Chaurasi Kutiya Ashram

Chaurasi Kutiya Ashram is very well planned and spacious, much ahead of its time. Situated along the bank of Ganges, it is designed to encourage meditation and encourage its members to live in harmony with nature.

The complex includes sound proof cottages for meditation and varied accommodation for students, disciples and visitors. There were preaching and meditation halls. Food was prepared in a central kitchen. The complex had a flour mill, oil mill, car workshop and was complete with a bank, a post office and a helipad. There was a network of water channels in the campus to keep it green and cool. Emphasis was on water harvesting.

Nature Trail at Chaurasi Kutiya Ashram

Nature Trail has been developed to enjoy the natural beauty of the campus. It is 1.5 Km long. The circular trail which takes approximately two hours has the forest on one side and the river Ganga on the other side. The undisturbed riverine habitat is rich in biodiversity. It is a treat to notice mosses, lichens, ferns, spider webs, wild mushrooms and other insects along with birds and butterfly.

For visiting the ashram please wear comfortable shoes and carry your own water. Eatable are not allowed inside. Most importantly, carry own binoculars along with guide books on flora and fauna. A camera is a must. There is a nominal entry fees at the gate. Permission is required from the Director of Rajaji Tiger Reserve for filming. The ashram is open for tourists in winter from November 15th - June 15th (9am - 4 pm)

Welcome at Beatles Ashram Rishikesh

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi was born on 12 January 1918. His birth name was Mahesh Prasad Varma and obtained the honorific Maharishi (meaning "Great Seer") and became Yogi as an adult. He developed the Transcendental Meditation technique and was the leader and guru of a worldwide organization that has been characterized in multiple ways including as a new religious movement and as non-religious.

 

The Beatles were one of the most popular music bands in 1960’s throughout the world. Beatles visited Rishikesh in 1968 for meditation. After this visit Rishikesh suddenly came in limelight through out the world. Beatles came here to learn transcendental meditation at Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s Ashram.

The Beatles first met Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in London (1967). Later they also attended seminar of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi at Wales. The Beatles were attracted to his meditation & teachings. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi invited them to his ashram in Rishikesh for advance learning. In February, 1968 Beatles came here at the ashram along with their family, support staff & few reporters.

The main purpose of their visit to this ashram was to get advanced training about the Transcendental Meditation. Sessions were conducted by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi himself at his ashram. According to many people this whole time of the group at Rishikesh Ashram was their most productive time period. Media was continuously tracking them during their stay. Later Beatles accepted Maharishi Mahesh Yogi as their Guru & became their disciples. Even George Harrison also arranged music concert for benefit of Natural law party which was associated with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.

Some people believe that the Beatles were feeling so much stress due to constant media attention & fame. Even their internal relations were also effected. Their tour of Rishikesh gave them new vision to their life. The Maharishi also helped the band in at the time of loss of their manager, Brian Epstein. The Maharishi Mahesh Yogi also inspired the beatles band to maintain good thoughts.

The ashram is has been closed after the death of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi on 5 February 2008 and took over by Rajaji National Park as leased has been over. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram is now also known as The Beatles Ashram.

Now the Ashram is going to open for Heritage / Nature Walk very soon. The structure of Ashram remain intact with some maintenance. Day visitor can come and experience the feel of beautiful nature, birds, and ancient time feeling when Maharishi lives here. Rajaji National Park authorities are continuous working on it.

We also wish to welcome visitors and provide the information about this Ashram with Heritage and Nature walk. We seek your support to keep this place as our heritage and remind us the true value of Yoga, discipleship and Conservation of Nature this place. We will arrange regular Guided Walk for Tourist with the permission of Rajaji National Park Authorities.