Guru Vashishta (or Basistha) is credited to writing the Hindu epic of Vashishtha Ramayana (behind the scenes Ramayana). It is believed that the sage constructed this aashram and later breathed his last here.
The fact that this epic still lives on and is a part of the daily routine of innumerable houseolds of India is a clear indication of how popular this site is. The construction, architecture and beautiful locale all mix in beautifully and have resulted in the serene and picturesque aashram