Culture · Rishikesh, Garhwal
Beatles Ashram walk in Rajaji forest
Walk through the overgrown academy where the Beatles studied meditation in 1968. Stone meditation domes, a graffiti-covered hall and the ruins of the old bungalows sit inside the forest of Rajaji Tiger Reserve, a short walk from Swarg Ashram.
Photo: Guy P Atkinson · CC BY-SA 4.0 · CommonsMaharishi Mahesh Yogi leased this forested clifftop above the Ganga in 1961 and called it the International Academy of Meditation. Locals knew it as Chaurasi Kutia, the 84 huts. Between February and April 1968 the Beatles stayed here with Donovan, Mia Farrow and Mike Love of the Beach Boys, and wrote most of the songs that became the White Album.
The ashram was abandoned in the 1990s, reverted to the forest department in 2003 and was officially opened to the public in December 2015, now inside Rajaji Tiger Reserve. You walk past rows of beehive-shaped stone meditation cells, the main lecture hall whose walls are now covered in murals by visiting artists, the kitchen block and the shell of the Maharishi's bungalow.
Go in the morning, when the light through the trees is soft and the site is quiet. Carry water, as there is little inside. Paths are uneven and some buildings have broken stairs, so watch children closely. It is a forest area: stay on paths, do not feed monkeys, and keep noise down. Combine it with a walk along the riverside path from Ram Jhula to Swarg Ashram.
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Questions
Before you book
Where is the Beatles Ashram in Rishikesh?
On the east bank of the Ganga, south of Swarg Ashram and Ram Jhula, inside Rajaji Tiger Reserve. It is about 15 minutes on foot from Ram Jhula along the riverside lane. Autos cannot go right to the gate, so expect to walk the last stretch.
Is the Beatles Ashram worth visiting if I am not a Beatles fan?
Yes, for the forest setting, the strange meditation domes and the murals. It is one of the quietest places in Rishikesh and a good morning walk. Allow two hours and carry water; there is little shade inside some sections.
What are the Beatles Ashram opening hours?
It is usually open from morning to late afternoon, roughly 9 am to 4 or 5 pm, run by the forest department. Hours and fees can change, especially during monsoon, so check current status before you travel or ask at your hotel.