Beatles Ashram (Chaurasi Kutia)

The Beatles Ashram is the site of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's old retreat above the Ganges. This guide covers its history, what you see today and where entry details are unclear.

The Beatles Ashram, also called Chaurasi Kutia, lies on the eastern bank of the Ganges opposite Muni Ki Reti. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi leased the site from the forestry department in 1961, and the ashram, built in 1963, trained students of Transcendental Meditation. The Beatles studied there between February and April 1968 and wrote most songs of the White Album during the stay.

The ashram was abandoned in the 1990s, passed back to the forest department in 2003 and was officially opened to the public in December 2015. The 14-acre site sits on a cliff roughly 46 m above the river and is surrounded by forest. Today it is a half-derelict complex of stone meditation huts, a hall and the main building, covered with murals and graffiti by artists and fans, with an art show held in 2018 for the 50th anniversary of the visit.

Paths are uneven and partly overgrown, so wear sturdy shoes. The site is within a forest area, and travel sites say it closes by late afternoon. Entry fees and hours are inconsistent between sources, so confirm at the gate.