A sanctuary of silence, transformation and ancient wisdom nestled in the sacred Himalayan foothills of Rishikesh.
Maun Van — meaning Silent Forest — is spread over twelve acres of private land in the Himalayas. The land takes its form from the abundant natural vegetation that has been allowed to grow and flourish, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of the ancient Gurukul — the forest resident school of classical India.
This focus on natural living has created a truly beautiful sanctuary, existing in pure peace and harmony with nature. It is the ideal space to explore inner and outer truth. Amidst an abundance of wildlife, ancient trees, wildflowers, and Ayurvedic herbs and plants, peace is available here for everyone — from across the globe — who comes to practise Yoga and Naturopathy or simply wants to experience the yogic way of life.
There are numerous Ayurvedic herbs growing within the ashram grounds, used in various treatments and therapies. A variety of fruits and vegetables grown on the land make Maunvan nearly self-sustaining in terms of sattvic, yogic meals.
Maun Van Yog Village is located in the buffer zone of the Chilla Range of the Rajaji National Park — a Tiger Reserve Forest. It lies on the route to the sacred Neelkanth Mahadev Temple of Lord Shiva, situated 16 kilometres beyond Laxman Jhulla taxi-stand in Rishikesh — approximately forty minutes by road.
The ashram is host to varieties of Himalayan and migratory birds. Early mornings and late evenings, the forest fills with birdsong. The energy of the place is profoundly different from city life — the silence is not absence, but presence.
Following the ancient teaching tradition where students stayed in the forest to gain knowledge in Yoga, Naturopathy, Ayurveda, Tantra, or simply to live the yogic life away from city crowds, Maun Van is a complete experience — you are at peace, held in the positive energy of nature.
"Here you can feel the silence of your body, feel the silence of your breath, feel the silence of your mind, feel the silence of the forest."— Maunvan, The Silent Forest
Dr. Yogi Vijay Rayal
Founder & Head Teacher
Dr. Yogi Vijay Rayal was born on 22nd November in the well-known village of Dhunaar, situated at the confluence of the Ganga and Hevel rivers near Phool-chatti Ashram, beyond Rishikesh in Pauri district of Uttarakhand. Born into a Brahmin family steeped in the Hindu priestly tradition, at the early age of eight years Yogi Vijay was taught and initiated into Vedic Mantra and Tantric Yoga by his grandfather — his first Guru.
He graduated in Commerce from Garhwal University, Srinagar, and throughout his studies continually practised Hatha and Tantric Yoga. Inspired by his Guru, he travelled to many yoga schools across India to understand different methods of teaching Yoga and to deepen his knowledge.
In 2002, to develop a scientific and therapeutic understanding of Yoga, Yogi Vijay joined G.S. College of Yoga and Cultural Synthesis, Kaivalyadhama Lonavala, Pune — where he graduated with a first-class Diploma. In 2003 he received his Doctorate in Yoga and Naturopathy from Gorakhpur School of Naturopathy.
Thereafter he was initiated by Baba Bharu Nath of Himachal Pradesh into the higher practices of Yoga and Tantra. After travelling across India, he decided to follow the Kayakalp Hatha Yog Tradition — the transformation of body and mind — returning to Rishikesh in Pauri district where the inspiration of his grandfather and Guru Ji led him to preserve and develop the age-old practices of Hatha Yoga and the ancient esoteric tradition of Tantra-Mantra of Garhwal.
He laid the foundation of Maun Van Yog Village — The Silent Forest Yoga Retreat — to teach and promote Kayakalpa Hatha Yoga in the manner of the ancient times, following the Gurukul (resident school) tradition.
Following the ancient teaching traditions where students would stay in the forest and gain knowledge in Yoga, Naturopathy, Ayurveda, Tantra — or simply spend time in the yogic lifestyle away from city crowds — Maun Van is a complete experience. Here you are at peace, held in the positive energy of nature.
The ashram is almost self-sustaining in terms of yogic meals — vegetables, fruits and Ayurvedic herbs growing on the land feed both the kitchen and the healing programs. The surrounding forest of the Rajaji National Park buffer zone provides a natural environment that supports deep practice in a way that purpose-built retreat centres simply cannot replicate.
Chemical-free campus, organic vegetarian meals grown on the land. Alcohol-free and smoke-free premises — designed to support inner clarity.
The tradition of bodily and mental transformation preserved from the ancient Gurukul system — taught here as it was always meant to be taught.
200/300/500 Hour TTC programs fully registered with Yoga Alliance USA, recognised in over 100 countries worldwide.
Located in the buffer zone of Rajaji National Park on the way to Neelkanth Mahadev — a site of powerful natural and spiritual energy.
Call us at +91-8057581122 or send an enquiry — we will help you find the right program for your path.