Shri Prem Nagar Ashram is the premier Ashram established by Shri Hans Ji Maharaj and further developed by Jagat Janani Shri Mata Ji and Shri Satpal Ji Maharaj.

Situated on the banks of the Ganges, Hardwar is one of the holiest pilgrimage places in India. For thousands of years, it has been the chosen retreat of saints, sages and pilgrims who, after retiring from worldly pursuits, sought a life of study, meditation and simplicity.

Shri Prem Nagar Ashram

Shri Prem Nagar Ashram is situated on Jwalapur Road, 3 kilometres from the town of Hardwar, between the major pilgrimage places of Hardwar, Jwalapur and Kankhal. Located as it is between the swiftly-flowing yet serene Ganges and the foothills of the Himalayas, it is an ideal and tranquil setting for spiritual practice. The twin peaks of Chandi Devi and Mansa Devi, capped by temples, are visible from the Ashram. The sounds of nearby temple bells and devotional songs are carried on the morning and evening breezes, mingling with birdsong and augmenting the peaceful and contemplative atmosphere of the Ashram.

Founded in 1944 by Yogiraj Paramsant Satgurudev Shri Hans Ji Maharaj, the building and shaping of Prem Nagar was his and his devotees’ labour of love. When the land was purchased it was rocky and overgrown with thorny scrub and its only inhabitants were snakes and scorpions. Yet Shri Hans Ji Maharaj had a vision:

"From here to the street, we’ll construct a long driveway bordered by beautiful gardens. We’ll build seven arches along it. Over there we’ll build a huge satsang hall which will be adorned with quotations from the saints and divine Masters of all religions. The driveway gardens will be decorated with fountains, benches and flowerbeds. The pathway itself will have raised borders carrying quotations from saints and scriptures about the spiritual experience, service, love, devotion etc. Devotees will read them as they walk down the path, and this will purify their minds and prepare them for satsang and meeting the spiritual Master."

This dream came true through the combined efforts of Master and devotees over the years. From 1950 onwards, work began in earnest. Devotees got together to level the land and construct a hut where Shri Hans Ji Maharaj and a few devotees lived. From this humble beginning it has grown into a huge and unique ashram of more than 1000 rooms.

As Shri Hans Ji Maharaj said, "I have been offered donations large enough to complete the construction of this Ashram, but that is not what I want. I prefer to give each and every devotee a chance to participate in this holy and meritorious work. Service is the expression of love, and this kind of spontaneous loving service will gradually build Prem Nagar, the ‘City of Love’."

He further said, "Anyone stepping into this Prem Nagar will be blessed with spiritual knowledge and service in this Ashram will give incredible merit of higher life and salvation."

Prem Nagar enshrines the twin ideals of service and meditation. As soon as a person enters the front gate, he experiences the aura of peace. He passes under the seven arches adorned with greenery and fragrant flowers, and arrives at a fountain crowned by four back-to-back statues of a seated Shiva. The arches symbolise the chakras in the body, after traversing which the individual consciousness is united with the Supreme Being, represented by the Shiva fountain. The scriptural quotations lining the main driveway illustrate the fundamental unity of all religions, which is Self-realization and merging of the individual soul with God.

During Shri Hans Ji Maharaj's time a magnificent Satsang Hall was constructed. This hall, now called 'Manasrovar Hall', can accommodate 5000 people and every Sunday public satsang programs are held here. Its vast interior has good natural acoustics. The lower level is lined with portraits of past saints and Masters and quotations from the saints and scriptures of all religions. The upper level, which has a gallery lined with rooms, is adorned with extracts from Shri Maharaj Ji's discourses on the practical Knowledge of God and its realization. The western end of the hall has a stage with a life-size cutout portrait of Shri Hans Ji Maharaj. After Shri Maharaj Ji left his mortal body in July 1966, Shri Mata Ji took over the management of the Ashram and his mission. Under her guidance there was a tidal wave of propagation and Knowledge spread not only throughout India but also to the West.

Goverdhan Hall

To meet the growing need for a more spacious hall at Prem Nagar and to protect audiences from inclement weather, Shri Mata Ji laid the foundation stone for another, even larger, building (which was to be called 'Goverdhan Hall'). Since her passing away in 1991 Shri Satpal Ji Maharaj has been supervising its construction, which is now on the verge of completion.

