What Are the Beatles Ashram Timings and Entry Fees in Rishikesh?
Summary
The Beatles Ashram (Chaurasi Kutia) in Rishikesh is generally open from around 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM (last entry roughly 3:30 PM) and is usually closed on Mondays. The entry fee is modest – broadly around ₹150 for Indian visitors and higher for foreign nationals, with concessions for students (a small camera charge may apply). This guide covers the Beatles Ashram timings in Rishikesh, entry fees, what to see at Chaurasi Kutia, and how to plan a visit from Faridabad. The ashram sits inside the Rajaji Tiger Reserve and is managed by the Forest Department, so timings and fees can change – confirm current details before you go.
Key Takeaways
- Timings: ~10:00 AM to 4:00 PM (last entry ~3:30 PM).
- Closed: usually Mondays (and some national holidays).
- Entry fee: ~₹150 for Indians, higher for foreigners; student concessions.
- Chaurasi Kutia = “84 huts” – the meditation domes are the highlight.
- Famous for its graffiti art and the Beatles’ 1968 stay.
- Inside Rajaji Tiger Reserve; carry ID and wear comfy shoes.
Beatles Ashram timings and entry fees
Here is a quick reference for planning your visit. Because the site is run by the Uttarakhand Forest Department (it lies within the Rajaji Tiger Reserve), exact timings and fees can be revised, so treat these as indicative and reconfirm locally:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | ~10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Last entry | ~3:30 PM |
| Weekly closure | Usually Mondays (and some national holidays) |
| Entry fee (Indian) | ~₹150 per adult |
| Entry fee (foreigner) | Higher (often ~₹600) |
| Students / camera | Concessional student rate; small camera charge may apply |
Tickets are bought at the gate. Allow about 1.5 to 2 hours to explore properly – it is a large, green campus with a lot to see, so do not arrive too close to the last-entry time. Carry a valid photo ID.
Plan your Beatles Ashram visit
Book a Faridabad to Rishikesh cab and reach Chaurasi Kutia comfortably within visiting hours.
What is Chaurasi Kutia (the Beatles Ashram)?
Chaurasi Kutia – literally “eighty-four huts” – was the ashram of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the founder of Transcendental Meditation. It shot to global fame in 1968, when The Beatles (John, Paul, George and Ringo) stayed here to study meditation. The band wrote a large number of songs during their time in Rishikesh, many of which went on to the “White Album,” and the visit is credited with putting Rishikesh on the world map.
The ashram was later abandoned and reclaimed by the forest for decades before being opened to visitors as a heritage and art site. Today it is one of the most atmospheric Rishikesh attractions – equal parts music history, spiritual heritage and open-air art gallery, set in quiet forest above the Ganga.
For Beatles fans it is close to a pilgrimage: this is where “Dear Prudence,” “Mother Nature’s Son” and many other tracks took shape. But you do not need to be a music buff to enjoy it – the crumbling domes wrapped in bright murals, the birdsong and the forest calm make it one of the most photogenic and reflective spots in Rishikesh, quite unlike the busy ghats and markets.
What to see inside
There is a surprising amount to explore across the leafy campus:
- The meditation domes (kutias): the iconic egg-shaped/beehive stone pods where students meditated – the signature image of the ashram.
- Graffiti and street art: vivid psychedelic murals, Beatles lyrics and portraits cover many walls – a favourite for photographers.
- The lecture hall and cells: where the Maharishi taught; some rooms have art installations.
- Forest and river views: peaceful walking paths, tall trees, and viewpoints over the Ganga and hills.
It is a place to wander slowly, take photos and soak up the vibe rather than rush – bring water and wear comfortable shoes, as there is a fair bit of walking and some uneven ground.
Best time to visit and tips
Visit in the morning (soon after opening) or the late afternoon for softer light and cooler weather – it is lovely for photography and less tiring than the midday heat. The overall best months are October to March, when Rishikesh’s weather is pleasant. A few tips:
- Avoid Mondays (usual closure day) – always reconfirm the current open days.
- Carry cash and ID for the gate ticket.
- Allow 1.5–2 hours; do not enter too near last entry.
- Respect the site – it is within a tiger reserve/forest area; do not litter or damage art.
- Combine it with nearby Ram Jhula, ghats and cafes for a full day.
A comfortable car for the day
Chaurasi Kutia plus the ghats and cafes – keep a clean cab and driver on hand all day in Rishikesh.
Other Rishikesh attractions nearby
The Beatles Ashram sits in the Swarg Ashram area, close to many other top Rishikesh attractions, so it is easy to build a full day around it:
| Attraction | What it is | Distance / note |
|---|---|---|
| Ram Jhula | Iconic Ganga suspension bridge | Very close, walkable |
| Triveni Ghat | Evening Ganga Aarti at sunset | ~3–4 km |
| Parmarth Niketan | Riverfront ashram & aarti | Near Swarg Ashram |
| Rafting points | Shivpuri / Brahmapuri (in season) | Outside town |
A classic day: Beatles Ashram in the morning, riverside cafe lunch, Ram Jhula and the ashrams in the afternoon, and the Ganga Aarti at sunset. Note the old Lakshman Jhula bridge is closed to the public (a new glass bridge is being built), so use Ram Jhula.
