Beatles Ashram

Beatles Ashram is an abandoned retreat in Rishikesh, India, sitting on a cliff above the Ganges River and surrounded by dense forest. The complex holds dozens of meditation huts, stone staircases, terraces, and a large assembly hall, many covered with murals.

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi founded the retreat in the 1960s to teach meditation and closed it in the late 1970s. The Indian Forest Department reopened the ruins in 2015, now allowing public access to the overgrown grounds.

The site takes its name from the band's visit in 1968, though it is officially known as Chaurasi Kutia. Travelers from around the world now meet here to walk through the ruins and photograph the murals that connect spiritual themes with pop culture.

The complex opens daily in the morning and stays accessible until late afternoon, with cooler morning hours more comfortable for exploring. Sturdy shoes help, as paths are uneven and climb up and down among the scattered buildings.

The meditation huts were built in the shape of honeycombs, with curved concrete domes meant to provide acoustics and cooling without electricity. You can still see how the ceilings direct sound waves inward and thick walls keep out the heat.