BEATLES MAGAZINE: GEORGE HARRISON's BIRTHDAY IN INDIA

Monday, 1 September 2025

GEORGE HARRISON's BIRTHDAY IN INDIA

In February 1968, the Beatles were in Rishikesh, India, studying transcendental meditation with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. This journey, conceived as a quest for inner peace and spiritual growth, became a pivotal chapter in the band's history and, in particular, in the life of George Harrison. Far from the frenzy of Beatlemania, Harrison celebrated his 25th birthday on February 25 in a retreat setting, surrounded by his bandmates, their wives, and a group of disciples, rather than the usual stadiums and parties.

John Lennon and George Harrison, along with their partners Cynthia Lennon and Pattie Boyd, arrived on February 15th. They were joined by Pattie's sister, Jenny Boyd. Paul McCartney, Jane Asher, Ringo Starr, and Maureen Starkey arrived a few days later, on the 19th.

A few days after the group arrived, they celebrated George Harrison's 25th birthday. The Maharishi celebrated with them and gave George an unusual gift: a plastic globe that was upside down. The Maharishi explained the symbolic meaning of the gift, saying, "George, the globe I am giving you symbolizes the world today. I hope you will help us all in the task of putting it right."

Without missing a beat, George immediately turned the globe right-side up, jokingly exclaiming, "I've done it!"

The experiences at Maharishi's ashram not only influenced George's music but also solidified his commitment to Eastern spirituality.

According to accounts from the time, including those in The Beatles Anthology, George Harrison delved deeply into the teachings, finding a tranquility he had sought for years. This period marked a significant departure from the excesses and pressures of life on tour. George's birthday in Rishikesh was not an ostentatious celebration but a moment of introspection and camaraderie.

The stay at the ashram was a catalyst for George's creativity.

During this time, he wrote several songs that would later appear on the White Album, such as "Piggies" and "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," the latter inspired by the reflective atmosphere and his search for truth.

The serene environment and meditation directly influenced the lyrical complexity and instrumentation of his compositions, paving the way for his solo career and artistic evolution. George's birthday in Rishikesh symbolizes a turning point, a transition from a pop star to a more profound musician and thinker, whose spiritual explorations would resonate throughout his work for the rest of his life.