Getting to Rishikesh from Faridabad
Rishikesh is roughly 250 to 270 km from Faridabad, now about a 5 to 5.5 hour drive via the new Delhi–Dehradun Expressway – an easy weekend from the NCR. Vehicles cannot go right up to the pedestrian bridges and market lanes, and the ashram is a short ride from the main crossings, so having your own cab makes reaching Chaurasi Kutia and the other sights simple.
A Faridabad to Rishikesh taxi gives you a doorstep pickup and a driver who knows the town, so you can reach the ashram well within visiting hours. For a group vehicle or a custom day plan, a dependable cab service in Faridabad can arrange the round trip around your dates and stops.
Combining with Haridwar
Since Haridwar is only about 20 to 25 km before Rishikesh, many visitors pair the two – the grand Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri and the temples of Haridwar alongside Rishikesh’s ashrams, cafes and rafting make a wonderfully complete Ganga weekend, and it needs only a few extra hours.
You can plan a Faridabad to Haridwar cab to cover both towns on one itinerary with the same driver – the Beatles Ashram and Rishikesh’s ghats plus Haridwar’s aarti in a single, easy trip. If you have a spare morning, Haridwar’s Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi temples (both with ropeways) and the Har Ki Pauri ghats round out the trip nicely before or after your Rishikesh day.
One cab for Rishikesh + Haridwar
See Chaurasi Kutia and Haridwar’s aarti on one trip – book a single Faridabad cab, same driver throughout.
Conclusion
The Beatles Ashram (Chaurasi Kutia) is open roughly 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM (last entry ~3:30 PM), usually closed on Mondays, with a modest entry fee of around ₹150 for Indians (more for foreigners, concessions for students). Allow about 1.5 to 2 hours to enjoy the meditation domes, graffiti art and forest paths, and combine it with Ram Jhula, the ghats and the sunset Ganga Aarti for a full day. It is an easy 5 to 5.5 hour drive from Faridabad, and a pre-booked cab – optionally with Haridwar – makes the visit effortless. Always reconfirm the current timings and fees before you go.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the Beatles Ashram timings in Rishikesh?
The Beatles Ashram (Chaurasi Kutia) is generally open from around 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with last entry at roughly 3:30 PM. It is usually closed on Mondays (and some national holidays). Because the site lies within the Rajaji Tiger Reserve and is managed by the Uttarakhand Forest Department, exact timings can be revised, so reconfirm the current hours and open days locally before your visit. Allow about 1.5 to 2 hours to explore, and avoid arriving too close to the last-entry time.
What is the entry fee for the Beatles Ashram?
The entry fee is modest – broadly around ₹150 per adult for Indian visitors, higher for foreign nationals (often around ₹600), with concessional rates for students; a small camera charge may sometimes apply. Tickets are bought at the gate, so carry cash and a valid photo ID. As fees are set by the Forest Department and can change, treat these figures as indicative and reconfirm the current rate on the day of your visit.
Why is it called Chaurasi Kutia?
Chaurasi Kutia literally means “eighty-four huts” – a reference to the meditation domes on the campus. It was the ashram of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the founder of Transcendental Meditation, and became world-famous in 1968 when The Beatles stayed here to study meditation. The band wrote many songs during their Rishikesh stay, several of which appeared on the “White Album.” The site is popularly known today as the Beatles Ashram.
What is there to see at the Beatles Ashram?
The highlights are the iconic egg-shaped meditation domes (kutias) where students meditated, the vivid psychedelic graffiti and street art (Beatles lyrics, portraits and murals cover many walls), the old lecture hall and meditation cells, and peaceful forest paths with viewpoints over the Ganga and hills. It is part music history, part spiritual heritage and part open-air art gallery. Bring water and wear comfortable shoes, as there is a fair bit of walking on uneven ground.
Which day is the Beatles Ashram closed?
The Beatles Ashram is usually closed on Mondays, and it may also be closed on some national holidays. Since the site is managed by the Uttarakhand Forest Department within the Rajaji Tiger Reserve, the closure day and timings can occasionally change, so it is best to reconfirm the current open days before planning your visit – especially if you are travelling a long way just to see it.
Is the Beatles Ashram worth visiting?
Yes – it is one of Rishikesh’s most atmospheric attractions, blending music history, spiritual heritage and striking street art in a quiet forest setting above the Ganga. It is especially popular with photographers, Beatles fans and anyone who enjoys offbeat, artsy places. Visit in the morning or late afternoon for the best light and cooler weather, allow 1.5 to 2 hours, and combine it with Ram Jhula, the ghats and the sunset Ganga Aarti for a rewarding day.
How do you reach the Beatles Ashram from Faridabad?
Rishikesh is roughly 250 to 270 km from Faridabad, about a 5 to 5.5 hour drive via the new Delhi–Dehradun Expressway, making it an easy weekend trip. The ashram is a short ride from the main Ram Jhula crossing in the Swarg Ashram area. Since vehicles cannot go right up to the pedestrian bridges, a pre-booked cab that drops you as close as possible and stays on hand makes reaching Chaurasi Kutia and the other sights simple, and the trip can be combined with Haridwar.
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