Festival of Immortality


This year it is our great pleasure to invite you to the renowned 9th Annual International Yoga Festival (IYF)
at Parmarth Niketan in Rishikesh. This year’s theme is Festival of Immortality which ties in with the
occurrence of the Maha Kumbha Mela which began January 14th, 2010 and ends in April. The Maha
Kumbha Mela happens only once every 12 years. It is an auspicious time to practice yoga and therefore we
would like to invite you to learn, renew or deepen your yoga practice in the company of revered yogacharyas
and fellow students from all over the world. It is said that a dip in the Ganges during this time will lead you
to immortality.

The IYF offers participants the opportunity to study many different traditions such as Ashtanga Vinyasa,
Iyengar, Jivamukti, Kundalini traditions. The IYF also presents many opportunities for satsang with
respected spiritual masters and experiencing the rich Indian culinary and artistic culture. Please visit
www.internationalyogafestival.com for the full program.
Namaste!

What to Bring


  • Pack light! There are local stores to purchase any necessities.
  • Bring your own mat. We suggest an ecologically friendly mat that does not use PVC.
  • Bring white clothes for yoga. The colour white represents purity. If you prefer, you can purchase cotton pyjamas and tops for less than $5 in the market outside the ashram.
  • Bring clothes for cold and rainy weather. In recent years our weather in the Himalayas has become less predictable. You can buy warmer clothes here but we suggest that you bring at least a rain jacket and/or umbrella and a set of warm clothes.
  • There is an ashram dress code. Please do not wear tank tops and wear at least calf length pants to maintain proper attire.

Getting Here


If you require assistance getting to Rishikesh, please contact sstravels29@gmail.com at Shri Sai Travels to make
travel arrangements. They can advise you on the best mode and route of travel as some routes may be
closed during this period due to the Kumba Mela. It is also therefore advisable to book your
accommodation prior to arrival.

Arrival/Check-in Process


When you arrive at Parmarth Niketan, head straight for the IYF Check-In Office. Here you will receive
instructions on the Check-In process and also be assigned to a group, and allotted a time to attend an
orientation session where you will receive your welcome kit containing festival program, wristband, etc.
  • Please remember to arrive at the ashram before 10pm in order to ensure someone is available to greet you and guide you to your room. If you expect to arrive after 10pm, please email us ahead of time to make arrangements.
  • If you are traveling with a group, the group leader should approach the arrivals desk and will be the main contact for all registration forms and donations. We request that all groups file their forms (C Forms, Liability Waivers) and make their remaining donations at once when all are complete.
  • Only cash, cheques, and drafts can be accepted on site at Parmarth Niketan. We are not set up to receive credit card payments on site. There are 2 ATMs available in Swargashram and one bank adjacent to the ashram which can change money.
  • Please use your full legal name on all documents so that we can keep consistent track of your registration information. You may include any other names in parentheses (i.e. spiritual names).
  • All participants will be asked to sign a Release of Liability waiver upon arrival.
  • If you are staying at Parmarth Niketan, you will fill out the C-Form upon arrival very carefully if you have a passport other than Indian. Please have your passport and visa on hand to fill out this form.

Festival Etiquette


1. Please ensure you receive a wristband upon registration. It is your responsibility to wear this at all
times. This provides you entry into all festival classes, meals, and special events. If you lose it, please
go to the Help Desk and they will assist you.
2. Please turn off your cell phones during Aarti, classes, lecture and satsang.
3. Our morning walk will be a meditation walk in silence. The silence will help to conserve energy for
the day and allows the senses to observe nature and our own “inner nature.”
4. Please let us know if you will be missing a meal so we can prepare accurate amounts of food. There
will be a sign up sheet at the Help Desk to notify us when you will be missing a meal the next day.
5. Please do not enter a class 10 minutes after its starting time out of consideration for others.
Silence is Sacred
The ancient rishis, saints and sages have performed countless years of austerities filling this land with sacred
& blissful energies. Silencing of all your senses will allow for the sacred light to penetrate the very essence
of your beings – allowing the divinity within to be realized. You may want to be in silence for a few hours, a
meal, an entire day, or all week. We would like to help you maintain this experience by providing a
notification to others with a badge. If you would like to be in silence, simply approach the Help Desk and
request a badge for silence.

Karma Yoga


The Bhagavad Gita teaches us that karma yoga, or selfless service, assists us in our spiritual journey toward
liberation or moksha. There will be plenty of ways for you to practice karma yoga during the festival. Just
to start you can keep your own room clean, throw trash in the bins, and keep your surroundings clean,
green, and serene. If you wish to get more involved, sign up at the volunteer sign up every morning at
breakfast in the back garden.

