Why the Beatles Travelled to Rishikesh in 1968
By 1968, the Beatles were looking beyond the stage and studio for a different kind of inspiration. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi offered them a chance to learn Transcendental Meditation at his ashram in the Himalayan foothills, away from the demands of fame.
In February, they arrived with partners and friends, joining fellow seekers such as actress Mia Farrow, folk singer Donovan, and Beach Boys frontman Mike Love. Between meditation sessions, Donovan introduced John, Paul, and George to fingerpicking techniques that would find their way into their music.
Their stay unfolded at different paces. Ringo Starr left after about 10 days, Paul McCartney departed in March, and John Lennon and George Harrison remained until April before returning home.
Songs Traced Back to Rishikesh
Dear Prudence: Lennon and Harrison wrote this song to encourage Prudence Farrow, Mia Farrow's sister, to emerge from her room, where she had withdrawn for extended meditation.
The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill: A wry account inspired by a young American visitor who left the ashram with his mother to hunt tigers.
Rocky Raccoon: McCartney developed this acoustic guitar song on a chalet rooftop, with Lennon and Donovan for company.
Sexy Sadie: One of Lennon's songs from the India retreat, it carried a sharper, more critical tone than many of the other songs inspired by the stay.
The songs born in Rishikesh carried the spirit of the Beatles’ retreat far beyond the ashram walls. But the story of this place extends beyond music, to a meditation centre that flourished, fell silent, and eventually opened its doors to visitors once more.
Chaurasi Kutia means 84 huts in Hindi, a name inspired by the beehive-shaped meditation pods scattered across the compound. For decades, students from around the world came here to practise the Maharishi’s method inside these small stone cells.
In the late 1990s, the Maharishi’s organisation left, and the buildings stood abandoned for years. Roofs caved in, vegetation crept through doorways and windows, and the forest gradually reclaimed the grounds. In December 2015, the Uttarakhand Forest Department reopened the site to visitors as part of the Rajaji Tiger Reserve, bringing a new chapter to Chaurasi Kutia’s story.
Walking Among the Meditation Domes
Beyond its musical history, the Beatles Ashram, Rishikesh, holds a quieter story in its stone meditation pods and forest-covered grounds. Step through the gate, and the earthen paths wind beneath tall trees, leading past beehive-shaped meditation pods that rise from the undergrowth. Inside, the stone walls hold the tranquillity of the forest, offering a glimpse of the solitude that once drew seekers here.
Further along, old residential buildings and a vast, dome-roofed lecture hall stand open to the sky, their weathered walls reclaimed by nature. Each turn reveals another fragment of Chaurasi Kutia's past, best discovered on foot, at a pace that lets the details speak for themselves.
Colour on the Walls of the Beatles Cathedral Gallery
Nature reclaimed the abandoned ashram until a Canadian street artist named Pan Trinity Das arrived in 2012. He, with a small band of travelling artists, began painting the old hall with portraits of the Beatles, spiritual teachers, and lines from the band's songs.
Although forest guards initially halted the work, artists from around the world continued to contribute, transforming the hall into what is now known as the Beatles Cathedral Gallery. Today, giant neon portraits of John, Paul, George, and Ringo share the walls with mandalas, meditating yogis, and hand mudras. Murals by other visiting artists appear throughout the compound, making the walk beyond the main hall just as rewarding.
Beatles Ashram Timings for Your Visit
The Beatles Ashram timings are set by the forest department and are subject to seasonal changes and local regulations. Use the following details as a guide, and confirm the hours at the entrance before your visit.
Opening Hours: Generally 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with the gates open every day
Last Entry: Usually around 3:30 PM, leaving limited time for exploration if you arrive late
Time to Spend: Allow around 2 hours to explore the meditation pods, lecture hall, and murals. Photography enthusiasts might prefer closer to 3 hours.
Quietest Hour: Arrive near opening time, when soft morning light filters through the trees and the paths are quieter.
The Beatles Ashram entry fee is collected at the forest department counter near the entrance, with different rates for Indian and foreign visitors. Since prices have changed over time, check the latest rates displayed at the counter before purchasing your ticket.
Tickets and Photography
Indian Visitors: Entry starts at approximately INR 150 per adult.
Foreign Visitors: Entry starts at approximately INR 600 per adult.
Phone and Still Cameras: Personal photography is generally free, making it easy to capture the murals and meditation pods.
Video and Drones: Video recording attracts a separate fee, while drone use requires forest department permission.
Payment: Carry cash in small denominations, as card payment facilities might not be available.
October to March is the best time to visit the Beatles Ashram, when the forest paths are inviting, and the weather suits a leisurely walk.
October to November: The monsoon greenery lingers, the air turns crisp, and the forest paths are pleasant to explore.
December to January: Mornings are colder and often misty, lending the meditation pods and abandoned halls a quieter atmosphere. Carry a light jacket for your visit.
February to March: The weather remains pleasant for walking through the compound and exploring its murals.
April to June: Temperatures rise steadily, with May afternoons growing particularly hot beneath the trees. Plan your walk for the cooler morning hours.
July to September: The monsoon brings lush greenery, along with slippery paths and sudden downpours. Wear sturdy footwear and keep your itinerary flexible.
Your Rishikesh Sojourn at Neemrana’s Glasshouse on The Ganges
After exploring the Beatles Ashram, head about 20 km upriver to Neemrana’s Glasshouse on The Ganges, a forest retreat in Shivpuri on the Rishikesh-Badrinath Road. Here, the Ganga flows below a wooded hillside, clouds drift across the Garhwal Himalayas, and 14 treetop rooms bring you close to the sights and sounds of the forest. Choose from Hideaway, Family, Machan, and Grand rooms, each named after a Himalayan bird. The 4 Machan rooms perch among the trees, with views across the valley and river, while private verandahs and valley-facing sit-outs bring the forest closer.
Dining brings the flavours of the Himalayas to your table, with Garhwali specialities, Trans-Himalayan dishes inspired by Nepal and Himachal Pradesh, rustic mountain grills, and familiar Indian and European favourites. Enjoy a meal on the alfresco terrace overlooking the river, opt for in-room dining, or arrange a private barbecue for an evening beneath the trees.
Make the most of your stay with sunrise yoga on the riverside beach, birdwatching, and Ayurvedic spa therapies. For a change of pace, descend the 150 steps to the Ganga's white-sand shore, head out for white-water rafting or trekking, or visit Parmarth Niketan for the evening Ganga Aarti.
Let mornings begin by the river and days unfold among the forested hills at Neemrana’s Glasshouse on The Ganges. For more ways to explore the city, follow our 2-day itinerary for Rishikesh and plan your stay around the river, forest trails, and spiritual landmarks. Book directly through our website to begin your Rishikesh getaway.