The ashram, known amongst fans as the ‘Beatles ashram’, and amongst the locals as ‘Mahesh Yogi’s ashram’, is part of the Rajaji National Park that extends from Haridwar to Dehradun and beyond.
“In 1961, the Maharishi had got 15 acres of land for the ashram on a lease of 20 years,” says Dehradun-based journalist Raju Gusain who has done extensive research on the ashram and its Beatles connection. “When the lease expired in 1981, the ashram kept running for two more decades without a new lease. Then in 2000, a Supreme Court ruling ordered all staff members to vacate the premises, and in 2003, the ashram was formally shut forever.”
Ever since, weeds have sprouted across the paths, trees have grown wildly from inside many of the buildings, creepers have sneakily crawled up the walls of others, and the forest has slowly, determinedly reclaimed the ashram as its own. Although, not all of it.The 84 meditation caves, which were built for residents to live simply within their rounded walls and meditate undisturbed, still stand strong. A multistoried building that might have once housed living quarters, now stands covered in dust and leaves, its doors broken off the hinges, wind rustling through its empty corridors.Inside, the walls are a riot of colour. A big graffiti saying ‘100% Love Guaranteed’ is flanked by the Beatles on one side and various spiritual gurus on the other. Vibrant pop art covers other walls of the hall – some made with much effort by Beatles fans, and others, like names of lovers within hearts, scribbled hastily by locals.
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