Rishikesh, a small habitat nestled at the bank of river Ganga in Uttrakhand is believed to be abode of Rishi Munis, over a period of time it is also known as capital of Yoga in the western world. In fact enthusiasts find it ideal spot for reflection and meditation, the lush green forests, clifftop views and milky white water of sacred river Ganga flowing below provides unique backdrop for seekers. Ancient temples and ashrams on the bank of river Ganga add to serenity and spiritual environment.
It was around February 1968, the group came down to Rishikesh in search of answer to their questions. stayed there for almost 45 days despite their huge commitments of dates for recording as well stage shows. The members of the group were personal guests of Mahesh Yogi, who was known in the western world for his spiritual discourses. He took this group under his wings and taught them transcendental meditation from within confines of his Ashram far away from the glare of the media spotlight and fan's galore.
Even when they took spiritual break in Rishikesh, Beatles wrote around 48 beautiful songs, which includes White Album, there and currently enjoying renewed interest, with the Ashram site now officially revamped and reopened to the public after closure for more than three decades. It is the basis of a summer vacation at The Beatles Story in Liverpool. By the way this is world's largest permanent Beatles exhibition.
Recently a collection of some rare photograph 'George. Eric and Me : Intimate Photographs Taken By Pattie Boyd' is displayed in Liverpool exhibition. Boyd, small time model, was married to George harrison from 1966 to 1977. She visited India with George along with the other group member's wives and a small entourage.
It was Ms. Boyd, who introduced group members to Mahrshi Mahesh in 1967, taking them to a talk in London, which led to them attending a retreat with him in Wales. George was already started taking interest in Indian Music.A sitar lying around the sets of Beatles movie 'Help!' saw to that, followed by lessons with sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar..Boyd wrote her auto biography in the year 1968 'Wonderful Tonight', it was named after the song written for her by Eric Clapton her husband from 1977 to 1989.
With George's interest as her starting point, Boyd had soon involved the rest of the group.It proved to be a welcome change of pace. In 1967, Beatles reached the peak of their fame, but a sense of complacency cropped up- their album Sgt Pepper's Lonely Heart Club Band included some questionable creative choices, John Lennon basing lyrics of one song on a circus poster another on a corn flakes commercial. While the Group split was two years away, by the time they arrived in Rishikesh, they all started qusetioning their own individual journey. Paul Salzman tried to sum up account of their spiritual journey in his book The Beatles in India.He documented his conversation with George Harrison in his small meditation room at Maharshi Mahesh's Ashram in which George talked about his frustration. he said, ' Like we are the Beatles afterall , are not we ? We have all money you ever dream of. We have all the fame you wish for. But is is not love. It is health.
it is not peace inside, is it ?' Even the author Salzman came to Maharshi Mahesh to over come his personal emotional problems and he felt relief.
All the four members of Beatles stayed in small Ashram days were spending in meditation, meeting with the Maharshi, eating vegetarian food at the cottages located at small cliff. But they continued to write music also.Paul mentioned in his book that one day he heard voices of Lennon and McCartney from their cottage steps playing 'Michelle All You Need Is Love' and ' Elenor Rigby' on their acoustic guitars.
It is fair to say that this could well have beenthe most high profile Ashram in the business. Even actress Mia Farrow and her sister Prudence were there during that period along with other noted musicians of the time Donovan and Mike Love of group Beach Boys. Prudence totally embraced meditation spending days in her cottage following the Ashram routine and confined to her cottage. Eventually John picked up his guitar begin to sing to her through the cottage door, 'Dear Prudence won't you come out to play ?' The song became another to feature on the White Album !
The author Paul Sulzman returned from Ashram to Delhi alongwith the Group member Ringo Starr. Ringo, the drummer of group spent 11 days. John and George left after spending 6 weeks, following after rumoured disagreement with Maharshi.
This Ashram remains an important location for Beatles' fans however. It is sad that Ashram is no more as the lease expired and the site was handed over to Forest Department. It was out of bound area as become a part of Rajaji National Park.
Beatles' fan still keep on visiting the area sneaking inside, drawing and writing on the old bunglow walls. The good news is that visitors are now allowed to explore the site as a part of their entrance fee to the park. Plans for museum, a cafeteria are also in offing, this will be a boon to the people who lived Beatles music.
For Pics thanks to The Daily Mail
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