Bhardwaj Ashram

History

Prayagraj’s places-of-interest page places the present ashram in Colonelganj and lists important images including Ram–Lakshman, Mahishasur Mardini, Surya, Sheshnag and Nar Varah, alongside the Bhardwajeshwar Mahadev lingam.

Tradition holds that Rama sought Bhardwaj’s blessings on the exile journey; where the ancient hermitage stood is a matter of research, but the Colonelganj shrine remains the living memorial near Anand Bhawan.

Stories

The sage who guided Rama toward Chitrakoot

In the Ramayana, Rama, Sita and Lakshmana meet the sage Bharadvaja at his ashram at the start of their fourteen-year exile. The sage asks them to stay with him, but they choose to go deeper into the forest, and he gives them directions to Chitrakoot. When Bharata later sets out to find Rama and bring him back to Ayodhya, he too is received at the sage's hermitage.

The sage who learned medicine from Indra

The ancient medical text Charaka Samhita says Bharadvaja went to the god Indra and pleaded that illness was keeping people from their spiritual path. Indra then taught him the method and substance of medicine. For this reason Bharadvaja is remembered in Ayurvedic tradition as an early teacher. The present Bhardwaj Ashram is in the Colonelganj area of Prayagraj, near Anand Bhawan, and keeps his memory alive.

Good to know

Colonelganj, near Anand Bhawan

Associated with Rama’s blessings from sage Bhardwaj

Bhardwajeshwar Mahadev and many sacred images

Getting there

Nearest airport: Prayagraj. Rail: Prayagraj Junction. Local auto or taxi to Colonelganj / Anand Bhawan area.