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| UER Forum > Archived World > Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's Ashram - LITTLE ANKOR WAT - India pic heavy (Viewed 585 times) |
wizehopt
  
Location: Ontario - Mine to discover
Gender: Male
 |  |  | Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's Ashram - LITTLE ANKOR WAT - India pic heavy
< on 3/13/2011 1:12 PM >
|  | | |  "Just south of Swarg Ashram on the Ganges River, slowly being consumed by the forest undergrowth, is what's left of the original Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram. It was abandoned in 1997 and is now back under the control of the forest department, but the shells of many buildings, meditation cells and lecture halls can still be seen, including Maharishi's own house and the guesthouse where the Beatles stayed.
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In February 1968 Rishikesh hit world headlines when the four Beatles and their partners stayed, following an interest and earlier visit by George Harrison. Ringo and his wife didn't like the vegetarian food, missed their children and left after a couple of weeks, but the others stayed for a month or two. They relaxed and wrote tons of songs, many of which ended up on their double disc White Album. But rumours of the Maharishi's demands for money and his behaviour towards some female disciples eventually disillusioned all of them. 'You made a fool of everyone' John Lennon sang about the Maharishi. In later years, Harrison and McCartney went on record as saying the rumours were unfounded. The original ashram is now abandoned but nearly 40 years on, idealistic foreigners still swarm into Rishikesh seeking spiritual enlightenment from the teachers and healers in their tranquil ashrams scattered along the Ganges River."
I had originally planned on sneaking in but while looking for the ashram we were led to the front gates where a guard stood watch. Of course with most things India a few rupies got us in.
Keep in mind after talking with the guard we were told there was plans to reopen this site in a few years. so if you want to check this place out do it sooner than later.
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 After a short walk uphill we were greeted by the first set of pods.
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Pod #9 is apparently where John Lennon stayed while he was here writing the White album with the rest of the Beatles.
Upon entering the washroom was to the right, living room to the left. Stairs let up to the second floor of the pod to the meditation room.
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After passing a bunch of pods scattered throughout we finally came across something of size.
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What ever doors where left had been locked, but since there was no glass in either the windows or doors it was an easy in.
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Luckily we didn't walk into a web with this guy sitting in it. I was pretty sure this guy was dead but didn't want to risk him jumping in my face, so I left it alone.
We found a staircase around back that took us up a level and then onto the roof. Then it was off to the next find.
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Of course we were blessed with stairs to the roof as well as Beatles Graffiti. You could see where wire had been ripped right out of the walls by looters. I'm sure what ever windows hadn't been smashed ended up with the same fate.
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Walking from building to building we kept hearing loud crashed in the bushes. at first we thought it was other people but we eventually came across a huge family of monkeys.
They didn't seam to give much care to us and considering how big some of them where we didn't bother them.
[/gallery]
There were many more buildings and structures than I originally had originally thought
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Each building was different from the last. It was amazing to see so many places all built so different from one another.
This place had it all, the Bathroom with a sky roof really brought it all together.
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Next we found what looked to be the main hall.
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The roof was caving in and the walls were tagged to death.
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We attempted to contribute our tags however the dirty walls and shity marker didn't do us justice this time.
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Some where grown in almost to the point I couldn't get in. However once inside it was smooth sailing.
It was an awesome mix of colour decay and emptiness.
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Walking further back we found the kind of stuff I dream of, full on buildings.
As with everything else it was stripped bare, but still a pleasure to explore.
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The roof gave way to an amazing view and these interesting egg shaped pods
The bottom was empty but as I climbed the ladder I realized these where some kind of meditation chamber. It looked as if people would go inside and spend quite some time there. Possibly having food and water delivered to them over time.
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After chilling out on the roof and enjoying the view it was time to start making our way back. I wasn't smart enough to bring water and it was a scorcher.
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We passed a few more buildings on the way out, along with more monkeys.
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After exiting we walked down to the Ganges and dipped our feet in the cold water. One more cool find in India
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Note: After leaving we herd from some yogi looking guy that there was actually an underground meditation chamber with 84 rooms about a kilometer back from the ashram. We were too beat and hungry to go back just then but if anyone makes it out before they open it again it would be worth investigating.
WH
[last edit 3/13/2011 1:32 PM by wizehopt - edited 2 times]
Freedom lies in pastimes that are a little odd and slightly illegal!
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Imbroglio
  
Location: DFW
Gender: Male
The glass is twice as big as it needs to be.
| | | Re: Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's Ashram - LITTLE ANKOR WAT - India pic heavy
<Reply # 1 on 3/14/2011 6:12 AM >
| | | | This is one of the best finds I've seen in a long time. Those buildings are exquisitely decayed, architecturally compelling, and the site has an interesting and significant history. Well documented and photographed; thanks for sharing!
http://www.noelkernsphotography.com |
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edsel
Location: Under your skin
| | Re: Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's Ashram - LITTLE ANKOR WAT - India pic heavy
<Reply # 2 on 3/14/2011 5:47 PM >
| | | | That was a sweet find! Great history and photos
www.flickr.com/edsel12 |
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Macs Speed
Location: Ottawa
Gender: Male
| | | Re: Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's Ashram - LITTLE ANKOR WAT - India pic heavy
<Reply # 3 on 3/20/2011 7:48 PM >
| | | | Great Pics. I'd love to explore there
Knowledge is always of use to the intellect! For, nothing may be loved, or hated, without first being known. |
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Tupsumato
Location: Finland
Gender: Male
How close can you go?
| | Re: Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's Ashram - LITTLE ANKOR WAT - India pic heavy
<Reply # 4 on 4/5/2011 11:46 AM >
| | | | Surprisingly clean water for Ganges - whenever I see pics of the river, it's always on fire, there are dead bodies floating around or someone is taking a crap on the shore...
All information and details given in good faith but not guaranteed! |
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| UER Forum > Archived World > Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's Ashram - LITTLE ANKOR WAT - India pic heavy (Viewed 585 times) |
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