An Ashram means in the ancient Indian culture was a hindu hermitage where sages were used to live in peace and tranquility in an amidst nature. In modern days, the ashram term is usually used to refer to an international societies formed primarily for spiritual upliftment of the people, often runned by a religious leader or mystic.

In india traditionally, ashrams were located far from human habitation, in nature like forests or mountainous regions, amidst refreshing natural surroundings very much conducive to spiritual instruction and meditation. Spiritual and physical exercises, such as the various forms of yoga and meditation were regularly performed by the residents or yogi’s of an ashram. Other sacrifices and penances, such as Yajnas were also performed. Many Ashrams also served as Gurukuls or residential schools for children. The word ashram is derived from the Sanskrit term "aashraya", which means protection.

Ashrams have been a powerful symbol of throughout the Hindu history and the ideology. Most Hindu kings until the medieval ages are known to have had a sage who would advise the royal family in spiritual matters, or in times of crisis, who was called the rajguru which literally translates to royal teacher. A world-weary emperor going to this guru's ashram, and finding solace and tranquility, is a recurring motif in many folktales and legends of ancient India. Rishikesh also is the city of ashrams, here are some of them.

Parmarth niketan ashram

Swargashram

Shivananda ashram

Omkarananda ashram

Yoga niketan ashram

Ved niketan ashram

Phool chatti ashram

Gita bhavan ashram

Sadhu samaj ashram

Vanprastha ashram

Gita ashram

Sant seva ashram