The Beatles Ashram Rishikesh, officially known as Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram, or Chorasi Kutiya, is a mystical and artistic retreat nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas. Maharishi’s Ashram gained global fame in 1968 when the Beatles visited and practiced Transcendental Meditation with the Yogi. Their visit shaped their music and put Rishikesh on the worldwide map of spiritual seekers.
Today, the Rishikesh Beatles Ashram is an attraction for travelers, Beatles fans, and meditation enthusiasts alike. The blend of abandoned buildings, graffiti-covered walls, and serene natural surroundings makes it a unique place to explore.
The stunning artwork, not the crumbling structures, make the Beatles Ashram a “don’t miss” on our to-do list.
History of the Beatles Ashram
Initially established by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the Chorasi Kutiya Ashram was a meditation retreat teaching Transcendental Meditation. The Beatles arrived in 1968, seeking spiritual growth under the guru’s guidance.
During their stay, they wrote approximately 48 songs, some appearing on the “White Album.” However, their visit ended abruptly due to rumors circulating that the Maharishi had inappropriate conduct with female students.
Despite their departure, the experience profoundly influenced their music, and the ashram remains a significant part of their legacy.
Why Did the Beatles Go to Rishikesh?
In the late 1960’s, the Beatles searched for deeper meaning beyond fame and fortune. Inspired by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s teachings, they traveled to the Chorasi Kutiya ashram to learn meditation.
Their stay reflected a shift in their artistic and personal lives, introducing elements of Indian spirituality into Western pop culture. Songs like “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da,” “Blackbird,” and “Julia” were inspired by their time at the ashram.
Exploring the Chorasi Kutiya Ashram Today
Now part of Rajaji National Park, the Beatles Ashram is open to visitors. It features meditation cells, lecture halls, and striking murals by artists worldwide. The iconic “Beatles Cathedral Gallery” showcases street art dedicated to the band’s legacy.
While the ashram is no longer an active meditation center, it retains a peaceful aura that continues to draw travelers seeking inspiration.
Decay is in the air. Time and elements have had a impact on the Chorasi Kutiya Ashram. Many building are closed, or collapsed. We don’t see any signs of restoration, but we do see attempts to shore up buildings. The “Hotel’ish” building had open staircases for tourists to head up and explore. We stuck to the ground level.
How to Visit the Beatles Ashram in Rishikesh
The Rishikesh Beatles Ashram is located about 1 km from Ram Jhula. Entry costs around ₹200 for Indian tourists and ₹1200 for foreigners. We hired a driver for the day and visited the Beatles Ashram, Parmarth Niketan, and Ram Jhula.
Visitors should wear comfortable walking shoes. Exploring the ruins involves walking on uneven surfaces. The best time to visit is during the cooler months, from October to March. We visited in December and didn’t have a problem with the heat. Summers can be brutally hot, while the monsoon season may make paths slippery.
Best Time to Visit The Chorasi Kutiya Ashram
Visiting early in the morning or late in the afternoon allows for a serene experience, avoiding crowds and the midday heat. Our hotel recommended leaving at 10:30 AM, so we followed their recommendation. Unfortunately, the driver was very slow. What we expected to be a 15 – 20 minute drive (Google estimate) turned into a 1-hour slog.
Read our recommendations to help you on your India travels.
We rolled into the Beatles Ashram right around noon, much later than we wanted. It’s not been an entirely unusual experience. The drivers, sometimes hired by the day, grind the clock to kill time. We try to roll with it and accept that maybe we’ll see something new and unusual.
Things to Do at Beatles Ashram
We strongly suggest that you take a picture of the map of the Beatles Ashram. It’s easy to walk around, but we found ourselves wondering several times “are we where we think we are?” For all the brouhaha about this being the Beatles Ashram, the Chorasi Kutiya Ashram needs a few more signs to point the way to Beatles attractions. Just saying.
Explore the Chaurasi Kutia meditation domes. We wandered through the meditation domes outside the Beatles Ashram and it’s hard to imagine them as a peaceful meditation spot; they look completely trashed inside.)
Meditate in the peaceful surroundings. If you work hard, you can find a spot to tuck away and meditate. The Ashram is a tourist spot, not a meditation center, so you’ll need to be focused on finding an out-of-the-way corner. It’s not impossible, but you’ll need to work at it.
Learn about the history of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram through informational signs. A few signs will tell you how the Beatles Ashram functioned during its heyday.
Our takeaway is that the Beatles visited the Ashram, and the Ashram used that popularity from that visit to expand the facilities for more seekers. The Ashram built many structures after the Beatles visited.
There are a few signs spread around the Beatles Ashram. We walked into the post office and wandered around. I’m often curious about the “last time” a building was used. Did the occupants know that today would be it?
The “Beatles-inspired graffiti and murals” are amazing. The murals are the real reason to visit the Beatles Ashram.
Beatles Ashram Murals
While the ashram gained fame for hosting the Beatles in Rishikesh, it has recently become known for its vibrant street art. The Beatles Ashram murals transform the once-forgotten Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram into an open-air gallery. Artists from around the world have painted stunning images that celebrate the Beatles, meditation, and Indian spirituality. Walking through the Beatles Cathedral Gallery, visitors face colorful tributes to the band and their legacy.
The Story Behind the Beatles Ashram Murals
The murals at Beatles Ashram started appearing after the site reopened to visitors in 2015. The Indian government recognized the ashram’s cultural significance and encouraged artists to bring it to life with street art at Beatles Ashram.
