Rishikesh relives Beatles historic birthday bash

rajugusain

Rishikesh relive Beatle historic birthday bash

Raju Gusain
Rishikesh/ Dehra Dun, February 24
The 1968 Beatles' visit to Rishikesh is still fresh in the memories of the local people. They consider it a 'historic visit' that boosted the image of this holy township worldwide.
Claiming this, travel photographer of repute Tribhuwan Chauhan says, "Rishikesh owes much to the Beatles for making it an international tourist destination."
The Beatles traveled to India to learn meditation at Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram in the mid of February 1968. This famous band penned many memorable songs here. For George Harrison the visit was special as he celebrated his 25th birthday in Rishikesh.
The birthday function took place at a big assembly hall in the Ashram. The celebration began with the Maharishi applying sandalwood on George's forehead.
Recalling the birthday bash, Ajit Singh, owner of Pratap Music House in Dehra Dun, says, "A musical programme took place at which George played 'Sitar' for some twenty minutes. Vasudev Deshpandey and I, both associated with the Doon School's music department, were invited to perform."
"I played 'Vichitra Beena and Deshpandey sung a song. Mike Love, leader of the Beach Boys , sang a hyme about meditation and renowned folk artist from UK, Donovan also gave a small performance. The celebration lasted for some three hours. It was an unforgettable day," Singh adds.
So far so good. The hall where the youngest of the Beatles, George, celebrated his probably only birthday outside Europe is presently in total shambles.
The hall that was tastefully decorated on 25 February 1968 for George's birthday is facing neglect. People have vandalized it and broken the windowpanes, door and shattered ceiling welcomes music fans. The same is the situation with the other infrastructure at the Mahesh Yogi Ashram.
Stray animals in large number can be witnessed loitering around the 15 acre Ashram campus. The bad days for this Ashram began in 1996 with the end of the lease and the Ashram authorities silently abandoning the campus. Now it is under the control of the Rajaji National Park authorities. The forest department employees rarely visit the place and there is no question of maintaining the campus.
Expressing pain a Sadhu Giriraj visiting ashram rues, "Everyday a large number of foreign tourist visit here and ask why this place remains neglected."

Hindustan Times
New Delhi Edition (Late City)
25 February, 2005

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