Beatles Ashram Rishikesh — Where The Beatles Found Enlightenment

About Beatles Ashram (Chaurasi Kutia)

Beatles Ashram, officially known as Chaurasi Kutia (The 84 Cottages), is one of the most unusual heritage sites in India — a ruined forest ashram made world-famous by a February-April 1968 pilgrimage when John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr came here to study Transcendental Meditation under Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. The visit directly inspired much of the “White Album” and sparked a global wave of Western interest in Indian spirituality.

The ashram was established in the 1960s by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the founder of Transcendental Meditation, who had previously taught at the Ashram in Rishikesh before gaining international fame. The 84 meditation kutias (huts) give the ashram its official name. At its peak, the ashram attracted celebrities, spiritual seekers and students from around the world. It was abandoned in the late 1990s and taken over by the Rajaji National Park forest department.

Today the ashram is a captivating open-air museum of peeling paint, overgrown meditation domes, and extraordinary street art murals. Local and international artists have transformed the ruins into an outdoor gallery celebrating the Beatles, meditation, and Rishikesh. The jungle has reclaimed much of the campus, giving it a romantic, mysterious quality unlike anything else in Uttarakhand.

Quick Facts

History of Beatles Ashram

In February 1968, all four Beatles arrived in Rishikesh to study Transcendental Meditation with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. They were accompanied by their partners, managers, and fellow celebrities including Donovan, Mike Love of the Beach Boys, and actress Mia Farrow. The group stayed in individual stone meditation huts and participated in intensive meditation courses. George Harrison, who had long been drawn to Indian philosophy and music, was the most committed student and the driving force behind the visit.

The stay at Chaurasi Kutia was enormously creative. The Beatles wrote more than 40 songs during or immediately after their time here, many of which appeared on the White Album (1968). The visit brought Transcendental Meditation to global attention and sparked a decade-long wave of Western interest in Indian spiritual practices. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi became internationally famous. The ashram itself continued to function until the late 1990s, when it was abandoned and absorbed by Rajaji National Park.

Best Time to Visit

The ashram is closed on some national holidays. Verify timings by calling Tour Venture India before visiting.

Things to Do

The experience at Beatles Ashram is one of exploration and discovery. Pick up a map at the entrance (included with entry) and wander at your own pace through the 14-acre forested campus. Key highlights include the main assembly hall (Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Hall) with its large meditation dome, the individual stone kutias (meditation huts) where the Beatles stayed, and the amphitheatre.

The street art murals are spread throughout the campus and are continuously being added to. Look for the famous portraits of John, Paul, George, and Ringo, as well as lyric quotations, mandalas, and tributes to Maharishi. On weekends, local musicians sometimes perform Beatles covers near the main stage. Guided tours (available at the entrance for Rs.200-300 extra) add rich historical context.

• Explore the forest campus and discover the Beatles meditation kutias
• Photograph the striking street art murals throughout the ashram
• Visit the main meditation assembly hall and dome
• See the specific stone hut where John Lennon is said to have stayed
• Sit in the natural amphitheatre and imagine the 1968 gatherings
• Hire a local guide for detailed historical context (Rs.200-300)
• Walk the 3 km riverside path back to Laxman Jhula

How to Reach Beatles Ashram

Practical Information

Entry fees: Rs.150 for Indian nationals, Rs.600 for foreign nationals. Open 8 AM-5 PM, seven days a week (check on public holidays). The ashram is managed by the Uttarakhand Forest Department (Rajaji Tiger Reserve). No food or drinks are sold inside — carry water and snacks.

Photography is freely permitted throughout the campus — this is one of the most photographed heritage sites in Uttarakhand. Wear comfortable walking shoes; the terrain is uneven and some paths are unpaved. The forested campus means mosquitoes in summer and monsoon — carry repellent. Allow 2-3 hours for a thorough visit.

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Frequently Asked Questions