Tapovan (sanskrit) comes from the two root words Tapasya - meaning specifically austerity, and more generally spiritual practice, and Vana, meaning forest, or wilderness. Tapovan then translates as forest of spiritual practice, wild place for practicing austerities, etc.

Traditionally in India, any place where someone has engaged in serious spiritual retreat may become known as Tapovan. As well as particular caves and other hermitages where sages and sadhus have dwelt, there are some places, such as the western bank of the northern Ganges river around Rishikesh that have been so used by hermits that the whole area has become known as Tapovan. The most well known Tapovan in India currently is the area above the Gangotri Glacier at the source of the Ganges. At the foot of Shivling, a barren area at about 4400m elevation, is a seasonal home to various sadhus living in caves, etc.

Coordinates: 30°54′37″N 79°04′50″E / 30.91028°N 79.08056°E / 30.91028; 79.08056

Swami Tapovan Maharaj (1889–1957) was a Hindu Sannyasi and Vedanta scholar who taught both Swami Chinmayananda, the founder of the Chinmaya Mission Movement and Swami Sundaranand.

Born in Palakkad, Kerala as Subramanian Nair,^{[citation needed]} Tapovan Maharaj exhibited a thirst for spiritual knowledge and self realisation, also being an accomplished public speaker.^{[citation needed]} He left the modern education system early and dedicated himself to the study of Sanskrit and the Vedanta.^{[citation needed]} After his brother became employed as a lawyer, he entered the order of Sannyasi.^{[citation needed]}

Tapovan Maharaj did not believe in the system of "ashrams", and was known for his strict solitary lifestyle in the Himalayan region of Uttarkashi.

He authored two books on his travels through the Himalayas: "Wanderings in the Himalayas" (Himagiri Viharam) and "Kailasa Yatra." Tapovan Maharaj exhibited a deep love for nature and his accounts of his travels demonstrate such.^{[citation needed]} His autobiography, written in Sanskrit is titled "Ishvara Darshana". He died in 1957.^{[citation needed]}