Dubai resident gives up city life to spend 30 days in a Rishikesh ashram, training to become a certified meditation coach
A Dubai-based woman has gone viral after sharing her decision to leave her comfortable life in the UAE and move to Rishikesh to train as a meditation coach. In an Instagram video, Divya Bhathela detailed her spiritual journey and the start of her 30-day stay in an ashram on the banks of the Ganga River, reported hindustantimes.com.
Bhathela said she packed her bags, booked a one-way ticket to India, flew to Dehradun, and then travelled to Rishikesh, where she will spend a month “living, learning, and unlearning.” Her clip shows her modest ashram room and the peaceful surroundings she now calls home.
‘Meditation changed my life — now I want to teach it to others,’ says Bhathela. Explaining her motivation, Bhathela said meditation had a profound effect on her life over the past year. “It helped me see myself clearly and manifest the life of my dreams. I thought — what if I could teach others to do it too? So here I am, training to become a certified meditation coach,” she said in her post.
Her story has resonated widely online, drawing encouragement and admiration from social media users
Social media reactions
The video has garnered hundreds of supportive comments, with users sharing similar experiences of personal transformation in Rishikesh.
One commenter wrote, “I stayed in Rishikesh for six months — it transformed me from within. You’ll love the positivity of Rishikesh. All the best!”
Another added, “You’re inspiring me to do the same! I visited for just a few hours once and the Ganga Aarti moved me to tears. I’d love to go back someday.”
A fellow wellness coach commented, “I quit my 7+ years of corporate career to pursue yoga and meditation full-time. Rishikesh is magic — don’t miss the Ganga snan and Ganga Aarti.”
The video continues to circulate across wellness and travel communities, inspiring many to reflect on self-discovery, spirituality, and mindful living beyond city life.
