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Beatles Ashram in Rishikesh is a peaceful spiritual retreat where The Beatles learned Transcendental Meditation in 1968. Surrounded by forests, meditation huts, and creative graffiti art, it’s now one of Rishikesh’s most unique attractions. This serene spot offers a blend of music history, nature, and quiet exploration—making it a must-visit place for travellers exploring Rishikesh.
History of Beatles Ashram Rishikesh
According to the hindu tradition , the number 84 represents the 84 lakh (8.4 million) life forms that a soul is believed to pass through before achieving moksha (liberation). Therefore, Chaurasi Kutia represent “the journey of the soul toward enlightenment”.
Chaurasi Kutia, once echoing with the melodies of the world’s most famous band, “the Beatles” , this Healing retreat became a haven where the rhythm of the Beatles met the stillness of Indian spirituality.In honor of this historical connection, the place came to be lovingly known as the Beatles Ashram — a timeless symbol of where music vibes and meditation became one.
Chaurasi Kutia The Origin of the Beatles Ashram
In 1961,A beautiful piece of land was leased by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi ji from the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department , nestled high on a 150-foot cliff with a view of the Ganga River in Rishikesh. This beautiful location, surrounded by heavy jungle on 14 acres of land, became a peaceful place for meditation and Spiritual education
By 1963, with the help of a $100,000 donation from Doris Duke an American heiress , the ashram was built and came to life. Locally, it was known as Chaurasi Kutia (meaning “84 huts”), and among Maharishi’s followers, it was sometimes called Shankaracharya Nagar. Officially, Maharishi named it the International Academy of Meditation.
Rishikesh, a city already known as the “Yoga Capital of the World”.the ashram quickly became a center for seekers from around the world — a Blissful corner where ancient Indian spirituality met eager to learn minds from the West.
In 1963, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi ji formed the ashram where he created the Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique.
The true story began from August 1967 when the Beatles— Paul McCartney, George Harrison,John Lennon and Ringo Starr—attended the (TM)program of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s at the London Hilton.
After attending Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s (TM) program at the London Hilton, the Beatles realized that they needed to search for something more spiritual—a sense of serenity and peace that fame and wealth could never bring.
The Beatles Spiritual Journey
In the lateAugust 27, 1967 a sudden tragedy and devastating news reached them that — The Brian Epstein, the Beatles’ long-time manager and close friend, had died in London from an accidental drug overdose.The Beatles were heartbroken. His death left them feeling lost and searching even more deeply for meaning and stability.
“During their difficult time, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi supported them mentally and emotionally through his words.”
After that In 1968, when the “Fab Four” — The Beatles ( Paul McCartney, George Harrison, John Lennon, and Meditation technique from Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, it marked a turning point in both their minds and music. The ashram today is not just as a piece of history, but is a symbol of harmony — where creativity, peace, and consciousness merged into timeless art.
Ringo Starr) traveled to Rishikesh with their wives and friends to learn about Transcendental During their stay, the Beatles followed a basic and simple routine of vegetarian meals, meditation and quiet living — free from media and fame .They were met by other famous guests like:
(Scottish singer-songwriter)Donovan
(Hollywood actress)Mia Farrow
(The Beach Boys)Mike Love
What The Beatles Did During Their Stay in Rishikesh (1968) ?
1. Practicing Transcendental Meditation(TM) technique
Every day started early with Transcendental Meditation sessions held by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.Practiced two times each day the Beatles sat in silence, meditating with personal spiritual mantras that Maharishi Mahesh Yogi had given them by himself.
For them, it was a journey inward — away from fame, toward peace of mind.
John Lennon and George Harrison, in particular, took the meditation practice very seriously, spending hours in silence and reflection.
2. Living a Simple Ashram Life
They lived in relatively small stone houses overlooking the Ganga River – a world different from their lavish lives back in England. They wore simple clothes, wrote in their journals and blogs, and often talked about philosophy and the meaning of life that they learned there.Their days were simple and structured, vegetarian meals, spiritual lectures, yoga, nature walks, and music.
(A) Beatles White Album Songs
In the peaceful environment of Rishikesh, creativity and skill flowed effortlessly. The Beatles ended up writing nearly forty songs, many of which later appeared on “The White Album” (1968) and Abbey Road.
Some famous songs written or inspired by here include:
“Blackbird”
“Dear Prudence” (inspired by Mia Farrow’s sister, who meditated in isolation)”
“Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da”
“Mother Nature’s Son”
“I’m So Tired”
“The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill”
Paul and John even carried their guitars everywhere — music and meditation went hand in hand.
