Beatle George Harrison–a Spiritual Journey- Rishikesh to Britain
In the Chaitra month of national festivities- Navratris, Ugadi, Gudi Padava, Chaitra-Sukladi and Ram Navami my thoughts turn to the time spent at the Bhaktivedant Manor in England, which is the earliest and the foremost temple amongst the 10,000 plus temples of ISKCon worldwide.
Bhaktivedant Manor is the earliest temple amongst the 10000 ISKCon temples in the world
Like the rest of the world Ram Navami is one of the most auspicious days at Bhaktivedant Manor when the high moral, ideal King, perfect son, student, brother and husband was born as Lord Ram! The celebrations schedule includes Darshan, Keertan, Drama, Prasadam & Boat festival.
Dharam marg to Bhaktivedant maor temple
Several weeks before, when we drove up the Dharam marg, I also thought about the 1960’s celebrity Rock band group member Beatle George Harrison who experienced mesmeric transcendent awakening when the entire band visited the religious town of Rishikesh, India in the 60’s which led to his quest of spirituality for the rest of his life. For years, the Bhaktivedant Manor and the famous Beatle George Harrison have been talked and written about; for he not only joined the ISKCon in Britain but also donated this Manor to them in 1973!
50th Anniversary of the Bhaktivedant Manor Temple
The sunset colours outside the temple
The setting sun created a riot of colours in the winter sky reflecting shades of orange as we caught view of the ethereally beautiful Bhaktivedant Manor enveloped in emerald greenery- a Tudor manor whose history goes back 10 centuries! Set in the serene beautiful English countryside of Hertfordshire, it is the main headquarter of Hare Rama Hare Krishnamovement. The Bhaktivedant Manor houses a temple dedicated to Lord Rama & Lord Krishna. Additionally, it was exciting to be visiting in the 50th anniversary year of Bhaktivedant Manor!
Exotic shrine in the temple set within Gold Arches pedestals
We entered the Divine residence encircled in tranquility and foliage. Inside the main door peace prevails enhanced by the fragrance of sandal & flowers. Devotees & tourists of various nationalities and colors greet the eye. The brown & white skins; the blue, green, black & brown eyes; all seek the same Power. At the end of the hall the exotic shrine is set within delicately carved gold arches. The deities of Lord Ram, Devi Sita, Lakshman and Hanuman on one side alongwith the deities of Shri Krishna and Radha next to them are resplendent in their clothing. We were informed by the British priest that it takes upto four hours to complete the Shringhar-dress them! The musical chanting of the Mantra vibrates the air; an unforgettable experience.
Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare,
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Piggots Manor to Bhaktivedant Manor
We discovered that the Temple-Manor has an engrossing historical background that dates back to the 12th century when its oldest records state that this estate belonged to Lord Picot and later a Tudor home was built here in the 16th century. Further, it was purchased by a George Villis who demolished the old home to re-build a mock Tudor home in 1884 – as we see it today. It continued to be called “Piggots Manor” – the name derived from its original owners – Picots. Later, it was converted into a Nurses Training College which when put on sale, was bought by late Beatle George Harrison who donated it to his Guru Srila Prabhupaad. ISKcon is a worldwide extension of the 16th century Bhakti movement by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu who followed the timeless Lord Krishna.
60’s Rock band group’s Beatle George Harrison who joined Iskcon and bequeathed the Bhaktivedant Manor to the movement.
ISKCon and Beatle George Harrison
While relaxing on the floor cushions, admiring the religious paintings and ornate crystal/brass chandeliers in the main temple hall I stepped onto my Time machine to witness the Beatle Mania, whose music created a rage in the hearts of millions across the globe and affected one and all! Ironically, their own hearts were filled with uneasy noise generated by fame and fortune. Perhaps, this formed the reason for the Beatles to undertake the spiritual trip to Rishikesh India in the late1960’s. Mystic India aroused the music of peace and happiness and when the Beatles returned to England they often remembered the divine journey to India.
Beatles at Rishikesh ashram in 1968 Part 1
Just two years later Guru Srila Prabhupaad‘s disciples Sham Sunder Das & Mukund Das went to London to establish a temple and met Beatle George Harrison at the Apple Records function. George’s relationship with them developed and was further cemented when Guru Srila Prabhupaad himself came to Britain. While George became a Krishna devotee himself and included the philosophy of Bhagvat-Geeta in his lyrics, he created the Radha Krishna Record album and wrote many Krishna songs. The Hare Rama Hare Krishna mantra Record topped the charts and went on to become one of the top ten Records in the Records sales of 1970, which was quite enthralling!
The deserted ruined Beatles ashram, Chaurasi Kutiya, in Rishikesh part 1
Bhaktivedant Manor and George Harrison Corner
Next we visited the beautiful tranquil George Harrison Garden corner a part of the huge gardens; designated by Krishna devotees to his memory as he himself was a keen gardener! Strolling around the gardens I recalled reading that George Harrison provided funds to ISKCon that helped them to print the book: Krishna-The Supreme Personality of Godhead with a commentary by Srila Prabhupaad. In the following year 1973 George Harrison bequeathed this Manor as the abode of Lord Ram & Lord Krishna which is today known as the Bhaktivedant Manor. Before Srila Prabhupad passed away he left his ring for his favourite disciple George Harrison– an action of great significance!
Summer at Bhaktivedant manor Temple
Bhaktivedant Manor visited by thousands is a bystander to the devotion and compassion of the late Beatle George Harrison towards his Guru Srila Prabhupaad representing the psychedelic spirit of Iskcon. I wondered how he would he have looked/spoken in the 80th year of his life in 2023 as he passed away at 58!!
Children’s playground outside the Bhaktivedant temple – all wood
As we drove back a restlessness overcame me to visit the famed Beatles Ashram in Rishikesh-the Yoga City of the World! What was it that made Beatle George Harrison continue his spiritual quest in Britain? My prime thought was that once I am back home I must ‘Take the Trail’ to the Beatles Ashram at Rishikesh.
The vast gardens outside Bhaktivedant Manor temple
Photo Courtesy: Arvind Chopra