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Geeta Bhawan, Rishikesh
Krishna & the Bhagavad Gita · Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
Geeta Bhawan is a large riverside temple and ashram at Swargashram in Rishikesh, dedicated to Krishna and the teaching of the Bhagavad Gita. Founded in the 1940s, its long halls on the bank of the Ganga are painted with scenes from the epics and inscribed with the verses of the Gita, and it has long been a place of discourse, devotion and rest for pilgrims on the Himalayan road.
The home of the Gita
Geeta Bhawan — “the house of the Gita” — takes its name from the song the lord sang to Arjuna, and its walls carry the Gita’s verses and the stories of Krishna and Rama in bright mural. Halls of worship and discourse fill the complex, where the scriptures are read and explained, in the spirit of the devotional publishing movement with which it is associated.
On the bank at Swargashram
Set at Swargashram on the east bank of the Ganga, the Bhawan offers free or simple lodging to pilgrims in its many rooms, a tradition of hospitality that has welcomed seekers for generations. The river runs swift and clear before it, and the Ganga aarti and the chanting of bhajans mark the rhythm of its days.
A stop on the pilgrim road
Rishikesh, the gateway to the Himalayan shrines and a world centre of yoga, gives Geeta Bhawan its setting, and pilgrims pause here on the way to the Char Dham. Gita Jayanti, the day the Bhagavad Gita was spoken, and Janmashtami are the chief festivals, when the teaching of the lord is honoured by the river.
How to reach Geeta Bhawan
- By road: Geeta Bhawan is at Swargashram on the east bank of the Ganga, near Ram Jhula in Rishikesh.
- By train: Rishikesh and Haridwar are the nearest railheads.
- By air: Dehradun (Jolly Grant) Airport is about 20 km away.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Geeta Bhawan?
Geeta Bhawan is a large riverside temple and ashram at Swargashram in Rishikesh, dedicated to Krishna and the Bhagavad Gita, founded in the 1940s.
Why is it called Geeta Bhawan?
It means “the house of the Gita,” for the Bhagavad Gita that Krishna sang to Arjuna; its walls carry the Gita’s verses and scenes from the epics.
Does it offer lodging to pilgrims?
Yes — the Bhawan has many rooms offering simple lodging to pilgrims, a long tradition of hospitality at Swargashram.
Where is Geeta Bhawan?
It is at Swargashram on the east bank of the Ganga, near Ram Jhula in Rishikesh.
What are the main festivals?
Gita Jayanti, the day the Bhagavad Gita was spoken, and Janmashtami are the chief festivals.
How do I reach Geeta Bhawan?
Rishikesh and Haridwar are the nearest railheads, and Dehradun (Jolly Grant) Airport is about 20 km away.
॥ राधे राधे ॥ • Bhaktiras.net Temple Guide
| Deity | Krishna and the Bhagavad Gita |
| Type | Riverside temple and ashram |
| Founded | 1940s |
| Setting | Swargashram, east bank of the Ganga |
| Special | Painted halls; pilgrim lodging |
| Main Festival | Gita Jayanti, Janmashtami |