Yoga Aid Challenge charity event


On the Wednesday morning, we bring together all the festival for our very special charity event, the Yoga Aid Indian Challenge.

With over 500 people participating from over 30 countries it has grown to become one of our largest Yoga Aid Challenge events in the world. Not only is the event one of our largest events, it is also one of the most spiritual events with the world's leading Revered Saints, Spiritual Masters and Yogacharyas hosting the practise.

Register NOW and help make a difference by fund-raising online for our charity partners before arriving at the International Yoga Festival.

Clean, Green, and Serene Yoga


We are consciously taking a few steps to honor and protect our Mother Earth in our yogic life. Globally
and locally we can make positive contributions for our environment during the festival. Please offer any
suggestions to growing our Clean, Green, and Serene Yoga Festival! All of our waste is not pre-sorted rather
first collected, then sorted and disposed in an eco friendly manner.

Contribute to a Clean, Green, and Serene Yogic life


  • Avoid plastics. Reuse bottles when possible and avoid using plastic bags from vendors by carrying your own. If you get caught without a bag, only buy what you can carry.
  • Please advise when faucets or toilets are leaky and use lights and other appliances at a minimum. Maintenance request forms will be available at the Help Desk.
  • Minimize the amount of hot water use. Wash laundry in cold water.
  • Reconsider printing this and any other electronic correspondences you receive each day.
  • Buy eco friendly yoga mats. These mats are becoming increasingly available in stores but if you can’t find one locally, check out some of the options online: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=ecofriendly+yoga+mat&x=0&y=0
  • Avoid toxic PVC that is bad for you and our Mother Earth.
  • Consider offsetting the carbon used to transport you to the festival. This website gives you a great comparison and links to all your options for this journey your next: http://www.ecobusinesslinks.com/carbon_offset_wind_credits_carbon_reduction.htm


Frequently Asked Questions


1. Where do I go regarding questions about my room?
Each residential block has its own reception where you can ask questions.

2. How can I get my laundry done?
Twice a day you can drop off your laundry at the Help Desk for cleaning. Please put all laundry in bags provided by your local reception office with your name, room number and number of items (Rs 10 per item) on it. Your laundry will be returned to the office in its bag 24 hours after drop off.

Please note that in Indian custom, undergarments are not to be sent out to the washer man. Rather, these can be cleaned individual in your bathroom. You may also do all of your own laundry and we request that you use cold water to save energy and save the hot water for showers.

3. Is there hot water?
There IS hot water in all rooms. Turn on the water heater with the wall switch 30 minutes prior to use and shut off immediately after use. Please conserve so that others can also have hot water.

4. Where can I get a towel, more soap, toilet paper, etc?
You can pick up or make requests for items at your local reception office.

5. Who can clean my room?
As part of your karma yoga, we request that you keep your rooms clean. Cleaning supplies are available to share for each floor.

6. What about drinking water?
Drinking water is provided in the Yoga Hall area in coolers. Feel free to fill up your bottles/thermos with these. Please be sure to only drink bottled or filtered water.

7. What if I get sick or need medical attention?
We have our own hospital with dispensary onsite called Parmarth Niketan Hospital.
Hours are Monday to Friday 8am to 11am and 3pm to 5pm. If you require attention outside these hours, please go to the Help Desk and someone will contact the resident doctor in charge of the hospital.

8. Where can I check my email, make a phone call, or change money?
Internet cafes are available in the marketplace. Phone calls can be made at three
locations in the ashram to make phone calls; please see the map of the ashram for all
locations which are open at different and varying times. There are 3 ATMs in the
marketplace: Axis Bank, State Bank of India, and Punjab National Bank.

9. Is it safe to walk out of the ashram alone at dark?
It is unadvisable for females to travel alone into deserted areas day or night. It is not safe to venture into the forest at before dawn or after dusk as wild elephants and leopards habitat this area.

10. Is Pujya Swamiji available for Darshan (blessings)?
At registration, you will be assigned to a group and assigned an evening to meet Pujya Swamiji for Darshan.

11. What are some useful tips regarding Indian etiquette
A general rule of thumb – be sensitive and respectful. When in doubt, observe what others are doing, or simply just ask. However, we can offer a few useful tips: To preserve the purity of sacred places (eg. People’s homes, eating areas, places of worship, yoga halls, meditation spaces), remove your shoes. To avoid potential misunderstandings and for hygienic reasons, when greeting someone, fold your hands in Namaste. Indians reserve their left hand for unclean activities so it is customary to give and receive with the right hand. When sitting in front of elders, teachers, and out of respect, do not sit with your feet pointed toward them.
12. How can I make a donation to the ashram?
Please make donations ONLY at the main reception desk. PLEASE make sure to receive your receipt (even if you don’t require it). Please see the brochure in the Welcome Package which details the charitable and humanitarian activities of the ashram.

