Staying at an ashram: etiquette and what to expect

• Write first. Traditional ashrams expect a request explaining who you are, your dates and why you want to come. Some, such as the Divine Life Society in Rishikesh, ask you to wait for written permission before you travel.
• Check who they host. Some ashrams keep rooms for people joining a programme, volunteers or devotees, not for sightseeing. Sri Ramanasramam, for example, says only a fraction of room requests can be accepted.
• Book only on the official site. Fake sites have taken money in famous ashrams' names. Follow the link from the ashram's own pages, or from our listing, and pay only where they tell you to.
• Carry ID. A government photo ID (Aadhaar, passport, driving licence) is usually needed at check-in. Overseas guests need a passport and valid visa.
• Arrive in daylight, before the office closes. Gates at many ashrams close at night.

• Cover shoulders, midriff and knees; nothing tight or see-through. Some ashrams ask for white clothes in yoga classes.
• Shoes off before halls, temples, kitchens and rooms. Bring slip-ons.
• No alcohol, smoking, drugs, meat or eggs anywhere on the premises. Some discourage onion and garlic too.
• Keep your voice down, and respect quiet hours (often from about 10 pm to 6 am).
• Ask before taking photographs, and never photograph people meditating or during worship.
• Couples: no public affection. Don't invite anyone not registered with you into your room.
• Leave your room as you found it, and don't pick flowers or leave litter.

Every ashram has its own timetable, and you're expected to follow it. A typical day:

5:00 am

Wake-up bell. Meditation, chanting or prayers.

6:30 am

Yoga or pranayama class.

8:00 am

Breakfast, often in silence.

9:00 am

Seva (karma yoga), a talk or study.

12:00 noon

Lunch, the main meal.

Afternoon

Rest, reading, another class or more seva.

Sunset

Aarti, satsang or evening prayers. At some ashrams on the Ganga, guests are expected to attend.

7:30 pm

Dinner, then quiet hours.

Most ashrams ask guests to give an hour or two a day to seva, selfless service. It might mean chopping vegetables, serving food, sweeping a hall, gardening or helping at the office. It isn't a chore to dodge: it's part of the practice, and often where friendships start. Do it fully, on time, and without being asked twice.

Meals are vegetarian, simple and shared: 45 of the 59 ashrams we list say their food is vegetarian, 10 of them sattvic (light, fresh, often without onion and garlic). You may sit on the floor in rows, eat with your right hand, and be served by volunteers.

• Take only what you'll finish; wasting food is frowned on.
• Arrive on time. Kitchens close and nobody saves a plate.
• At some ashrams you wash your own plate. Watch what others do.
• Bringing outside food into the dining hall, especially non-vegetarian food, is not done.

Where a stay is free or by donation, give at the office and ask for a receipt. Don't hand cash to individuals, however helpful they've been. Many ashram trusts are registered charities and can give a receipt that may count for tax purposes; ask if that matters to you. See free and donation-based retreats and our costs guide for what paid ashrams charge.

Rules vary. 8 of the 59 ashrams we list house couples separately; others give couples a shared room if you're registered together. Children are welcome at some ashrams and not at others, so ask first.