Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the Indian guru who encouraged the Beatles to swap hallucinogenic drugs for more natural highs and went on to build a multi-million-dollar international meditation business, died on Tuesday at his home in the Dutch town of Vlodrop. He was thought to be at least 91.

The Vedic sage, known just as the Maharishi, became one of the leading inspirations for the flower power generation when in August 1967, shortly after releasing Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, the Beatles travelled to Bangor in Wales to sit at his feet and lap up an optimistic message of universal love and world peace.