Please help us maintain the dignity and honesty of the ashram by NOT giving money to anyone else for any reason.

13. How can I provide my feedback?
Feedback Forms. We greatly value your feedback and have hopefully incorporated all of last year’s suggestions into this year’s festival. We will be distributing this form during the festival. Please keep your mind open to improvement. We will be requiring that you fill out this feedback form before receiving your key deposit if you are staying at the ashram.

Parmarth Niketan Guidelines


Parmarth Niketan Ashram welcomes you to this divine and heavenly spiritual abode. To help us make this a home for you and to maintain the sanctity and simplicity of ashram life, please abide by these simple guidelines inside the ashram, the ghat and all of the ashram premises.

It is our deepest and sincere hope that you feel completely at home at Parmarth Niketan.

1. Please help us maintain the beauty of your home. Please do not pick flowers. Please place all trash in the bins (dustbins, garbage cans) located in various locations inside the ashram. Ensure your shoes are neatly lined up outside dining areas and yoga halls.

2. Please help us conserve Mother Earth’s resources - water especially hot water and electricity. Please make sure all water sockets, hot water geysers, all lights, fans, air conditioners and all other electrical items are turned off before leaving your rooms.

3. Alcohol is strictly prohibited at all times both inside and outside the ashram. Illicit drugs & tobacco products of all sorts including cigarettes, cigars, tobacco chew and others are strictly prohibited.

4. Ashram gates close at 10 pm & open at 4:00 am (closed again between 5:00 am and 6:00 am for Morning Universal Prayer (Satsang Hall).

5. Please do not loiter outside of your rooms or anywhere in the ashram premises after 10:00 pm. Please be sure to be in your rooms by 10:00 pm at the latest. Please try to observe silence or be very, very quiet after 10:00 pm.

6. Please abstain from uttering any obscenities. If by chance you find yourself thinking of any obscenities, please offer them to Holy Ganga Mother as she will gracefully carry away all of the negativities laden in your minds and hearts.

7. Dress guidelines – Please be respectful of Indian customs & culture. Please do not wear sleeveless or tank tops or short skirts or shorts.

8. Meal time guidelines – please observe silence while in the dining hall. It is a time of prasad which is not only feeding your physical bodies but nourishing your inner spirit. Please make sure to come on a timely manner. Out of respect for others who are waiting to have their prasad, please exit the dining hall once you have finished your meal. If you require a second helping of food, please make sure that the serving spoons do not touch your plate. Remember to silence your cell phone when you are in the dining hall.

9. Out of appreciation, we know many of you will want to tip our staff, but please DO NOT give individual tips to our staff or gifts to the rishikumars (Gurukul children). We have a central donation box located at the Help Desk. Please be sure to follow this rule strictly to help us maintain the sanctity & equality of our ashram life.

10. As we respect the sanctity of this space, we kindly request that no outside yoga, music or other teachers provide individual or group lessons inside the ashram.

Parmarth Niketan Recommendations


Parmarth Niketan ashram welcomes you to this divine and heavenly spiritual abode. We offer the following recommendations during your stay to make it the most comfortable as possible.

1. Seva – Karma yoga is a beautiful way to give back to your Himalayan home of Parmarth Niketan. Please notify the reception office if you would like to contribute your services or talents to the many charitable and humanitarian activities of the ashram.

2. If you are missing any items in your room or any thing needs maintenance or repair, please notify the office staff in your individual areas. The cleaning of your rooms is your own personal seva.

3. For your protection, it is unadvisable for females to travel alone into the jungle or deserted areas either during the day or at night. Please travel in pairs whenever possible.

4. Please check the reception office board for times of yoga classes and other pertinent information. 5. Please be sure to fill out a feedback form in the reception office prior to your departure. Please be sure to print your email addresses very clearly as this will allow your Parmarth Niketan family to stay in contact with you via our monthly newsletters and Pujya Swamiji’s divine monthly blessings. We will keep your contact information strictly confidential.

6. If you would like to make a monetary contribution to the ashram and/or its numerous charitable and humanitarian activities, please inquire at the reception office.

7. Pujya Swamiji is available for Darshan (blessings) immediately after Aarti most evenings. If you want to be in His presence, you can come immediately after Ganga Aarti to the reception office and request the opportunity to have His Darshan.
8. We welcome your suggestions so please do not hesitate to convey them to us.

Ph: (0135) 244-0088, 244-0077,243-4301; Fax: (0135) 244-0066 (from abroad dial +(91-135) instead of 0135)
Website: www.parmarth.com Email: parmarth@parmarth.com