In 1968 the Beatles spent several weeks at Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s ashram in Rishikesh and wrote many of the songs that ended up on the White Album. The ashram, also called Chaurasi Kutia, was later abandoned and taken over by the forest. Today it’s open to visitors and is one of the most photographed places in Rishikesh.
What you’ll see
- Murals and graffiti covering the old halls, many of them tributes to the band and to the Maharishi.
- The meditation domes: small stone cells, stacked and half-covered in moss, where students meditated.
- Views over the Ganga from the edge of the grounds.
Visiting
- The ashram is on the Swarg Ashram side of the river, inside the Rajaji Tiger Reserve area, a short walk south of Ram Jhula.
- There’s an entry ticket (with a different rate for foreign visitors), sold at the gate. Carry cash as a backup.
- Go in the morning, when the light is soft and it’s quieter. Allow one to two hours.
- Stay on the marked paths; parts of the old buildings are fragile.
Make a day of it
From Tapovan, walk down to Laxman Jhula, follow the river towards Ram Jhula, visit the ashram, then stay on for the evening Ganga aarti at Parmarth Niketan. It’s all on the same side of the river. For a full plan, see three days in Rishikesh.
