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Beatles' Indian retreat opened to public | Beatles' Indian retreat opened to public |
(about 7 hours later) | |
An abandoned spiritual retreat in the Indian town of Rishikesh where The Beatles learned to meditate has been opened to the public. | An abandoned spiritual retreat in the Indian town of Rishikesh where The Beatles learned to meditate has been opened to the public. |
The Beatles spent time at the 18-acre ashram, meditating and writing songs in 1968. Many of the songs made it onto the band's iconic White Album. | The Beatles spent time at the 18-acre ashram, meditating and writing songs in 1968. Many of the songs made it onto the band's iconic White Album. |
The ashram was run by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, a flamboyant self-styled Indian guru, who died in 2008. | The ashram was run by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, a flamboyant self-styled Indian guru, who died in 2008. |
It was abandoned by the guru and his followers in the 1970s. | It was abandoned by the guru and his followers in the 1970s. |
But the retreat, which was taken over by the local forestry department in 2003, remained a big draw with Beatles fans from all over the world. They would usually sneak in by climbing the walls or paying a small bribe to a gatekeeper. | But the retreat, which was taken over by the local forestry department in 2003, remained a big draw with Beatles fans from all over the world. They would usually sneak in by climbing the walls or paying a small bribe to a gatekeeper. |
The derelict ashram is located on the fringes of a tiger reserve. A meditation hall with colourful graffiti on the walls is the main attraction. | The derelict ashram is located on the fringes of a tiger reserve. A meditation hall with colourful graffiti on the walls is the main attraction. |
'Rustic look' | 'Rustic look' |
Authorities opened the ashram to visitors on Tuesday, and are charging Indian and foreign tourists 150 ($2.24; £1.49) and 700 rupees ($10.49; £7) respectively. | Authorities opened the ashram to visitors on Tuesday, and are charging Indian and foreign tourists 150 ($2.24; £1.49) and 700 rupees ($10.49; £7) respectively. |
"We have cleaned up the place and lined the pathways with flowers. We are making some gardens and putting some benches for visitors," senior forestry official Rajendra Nautiyal told the BBC. | "We have cleaned up the place and lined the pathways with flowers. We are making some gardens and putting some benches for visitors," senior forestry official Rajendra Nautiyal told the BBC. |
"We are introducing a nature trail and bird walk. We also plan to set up a cafeteria and a souvenir shop at some point. We want to retain the place's rustic look." | |
However visitors will not be allowed to draw on the walls on the ashram without permission from the authorities, he said. | However visitors will not be allowed to draw on the walls on the ashram without permission from the authorities, he said. |
The Beatles had planned a three-month retreat at the estate in 1968, but, according to some accounts, it descended into farce. | The Beatles had planned a three-month retreat at the estate in 1968, but, according to some accounts, it descended into farce. |
Ringo Starr went home after 10 days complaining about the spicy food. | Ringo Starr went home after 10 days complaining about the spicy food. |
Paul McCartney stayed for a month, while John Lennon and George Harrison left abruptly after six weeks. | Paul McCartney stayed for a month, while John Lennon and George Harrison left abruptly after six weeks. |
Paul Saltzman, author of The Beatles in Rishikesh, says the band wrote some 48 songs during their stay. | Paul Saltzman, author of The Beatles in Rishikesh, says the band wrote some 48 songs during their stay. |
The retreat itself - leased to the guru by the government in 1957 - was gradually reclaimed by nature after being abandoned. | The retreat itself - leased to the guru by the government in 1957 - was gradually reclaimed by nature after being abandoned. |
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