Meditation Centers in India

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The dictionary meaning of meditation is continuous contemplation on a subject or series of subjects of an esoteric nature. Meditation also means awareness. Any activity that is done without distracting the mind is meditation e.g. watching yourself breath is meditation; listening to the chirping of birds is meditation. As long as these activities are free from any interruption or disturbance, they could form effective meditation.

Actually speaking, meditation is not a technique but a way of life. Since time immemorial India has been popular for Meditation. It is to promote this healthy way of living that many Meditation and Yoga Centers have emerged in India.

Some of the most popular Meditation Centers in India are located in:

1. Rishikesh: Rishikesh is located in Uttaranchal, North India, at the confluence of the Ganges and Chandrabhaga stream. It has an altitude of 356 m above sea level and is surrounded by hills on three sides. It is also known as the yoga or meditation capital of the world. There are a number of ashrams in Rishikesh offering courses on meditation and yoga. The hatha yoga and pranayama meditation classes conducted at Sri Ved Niketan Ashram are very popular. In addition, the UP Tourism organizes the International Yoga Festival every year from February 2 to 7.

2. Nashik : Nashik is a city located in Maharashtra which has a unique personality given to its mythological, historical, social and cultural importance. The ancient temples and ghats situated on the banks of Godavari, which flows through the city have made Nashik one of the holiest places for Hindus all over the World. It is due to these temples that this city is also famous as a meditation center.

3. Haridwar: Haridwar is located in North Indian state of Uttaranchal at a height of almost 300 meters above sea level. Haridwar in hindi literally means 'the Gateway to the Gods'. It is one of the seven holiest places according to Hindu mythology and it also stands as the gateway to the other three important pilgrimages namely, Rishikesh, Badrinath and Kedarnath. Haridwar has a number of meditation centers that offer different types of meditation programs suited to individual needs.

4. Varanasi: Varanasi has always been a great center of spiritualism, Ayurveda, Yoga and mysticism. It is one the oldest cities of India and has had a great tradition of Yoga learning which continues even to this day. The various ashrams of Varanasi have been the center of Yoga practice, teaching as well as learning. With the establishment and development of modern urban institutions of learning, Yoga has been given an important place in the curriculum of various courses offered there. Varanasi is the hub for Yoga, Ayurveda, Meditation and Astrology.

The main centers for Yoga, Meditation and Astrology are mentioned as follows:

1. B.H.U.
2. Man Mandir
3. Bhring Sanhita Kendra, Bhadaini
4. Center For Yoga & Meditation, Nirala Nagar
5. Pragya Yoga Institute, Jagat Ganj
6. S.S.U.
7. Gayan Pravah
8. Kashi Yoga Sangh, Sankat Mochan
9. International Yoga & Meditation Centre, Nagawa

Although many more meditation and yoga centers have added on with time, the traditional element of originality remains attached with these places only.