The total covered area is 5541 square meters. The central hall is constructed as a single span without any columns and is surrounded by covered corridors measuring 800 square meters. It was designed by well-known architects and consultants from Hyderabad and Delhi. It is the biggest hall of its type in Asia and will contain the latest equipment for sound, lighting and ventilation. The hall, which can accommodate 50,000 people, has been especially designed for satsang and meditation for those gather here from all over the world.

Shri Hans Tirath

After Shri Hans Ji Maharaj passed away, Shri Mataji commissioned the construction of an exquisite octagonal-shaped shrine, entirely of white marble, on the site of his cremation. This shrine, or 'Samadhi,' was encircled by a marble pathway, and contained a life-size statue of Shri Maharaj Ji seated in meditation. Elegant columns with marble carvings supported a dome-shaped roof.

The Samadhi is now being incorporated into a marvellous temple, which is being constructed beside the Ganges, to house both the statue of Shri Hans Ji Maharaj and that of Shri Mata Ji. This unique structure is crowned with nine pyramid-shaped domes. The interior of the temple is decorated with 32 domes of various sizes.

The intricately patterned floors will be inlaid with white, green, yellow and red marble designs. The walls will also have a marble veneer with flowery borders and panels up to window height. The statues will sit in the center of the shrine beneath the highest dome. The temple has wide passages on all four sides to give added space and clear views of the statues.

Natural Medicines

Established in 1979, the fully licensed Ayurved Bhavan produces a huge range (more than 150) of natural medicines and tonics from pure herbal ingredients according to ancient Vedic recipes. This pharmacy, like all ashram facilities, is staffed entirely by ashram residents. Fully qualified ayurvedic physicians supervise all stages of the manufacturing process. These medicines are guaranteed pure, unadulterated and chemical-free. They are moderately priced and are conveniently packed in unbreakable containers. The Ayurved Bhavan also maintains a free clinic, which is open to the public on weekdays.

Bathing in the Ganges (Ghat)

Ghat contructed under Shri Mata Ji

The Ganges flows very swiftly at Hardwar, so for the safety of those wishing to bathe in the river, Shri Mata Ji had a 220 ft-long protected bathing area, called a ghat, constructed in late 1978. It consists of a set of steps leading right into the water, surrounded by protective railings. It has since been expanded to at least double its original length. It is a very pleasant place for meditation at dusk and dawn. As Hardwar is situated at the foothills of the Himalayas, the river’s water is icy cold and very refreshing. Sunrise over the Himalayas is always a majestic sight.

Panch Pallav

A mahatma reciting the Ramayana under the famous Panch Pallav

Behind the ghat is a landscaped garden containing the Panch Pallav grove, which is also a very peaceful spot for meditating. A tree-lined pathway connects the ghat and the shrine of Shri Hans Ji Maharaj. Panch Pallav is the combination of five type of trees growing together as one. This a very rare phenomenon and has been referred to in the Ramayana as being very auspicious

Accomodation

Prem Nagar Ashram provides accommodation and all amenities for a trouble-free stay, so that visitors can devote themselves to meditation, study and service and generally relax and enjoy the beauty and peace of their surroundings. There are four large residential buildings with a total of nearly one thousand rooms, most of which have attached bathrooms. One can sit by the Ganges or bathe in its refreshing waters and there is plenty of space to stroll around. Those who would like to balance their meditation with simple karma yoga may participate in light work (‘service’) which contributes to the running of the Ashram. Such activities include picking flowers in the morning for prayers, helping to collate and bind magazines, or packing medicines in the pharmacy.

Contact

Shri Prem Nagar Ashram
Jwalapur Road,
Hardwar-249407 (Uttarakhand) INDIA
Phone : +91-1334- 226345, 227503, 229345
Fax : +91-1334-266139
Email: premnagar1@gmail.com

Hardwar is easily accessible by road and rail from Delhi and most towns in North India. There are direct rail links with major towns like Dehradun, Delhi, Saharanpur, Calcutta, Amritsar, Mumbai etc.

Private buses and taxis are available from Delhi and other towns. Government-run buses (U.P. State Roadways, Punjab Roadways, Himachal Roadways, Delhi Transport Corp. etc) link Hardwar to a large number of cities in NW India. Buses leave regularly for Delhi, a 6-hours’ journey.

Prem Nagar is situated approximately 3 km from Hardwar bus and train stations. It can also be reached by rickshaw, auto and mini-taxis.