Beatles photos with Mahesh Yogi to be displayed

Times of India/April 8, 2003

London -- Some rare photographs of the iconic British pop music group Beatles with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi at his Ashram in Rishikesh over three decades ago will be displayed in London for the first time on Friday.

The photographs taken by Paul Saltzman, a Canadian, show the group, including the legendary John Lennon and Paul McCartney in a relaxed mood at the spiritual centre run by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in Rishikesh in 1968.

Some of the pictures depict the Beatles, which also included Ringo Starr and George Harrison, and their entourage posing with the Maharishi while others show them taking life easy.

Saltzman, 59, now a film director based in Toronto, went to Rishikesh while he was making a documentary in India.

"When I arrived at the Maharishi's spiritual centre it was closed because the Beatles were there," he said.

"I slept in a tent outside the gates for eight days until they let me in."

Once inside, he discovered that the guests in the centre included the singer Donovan, the actress Mia Farrow and Mike Love of the Beach Boys in addition to the Beatles.

"They took me into their group", said Saltzman. "It was quite amazing. The Beatles were absolutely down to earth."

George Harrison told the photographer that the Beatles' fame and huge fortune had not brought them peace, health or happiness.

"They gave me a sense of perspective which I have kept to this day," said Saltzman.