THE BEATLES ASHRAM IN RISHIKESH; SPIRITUAL SOJOURN OF THE 'GOLDEN BOYS'

         BEATLES , the legendary British pop band of the early 60s found their spiritual solace in the small town of Rishikesh ,in the ashram of Maharishi Mahesh yogi built on the banks of river Ganges ,also known as 'chaurasi kutiya or 84 kutiyas' .On my usual excursion to places near dehradun, i stumbled upon this amazing historical place situated in the Rajaji tiger reserve . The structural ruins of the abandoned ashram are presently maintainted and preserved by the Forest department.The ashram can be accessed through the narrow lanes and bylanes of the town from side of Laxman jhula or via the forest chowki near AIIMs rishikesh .We chose the more scenic  forest route . When we approached the entrance of the ashram , the outer facade  did not  seem  much appealing .It is only when  ascending the  uphill path towards the ashram premises, the spectacular dome shaped meditation caves starts to perkup your curiosity  into that forgotten era of history.

Walking  further inside the compound, it was a visual treat to discover treasures of past lying in ruins.A total of 84 dome stone caves lie  scattered all around the compound partially covered with wild foliage but the structures stand intact .All the caves are two storey with small stairways . 

Other then these fascinating caves, the sprawling complex consists of  buildings like residences, hostels , lecture halls, kitchen ,printing press ,etc , all presently in dilapidated state.

 Apart from the meditation domes, another intriguing piece of architecture is  the underground meditation chambers which are also 84 .These are dark narrow spaces where a person could  sit and meditate in complete silence away from the earthly distractions above.However ,today the decay and dilapidation overhead only adds to the  eerie atmoshphere surrounding the chambers making you nervous while walking across the alley between them.

Some of the building walls have been sprayed with colourful graffitis  ,which adds a pinch of drama to the otherwise drab ruins of the ashram. 

A small museum has been dedicated to the  memories of the Maharishi yogi with  his famous disciples , the beatles band boys  .Looking back to the history of this ashram, Maharishi Mahesh yogi constructed it in 1976 as International academy of meditation .He was the founder of the transcendental meditation technique and foreign devotees from all over the world flocked  ashram to train  under his guidance. But it was the Beatle boys  who brought the ashram and maharishi yogi into global limelight .The band members alongwith other renowened celebrities stayed in the ashram to learn  transcendental meditation and composed number of songs in the spiritual surroundings . The complete saga of the  rise and fall of Maharishi yogi and controversies surrounding the Beatles has been documented on various online media platforms .However, like many others i too was  unaware until i discovered this delightful historical site.

 As I wander around the place looking at the falling remnants of a bygone era of another of India 's famously controversial yogis and gurus . its hard to imagine that this place was once a thriving centre for spiritual awakening .I can picture in my mind,  men and women sitting in focussed silence in those 84 dome caves and underground chambers in search of nirvana with the sounds of river ganga flowing down  .As the sun starts to set, the mystical past of the ashram relics resonates with a haunting silence ,the layers of yesteryears lying quietly beneath it.

                                                                  

The songs composed by the Beatles during their stay are etched on the  ashram walls like a winners trophy ............. ....   ...  

                                                                     

                            Across the Universe-The Beatles

                   'words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup

                       they slither while they pass,they slip away across the
                    universe.pools of sorrow waves of joy drifting through
                          my opened mind possessing and caressing me
                                       Jai guru deva om
                         Nothings gonna change my world
                        Nothings gonna change my world
                        Nothings gonna change my world
                        Nothings gonna change my world   
            

                  Images of broken light dance before me like a million eyes
                         They call me on and across the universe
                        thoughts meander like a restless wind
                            Inside a letter box they
                           tumble blindly as they make their way
                                    Across the universe

                                    Jai guru deva om
                             Nothings gonna change my world
                             Nothings gonna change my world
                            Nothings gonna change my world
                           Nothings gonna change my world          '