Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's Ashram "Shankaracharya Nagar" (Rishikesh) — Attraction in Uttarakhand

The Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram, fondly known as the ‘Beatles Ashram’ is now just an abandoned ashram in Rishikesh, earlier being the home to pilgrims from all parts of the world. The Maharishi Mahesh Yogi ashram is located in a beautiful spot within the Rajaji National Park, with the majestic Ganga rustling gently past it. It was the refuge of the band members of the legendary English rock band The Beatles in 1968. Though over time, it fell into oblivion with now recently the Forest Department of Uttarakhand reviving it as an eco-friendly tourist destination.

As we paid the mandatory entry fee of 150INR (600INR for foreigners), we walked upwards a gentle slope bordered with amazing wall art, leading into the premises of the Ashram. Little we were to know it was just the beginning. A stone clad path over mud pleasantly made us company as we walked further into the jungle. On the front side after the entrance lied Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram, however the Beatles stayed at the back side of this Ashram. The three Ashramas where the Beatles stayed had separate names which were Janak Puri, Anand Puri and Siddha Puri. We saw graffiti everywhere we looked and realized we would not be able to identify the ones made in 1960s.

We walked on further under the red-hot sun and sighted what were the tiny huts known as meditation chambers, which were hard to get into (because of the dwarf-sized doors) but displayed phenomenal works of paint and brush. A total of 84 meditation chambers dot the compound of the Ashram. Made of rocks, they are equipped with all modern facilities like electricity, water and proper western toilets. A thing that came to my notice was that Beatles lyrics were everywhere in acts of vandalism, which made the place have a very rebel vibe. Other types of art painted were in Indian, Western and even contemporary modern art style.

Venturing further we explored the ruined buildings around the complex, which due to neglect and abandonment were devoid of any kind of electricity and had vines growing on them. An eerie feeling persisted in our guts, as we walked inside them in the dark. A number of art ranging from Beatles art, graffiti, quotes and pop-culture references were also written on just about every wall of every room.

The Beatles Cathedral Gallery was previously used as a lecture hall, now it was full of beautiful graffiti all around and also has a stage, where once upon a time the Beatles could have performed. It was the largest open room in the Ashram and we could imagine the footsteps of the maestros themselves, with the rustling of the leaves outside. We took a minute and just sat there in awe, staring at the art, staring into ourselves. It was an introspective session, a fitting end to our day diving into a past long gone, in a place long abandoned.

A must visit place for everyone visiting Rishikesh, especially...

what a place, Maharishi ashram, nicely built with amazing views and love the small personalized huts.

In February 1968, the English rock band the Beatles travelled to Rishikesh in northern India to take part in an advanced Transcendental Meditation (TM) training course at the ashram of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. The visit followed the group's denunciation of drugs in favour of TM, and received widespread media attention. Led by George Harrison's commitment,1 the band's interest in the Maharishi's teachings changed Western attitudes about Indian spirituality and encouraged the study of Transcendental Meditation.[3] The visit was also the most productive period for the band's songwriting.

The Beatles had intended to join the Maharishi in India soon after attending his seminar in Bangor, in Wales, in late August 1967. Their attendance at the seminar was cut short by the death of their manager, Brian Epstein, after which they committed to making a television film, Magical Mystery Tour. Convinced of the merits of TM, Harrison and John Lennon became spokesmen for the Maharishi's Spiritual Regeneration Movement, as he gained international prominence as the guru to the Beatles. The band members arrived in India in mid February 1968, along with their wives, girlfriends, assistants, and numerous reporters. They joined a group of 60 people who were training to be TM teachers; among the other celebrity meditators were musicians Donovan, Mike Love and Paul Horn, and actress Mia Farrow. While there, Lennon, Paul McCartney and Harrison wrote many songs, and Ringo Starr finished writing his first. Eighteen of those songs were recorded for The Beatles ("the White Album"), two songs appeared on the Abbey Road album, and others were used for various...

This ashram established by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in 1961 used to be the center of yoga, meditation and education during its good days. This ashram, set in the picturesque environment of the forest, was also home to the The Beatles, who were once followers of Maharishi, they visited in February/April 1968 where they written & composed songs of album known as White Album. Once it was a city full of all amenities like Bank, Post Office, accommodation facilities for - Shankaracharya Nagar. Later the ashram was abandoned by Maharishi in1990's and land reverted to forest dipartament in 2003. Gradually, this ashram was converted into ruins and then it was within the boundary of Rajaji National Park. In 2015 it was opened to tourists with an entry fee. Many foreign tourists come to see this ashram due to its association with the The Beatles group. In the old times, according to the use of a meditation,yoga student or practitioner 84 circular hut or dome type construction with all the facilities were built, due to which it has a name Chaurasi (84) Kutiya. Foreigners know it as the Beatles Ashram while its original name was Shankaracharya Nagar. This place is about 1.5 km downstream from Ram Jhula in the Swargashram area of ​​Nagar Panchayat Jonk and 500 meters downstream from the newly built Janaki Setu. Entry ticket are available at entry gate through forest check post. I am a witness of changing times of this Ashram from golden days to abandoned to ruins and also saw Maharishi Mahesh Yogi ji face face when he was residing in...