Hello Fab Friends!
This week we find ourselves back in the enchanting town of Rishikesh, India. My ever-resourceful guide, Rajinder, has led me to another incredible and unexpected destination steeped in history and spiritual mystique.
So sit back, relax, and let yourself be transported back in time as we dive deeper into the stories and secrets of this remarkable place, once graced by the presence of some of the greatest musicians of the 20th century.
Spirits of The Beatles Ashram.
Echoes from Rishikesh.
Where would you go if you had the use of a time machine? Would you journey back to witness the construction of the ancient pyramids, or perhaps zip forwards to marvel at the cutting-edge technological breakthroughs of the future?
As for me, I'd set the dials to February 1968 in the serene town of Rishikesh, India.
Tucked away in the tranquil embrace of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's Transcendental Meditation Ashram, I'd settle in and eagerly await the arrival of John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
Imagine that!
How cool would it be to spend a few weeks living and meditating alongside the Beatles, getting to know them at their most relaxed, and witnessing the birth of the many classic songs destined for the White Album? Perhaps I'd even get to jam along in their impromptu music sessions! As a huge Beatles fan, the mere thought gives me goosebumps – an extraordinary rendezvous with history, set against the backdrop of spiritual awakening and musical magic.
Unfortunately, I do not have access to a time machine, but today I am fortunate enough to encounter the next best thing. Join me now as I visit the very same ashram some fifty odd years later, only to find it abandoned and virtually untouched – a forgotten haven, now reclaimed by nature.
And here's the cherry on top:
I find myself here completely alone, free to roam this forgotten time capsule at my leisure, communing with the spirits that linger here, surrounded by the echoes of the past in the tranquility of the ashram.
Ashram Arrival.
Thanks to my intrepid guide, Rajinder, I've reached the ashram bright and early. It's so early in fact, that there's not a soul in sight, not even someone to open the gate and let me in. But not to worry, Rajinder knows a secret entry.
Once inside, Rajinder retreats back to his motor scooter, leaving me alone in this secluded sanctuary now famously known as "The Beatles Ashram." I am like a kid in a candy store, free to explore the lush forgotten corners and uncover the secrets hidden in this overgrown compound.
As I wander the labyrinthine paths, I pause to snap photos of the stunning graffiti murals left over the decades of abandonment. Treading quietly among the dilapidated buildings, where encroaching vines weave through the crumbling walls, I do my best to conjure up the spirits of the Fab Four, feeling for the imprint they may have left on this once sacred site. I imagine them going about their daily routines, heading to their meditation huts, picking up their guitars, humming a brand new melody destined to top the charts.
As I explore the empty buildings, I can't help but wonder – is this the spot where George sat in deep meditation? Could this quiet corner be where John penned the lyrics to 'Dear Prudence'? Or perhaps this open space is where they gathered to play, creating melodies that would captivate the world. Each room holds the potential to connect me with those transformative moments in time.
Before long, I find myself meandering through a maze of unusual, egg-shaped structures. Peering inside, I discover each is a meditation pod perfectly sized for a single person to sit in transcendent contemplation. Choosing one at random, I settle into a cross legged position. It's exhilarating to think that any one of the Fab Four may have sat right here! I close my eyes, trying to calm the whirlwind of thoughts swirling through my mind. But instead of finding tranquility, I find myself thinking about another young man who once experienced what I had only dreamed of…
One Lucky Dude.
In 1968, a young Canadian filmmaker named Paul Saltzman traveled to Rishikesh, seeking solace for a broken heart. Upon arriving at the Maharishi Ashram, he was unexpectedly denied entry. The ashram was closed to the public, hosting a group of "very special visitors." Undeterred, Saltzman settled in for a long wait outside the ashram gates. After a vigilant eight days, he was eventually granted entry.
Once inside, Saltzman found a quiet spot by the cliffs on the banks of the Ganges to meditate and seek the peace he longed for. As he sat, immersed in the gentle sounds of the river, sounds of laughter suddenly filled the air. Opening his eyes, he was astonished to see John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr sitting nearby.
Saltzman was initially starstruck, but The Beatles welcomed him to join them. He describes these moments as very informal and relaxed. Saltzman had many conversations with them, especially with George, who was deeply interested in spiritual matters and Indian culture.
These encounters, which Saltzman captured in intimate photos, not only captured The Beatles' physical presence but also a transformative era of cultural and spiritual exploration.
A Lingering Presence.
Emerging from the meditation pod, I find myself irresistibly drawn to a large, barn-like building. Unlike the open, airy spaces and the curious egg-shaped pods, this structure is windowless, cloaked in secrecy and silence.
The cavernous space has been divided into dozens of individual meditation cells; I step inside and a chill sweeps through me. It is all too easy to imagine the ghosts of meditators past, sitting here still, lingering in a timeless limbo, waiting for enlightenment to liberate them.
Venturing only as far as the light reaches from the large open door, I peer into the inky depths beyond. A sudden grip of fear tightens around me as an inexplicable force draws me deeper, past the threshold of light into the shadows.
Distant whispers seem to call me, compelling me, almost against my will, to explore the darkest of the cells. Though every instinct screams for me to retreat, an overwhelming curiosity pulls me forward.
Suddenly, I feel I am not alone.
Each step deeper into the shadows conjures images of tortured spirits, desperate to attach themselves to a living soul in a bid to escape their eternal torment!
What lies in wait for me in the inky depths?
Stay tuned for the gripping conclusion to 'Spirits of the Beatles Ashram'.
Coming Up in Part Two:
Join me as we explore the shadows and secrets of a place frozen in time, examining the thin line between myth and reality. Who was this enigmatic figure called Maharishi, and what exactly is ‘Transcendental Meditation’ anyway? Moreover, what truths and revelations lie hidden in the forgotten corners of the Beatles Ashram?
Tune in next week as we continue our journey through the echoes of the past.
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Thanks so much for your support!
Wishing you a week filled with curiosity, enlightening conversations, and unexpected insights!
✌️❤️
Grant.
Am now filled with envy, but the nice kind of envy, meaning I'm so glad my old friend made it to such a "shrine" and more than likely sat, stood and trod where the fabbest of four did, all those years ago.
Looking forward, as always, to the next instalment Mr. Grant ☮️
Ahhh. It all becomes clear …