The Beatles' Indian Spiritual Retreat Turned Into Tourist Attraction

The abandoned spiritual retreat in northern India, where The Beatles famously learnt transcendental meditation and wrote 48 songs (several of which later appeared on "The White Album"), has been opened to the public this weekend to commemorate the 35th anniversary of John Lennon's assassination.

The ashram, which became derelict after its flamboyant guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi abandoned the place in the 1970s, is located in the town of Rishikesh on the banks of the Ganges River.

Authorities began cleaning up the 18 acres of land several months ago to turn it into a yoga centre for tourists.

It has remained a popular pilgrimage for hardcore Beatles fans, who could sneak in by climbing over the perimeter walls, with a meditation hall decorated with colourful graffiti the main attraction.

Indian tourists are being charged an entry fee of 150 rupees (NZ$3.33) and 700 rupees (NZ$15.53) for foreigners.

India Today reports that the retreat is already offering nature walks and bird watching. There is a cafeteria planned for the future.

At present, it's not clear when the yoga centre within the retreat will open.

See photos from inside the ashram here...