Some murals are inspired by the Beatles’ music and their time in India. Murals of John, Paul, George, and Ringo sit alongside imagery of yogis, Hindu deities, and mandalas. These wall paintings at Beatles Ashram reflect both Western pop culture and Indian spiritual traditions, creating a unique fusion of art and history.
It’s incorrect to believe that the Beatles inspire all the murals. Many (most?) murals have nothing to do with the Beatles. Nada. If you want to find lots of Beatles murals, you will. If you want to find other murals, you will.
The crumbling walls have become canvases for self-expression. We loved the murals.
Beatles Cathedral Gallery: The Heart of the Ashram’s Art Scene
One of the most iconic spots inside the ashram is the Beatles Cathedral Gallery. This large hall was initially used for lectures and meditation but is now covered in stunning graffiti and Beatles-themed murals in Rishikesh.
Visitors can see massive portraits of the band members, lyrics from their songs, and psychedelic designs that capture the 1960’s counterculture. The artwork feels like a spiritual and musical tribute, reminding visitors of the Beatles’ impact on the world.
Though the ashram itself is abandoned, the graffiti and art at Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram make the space feel alive. Each year, new artists add their work, ensuring the site remains an evolving tribute to creativity and peace. We saw murals with current dates, and murals from a few years back. It’s a fantastic mix of skill sets.
Who Painted the Murals at Beatles Ashram?
The murals are the work of various artists from India and beyond. Independent street artists created some, while others were part of organized projects. The “50 Years of Beatles in India” celebration in 2018 invited artists to paint new murals, leading to a wave of fresh artwork.
These artists used bright colors, bold strokes, and intricate designs to bring the ashram to life. While some murals remain anonymous, others are signed, allowing visitors to appreciate the personal expressions of these talented painters.
Best Murals at the Beatles Ashram
Among the must-see murals at the Beatles Ashram Rishikesh, a few stand out to us:
The Beatles with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi – Art x Pan A tribute to their time in Rishikesh, featuring all four members alongside their guru.
We’re not sure about the title, but we know that it’s from – Miles Toland
Between Dreams and Illusions – Rishikesh Artist hemantpainuli
Holy Cow – A striking, colorful depiction of a cow from Olivia Jane
Depicted Lord Shiva – the Adiyogi, the Supreme Deity, and the Originator of Yoga – dozartian
These Beatles Ashram murals make the site a paradise for photographers, artists, and fans. Every corner offers a discovery, turning the ashram into a hidden gem of creativity. For every mural we photographed, others remained hidden from us. Reading artists descriptions of their images leads us to believe that many of the artists didn’t have a concrete plan for their mural when they arrived on site. They found inspiration from the Ashram itself.
Why the Beatles Ashram Murals Matter
The art at Beatles Ashram is more than just decoration—it represents a bridge between music, spirituality, and modern artistic expression. The murals preserve the memory of the Beatles’ journey while allowing new generations to engage in a fresh way.
These paintings also transform the abandoned ashram into a vibrant space, proving creativity can thrive even in forgotten places. Whether you’re a Beatles fan, an art lover, or a spiritual seeker, the murals at Rishikesh Beatles Ashram offer something unique to experience.
If you’re a huge Beatles fan, you can visit for a Beatles journey and not be disappointed. If you’re not a Beatles fan, visit for the fantastic murals. As the structures continue to crumble and time marches on, the drawing power of the Beatles Ashram lies in the murals and artwork. If you’re just seeking an Ashram experience, we’ve also spent time at the Yoga Niketan Ashram, so check out our thoughts about a traditional meditation experience.
Conclusion
The street art at Beatles Ashram has turned this historic site into a colorful, creative, and meaningful destination. The murals at Beatles Ashram capture the essence of the band’s spiritual journey, blending their musical legacy with Indian artistic traditions.
For visitors, exploring the Beatles Cathedral Gallery and admiring the wall paintings at Beatles Ashram is a chance to walk through history while witnessing the power of art. Whether you’re there to relive the Beatles’ legacy or soak in the stunning visuals, the Beatles Ashram murals will leave a lasting impression.
You guys really need to get out more. You’re in a rut; do something interesting, go to sleep, do something else interesting, go to sleep, eat something weird, go to sleep, stand one-legged in a pit of vipers while reciting a mantra, pass the weird thing you ate two days ago, go to sleep, etc. Definitely a rut.
You should make a break for freedom and come back to the US, getting jobs as management consultants in the soon-to-explode ERV (EV RV) industry.
Nyuk nyuk.
Last year I was in the social hour following a Lodge meeting talking to a guy about the upcoming Mardi Gras dinner. I have a story I tell about my one-and-only trip to New Orleans, so I told it. It ends with me forcefully saying that I think New Orleans is “the asshole of the United States”. I laughed heartily, wiped away a tear of laughter, and in an effort to broaden the conversation asked him where he was from.
“New Orleans”, he replied with a blank look, and took a bite of his sandwich.
We are definitely in a rut! haha. Explore, eat, sleep, poop, repeat.
“He replied with a blank look and took a bite of his sandwich.”
Oh my word. I laughed so hard. Yours is absolutely the kind of awkwardness I display on the daily. There’s so much I want to say about our travels, but then I remember someone might actually read my words. So, I am guilty of holding back so as not to offend.
On the other hand, I recently enacted milking a snake at our grandson’s 3rd birthday party to exclamations of, “Mom! Really!” In my defense, I was telling about some snake oil hand cream I purchased in Tibet. It’s pretty wonderful really. Then someone asked how they get oil from snakes. Thus the hand gesture. Steve found it hilarious, which is all I really care about. But, I guess it wasn’t my most motherly moment. 🙂 N