The Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, guru and spiritual adviser to the Beatles, has died at the age of 91.

Originally from India, the Maharishi started the Transcendental Meditation movement in 1958, introducing aspects of Hindu culture to the Western world.

He went on to attract followers from around the globe in the 1960s, the most famous being the Beatles, who visited his ashram in India in 1968.

He later famously fell out with the band when he discovered them using drugs during their stay at his Himalayan retreat.

A spokesman for the Transcendental Meditation movement said the Maharishi had died peacefully, apparently of natural causes, at his home in the Dutch town of Vlodrop, on Tuesday night.

World peace

Bob Roth said that last month he had retreated into silence at his home, in the grounds of a former Franciscan monastery. "He had been saying he had done what he set out to do."

With the help of celebrity endorsements, the Maharishi - a Hindi title meaning 'Great Seer' - turned his interpretations of ancient scripture into a multi-million-dollar enterprise.

He later looked to larger themes, attempting to harness the power of group meditation to create world peace and banish poverty.

Film Director David Lynch, who has practised transcendental meditation for 34 years, said he believed the Maharishi's work had done much to bring lasting peace to the world.

'Big sorrow'

"The world appears in bad shape on the surface, but I compare it to a tree: there are yellow sickly leaves dropping off, but the Maharishi has brought nourishment to the roots. Hang on for a little while longer, it's coming."

Lynch said his feelings on hearing of the maharishi's death were mixed.

"It's a big, big sorrow, and yet, you know, he's in a very good place. He always was. Peace is coming."

The Maharishi encouraged followers to spend 20 minuted each morning and evening reciting a simple sound, or mantra, to help them delve into their consciousness.

One of his own mantras was "Don't fight darkness. Bring the light, and darkness will disappear."