On the outskirts of the Rajaji National Park, in Rishikesh, sits the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram, a dilapidated building in the midst of trees and shrubbery that had once shot to international fame after a visit from the beloved band, The Beatles, in the late ‘60s. George Harrison, John Lennon, Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney travelled to the ashram, now popularly known as The Beatles Ashram, for a spiritual retreat under the Maharishi’s guidance along with a posse of wives, girlfriends, managers, and of course, reporters that documented their world famous stay. Unfortunately, these years may seem like the ‘golden age’ for the ashram, while numerous fans continue to visit the spot as a form of musical pilgrimage, the institution was long abandoned and almost forgotten.
It is said that that while in Rishikesh the celebrated rock band wrote close to 40 songs, many which went on to feature on the ‘White Album’ and ‘Abbey,’ including fan favourites Blackbird, Back in the U.S.S.R., Revolution, Dear Prudence and Sexy Sadie, which Lennon, it is believed, wrote about the Maharishi himself.
The Ashram was recently reopened to visitors, and one such traveller was Pan Trinity Das, a street artist who left behind more than just a few paintings during his visits. What was once the Satsang Hall stands today as The Beatles Cathedral Gallery, a community art project spearheaded by Das who recruited a group of immensely talented traveling artists. Past the broken windows, creepers, dust and spider webs lies an art gallery of incredible murals, each distinct and unique in their own way, and it all began back in March 2012 when Das first visited the Ashram in Rishikesh, “led by a musician who had asked me to create some street art visuals for a music video he wanted to shoot there,” says Das.
“My first night painting there I realized the potential of the space and devoted every waking hour painting and organizing volunteers to paint the main space, which later became known as the ‘Beatles Ashram.’ I could feel the need for some kind of collection expression of gratitude… So we payed homage to the yogic saints of Rishikesh and, of course, the Beatles,” Das explains his decision to rejuvenate the Maharishi’s Ashram.
“When I first showed up there weren’t any paintings, and within two weeks we had almost completely thrown down… but we were busted by the park authorities. I later returned for another two weeks in 2013 with my amazing wife Kyrie Maezumi, and together we repainted some of the original art that I felt was too amateur.” Most recently, Das revisited his brainchild in March 2016, spending a month creating an entirely ‘new’ Beatles Ashram with his wife along artists Miles Toland and Hope Nelson. “There is no way of knowing how many murals exist there now,” says Das jokingly. “I hope people find it to be a fresh reflection of the Ashram, and the spirit of Rishikesh. I think people can tell through the art that we love and honor the space and the magical things that went down there.”
Das and his band of artists’ makeover of the Ashram is truly spectacular and more than a sight to be seen, it’s an experience. His favorite mural, he says, is on House #12, a “7ft bearded Sadhu with a massive turban. Eyes glaring, beads hanging on his chest and a Chitari Mandala over his heart.” And of course we had to ask him his favourite Beatles song, to which he said, “haha REVOLUTION! They [the Beatles] hold a special place for me because of my Ashram experience.” Despite dabbling in different mediums of artistic expression, Das’ choice is now murals – ”I love impacting and beautifying spaces I travel to. It’s my way of saying thank you. Also, I work for an Environmental NGO called Waste Warriors in Dehradun where we donate street murals to help raise environmental awareness.” And there’s more to come for the Ashram, as Das tells us, he will continue to return to India every year, bringing something new along with him each time. ”It’s one of my favourite places on Earth and I have an all access pass since they recently made me the Art Coordinator.”
We’ve posted below a few images of the incredible works of Pan Trinity Das and the artists involved in project, courtesy of the artist. You can follow his travels around the world and see more of his work on his Instagram page and the Beatles Ashram here.
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