Beatles Ashram (Chaurasi Kutia)
Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
The Beatles Ashram, officially called Chaurasi Kutia, is the former ashram of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, where the Beatles studied meditation in 1968. Now it is a quiet, half-wild complex of stone meditation huts, a large hall and domes covered in colourful murals and graffiti, set in the forest of Rajaji National Park. It is one of the most photographed places in Rishikesh and a good stop for anyone curious about meditation, music or street art.
What to see and do
- Walk among the stone meditation huts and painted domes
- See the old satsang hall and its murals
- Look at the graffiti and artwork on the walls, some of it inspired by Beatles lyrics
- Sit quietly in one of the meditation chambers and enjoy the forest
Ideal for
- Young travellers and music fans
- Photographers and street-art lovers
- Anyone who wants a quiet, atmospheric stop
Good to know
- One listing gives timings of about 10 am to 4 pm, so check locally
- Entry fees are not fixed in the sources: about Rs 150 to 200 for Indian visitors in older reports, so check on arrival
- Allow 1 to 2 hours for the visit
- Wear sturdy shoes, as the paths are uneven and can be muddy after rain
- It is inside a protected forest, so please do not litter or mark the walls
Spiritual significance
This is where the Beatles and many others first met Indian meditation, and the ashram became a symbol of the 1960s search for spirituality. Today its crumbling huts and murals make a striking mix of history, nature and art.
Why it matters
- Where the Beatles studied meditation: the 1968 stay put Rishikesh on the world map
- Meditation huts in a forest: a quiet place to feel the town's slower side
- Street art and murals: the domes and walls are covered in colour