4. Meeting Other Seekers
From all over the world- writers, musicians, actors, and spiritual seekers were at the ashram.The Beatles connected with Mia Farrow, Donovan, Mike Love (of The Beach Boys), and many others, creating a vibrant cultural and traditional exchange between East and West.
5. Spiritual Growth and Reflection
All 4 Beatles thought the visit profoundly altered them,despite the differences in their experiences.They began to see life beyond fame — learning about karma, mindfulness, and enlightenment of the peace that comes from stillness.For the remaining years of their lives, George Harrison and John Lennon in particular carried this spiritual effect on them..The Beatles lived a tranquil, spiritual existence for many weeks at the Rishikesh Ashram (Chaurasi Kutia) in 1968, which was considerably different from their world of fame back home. This is what they did there.
6. Lived Simply
They lived near Ganga river in small stone cottages, they wore simple and spiritual clothes, ate vegetarian meals, and followed a quiet simple structured routine that included meditation, yoga, walks in nature, and writing in a journal.
Beatles Ashram Rishikesh Controversy
The Beatles’ stay in Rishikesh ended suddenly after rumors surfaced about inappropriate behavior by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. While the claims were never proven, the misunderstanding created tension and confusion within the group.
John Lennon, influenced by unverified allegations, decided to leave the ashram, and the others followed. Later, both Paul and George acknowledged that the rumors were likely exaggerated or false. Despite the controversy, the time in Rishikesh remained one of the most creatively productive periods in their lives.
Location of Beatles Ashram Rishikesh
- Tucked inside Rajaji Tiger Reserve, right in the peaceful Swarg Ashram zone.
- Just 3 km ahead of Laxman Jhula, surrounded by forests and calm pathways.
- Set on the quiet banks of the Ganga, away from the city rush.
- Around 10–12 km from main Rishikesh, easy to reach yet beautifully secluded.
How to Reach Beatles Ashram Rishikesh
| Starting Point / Mode | Distance (Approx.) | Time (Approx.) | Directions / Key Notes |
| From Ram Jhula | 2 km | 20–30 minutes | Walk north along the eastern bank of the Ganga (Swargashram side). |
| From Laxman Jhula/Tapovan | 5–7 km | 15–20 minutes | Take a shared auto-rickshaw to Ram Jhula, then walk. |
| From Rishikesh Railway Station (RKSH) | 13 km | 30–40 minutes | Hire a local taxi or auto-rickshaw directly to the Ashram entrance. |
| From Dehradun Airport (DED) | 30–35 km | 50–60 minutes | Hire a pre-paid taxi to Rishikesh (Ram Jhula side). |
| By Auto-Rickshaw/Taxi | Varies | Varies | longer route if traveling by car |
| By Foot (General) | Varies | Varies | Use the eastern bank road. The ashram is located inside the protected Rajaji Tiger Reserve area. |
Beatles Ashram Rishikesh Entry Fee
| Visitor Category | Applicable Nationality | Entry Fee (Approx.) |
| Foreign Nationals | All non-Indian passport holders | ₹600 (INR) or ₹1,200 (INR) |
| Indian Nationals | Indian passport holders (Adults) | ₹150 (INR) or ₹200 (INR |
| Indian Students | With valid College/School ID (Above 18) | ₹75 (INR) or ₹100 (INR) |
| Indian Children | Up to 18 years | ₹40 (INR) or ₹50 (INR) |
| Indian Senior Citizens | With valid ID | ₹75 (INR) or ₹100 (INR) |
Beatles Ashram Timings
The ashram is open daily, but the timings for the last entry and final exit are slightly different for summer and winter months.
| Season | Entry Time | Last Entry / Final Exit |
| Summer (Mar – Aug) | 10:00 AM | 4:00 PM / 5:00 PM |
| Winter (Sep – Feb) | 10:00 AM | 3:30 PM / 4:00 PM |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1-What are the visiting hours of the Beatles Ashram?
Its timing is from 10am-5pm entry closes before sunset.
Q2-What made the Beatles’ visit to Rishikesh and made it famous?
They were highly Inspired by spirituality of India , meditation practices, teachings of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and the environment.
Q3-Is it a good place to meditate in Beatles Ashram ?
Yes,it is a peaceful place surrounded by nature and a perfect place to meditate.
Q4- What are the most famous places near Beatles Ashram rishikesh?
There are many places near Beatles ashram like Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Triveni Ghat, Lakshman Jhula, Neer Garh Waterfall, Swarg Ashram, and Tera Manzil Temple (Trayambakeshwar Temple), Ram Jhula and many more.
Q5- Which is the best time to visit the Beatles’ ashram in Rishikesh?
-Best time to visit Beatles ashram Rishikesh from October to March as due to pleasant weather in North India.
