmental initiatives and social projects for the underprivileged.
- Visiting Hours: all day, except between 12:00 pm and 4:00 pm when the temples are closed, daily
- Address: Mandi Road, Jaunapur Village, Mehrauli, Delhi
- https://maharajji.love/delhi-ashram
7. Dhamma Sota – Vipassana Meditation Centre
This ashram located just outside of Delhi offers 10-day residential courses in Vipassana meditation. Vipassana meditation is the technique practiced by Buddha over 2,500 years ago. It involves observing your thoughts and emotions as they are, without judging or dwelling on them.
A Vipassana meditation retreat is not going to be for everyone. It is 10 days of silence with many hours of meditation each day. It can be difficult (meditating for 8 hours a day can be physically uncomfortable, as well as mentally challenging), but also extremely transformative.
Dhamma Sota offers two retreats each month. They have a vegetarian dining hall and single occupancy rooms with attached bathrooms. There is no charge for a Vipassana retreat, but past student are encouraged to donate. It takes about an hour to travel to Dhamma Sota from South Delhi.
- Ballabhgarh Sohna Road, Village Rahaka, Sohna Haryana
- https://sota.dhamma.org/en
Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Ashrams in Delhi
Is an ashram a yoga retreat?
While yoga is almost always part of an ashram experience, the main purpose of an ashram is to study and practice meditation, and deepen one’s spiritual awareness. It is not a yoga retreat. Also, the Indian concept of yoga is not the same as in the West. Yoga is a way of living in India, and detachment from material things is a main concept. In the West people usually consider yoga a form of exercise.
If you are mainly interested in yoga, there are excellent yoga studios in South Delhi.
Is an ashram a type of hotel?
No, ashrams are not hotels. Only people who are serious about seeking deeper spiritual meaning and connection under the guidance of a teacher should stay in an ashram. An ashram is an opportunity to step back into a simpler way of life within the safety of the community.
If an ashram stay is not for you, Delhi has many excellent hotels for every budget.
What ashrams are famous in Delhi?
The best known ashrams in Delhi are Sri Aurobindo Ashram Delhi, Zorba the Buddha and the Isha Yoga Centre, New Delhi.
What is the cost of staying at an ashram in Delhi?
Each ashram is different and costs can vary greatly. Some ashrams do not charge a fee, while others charge over US $50/day. Contact the ashram directly to confirm costs (don’t rely on the information on their website, it may be out of date). Some ashrams charge more for foreign visitors.
What are the benefits of staying at an ashram?
Well, it’s healthy – not just for your body, but for your mind! Staying in an ashram offers you an opportunity to step away from your schedule and problems to focus on a simpler way of life. Ashrams give you the space to look inward, and deepen your spiritual practice within the safety of a community.
Most ashrams have an early to bed and early to rise schedule, and serve vegetarian food. There is no alcohol and often no smoking. It’s a healthy lifestyle and you’ll benefit from it, even if it’s just for a few days.
What is the dress code of an ashram?
Many ashrams have dress codes. The best type of clothing to wear is modest, loose and casual; something that covers shoulders, cleavage, belly and knees. Tight yoga pants, shorts, tank tops, belly shirts, etc. are not appropriate. Some ashrams request you wear clothes of a certain colour – check ahead with the ashram.
What is the daily routine in an ashram?
While schedules vary depending on the ashram, these things are common:
- get up at dawn and go to bed around 9:00 pm
- morning yoga and meditation sessions
- seva (community service)
- silent hours
- satsangas (spiritual talks given by the teacher/guru to the community)
- vegetarian meals
- evening yoga and meditation sessions
How do I choose an ashram in Delhi?
Ashrams can vary greatly in terms of what they offer and what they expect from guests. Read the ashram’s information very carefully, and contact them with questions. Visit the ashram first before committing to a longer stay. Ask about the routine, the accommodation and food.
What should I consider before staying in an ashram in Delhi?
- there may not be internet
- food is vegetarian
- accommodation is usually shared and segregated (couples may not be permitted to stay in the same room)
- facilities can be basic
- alcohol, drugs and sometimes smoking are not allowed
- you will have to perform seva, some kind of service by helping out at the ashram
The Wrap-Up on the Best Ashrams in Delhi for Meditation and Reflection
Staying in an ashram is not for everyone, but if you are a spiritual seeker it can be a very rewarding experience. Many people return every year to the ashram they have become involved with. It’s a way to slow down and recharge your spiritual and emotional batteries.
Looking for More? You Might also Like…
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