Rishikesh. The Beatles, the Maharishi and Me

Rishikesh. The Beatles, the Maharishi and Me

Author: Lovelace Cook September 20, 2021 Duration: 18:53

I wanted to see Rishikesh where the Beatles stayed with the Maharishi . . .

I'm wedged into the third-row seat of an SUV between two young girls, Israeli soldiers, and three other young Israeli soldiers, my partner and a Sikh driver with his turban. We're in the Pajar Ganj in New Delhi at a traffic light on the way to Rishikesh when there's a knock at the window.

I see a hand with long fingernails painted red and lots of bangles up the forearm. It's a he /she, a Hijra, India's third gender. The Sikh driver rolls the window down, drops some coins into her palm and we’re on our way to Rishikesh.  

Want to learn more about the trip from New Delhi to Rishikesh, the James Bond movie set in Rishikesh and how we got out of Rishikesh? Listen to my podcast, Bollywood and Books - Episode 6.

Just follow the link to my website and the web page for Bollywood and Books podcast. You can also listen on Apple podcasts, Spotify, Audible, or your favorite podcast player. I hope you'll listen in and let me know what you think. Please leave a rating and review.


Hosted by Lovelace Cook, Bollywood and Books is an audio journey that connects the vibrant dots between India’s cinematic imagination and its rich literary landscapes. This isn't a formal review show; it’s an immersive experience. Each episode uses a specific place as a starting point-be it the bustling film studios of Mumbai or the serene backwaters of Kerala-and explores the stories, both filmed and written, that give that location its soul. You’ll hear about the myths that shape local folklore, the novels that capture a city's essence, and how blockbuster movies translate ancient narratives for a modern audience. The podcast thrives on serendipity, weaving in recordings from chance meetings and spontaneous conversations gathered on the road, from the solemn banks of the Ganges in Varanasi to the tranquil hills of McLeod Ganj. It’s for anyone who believes a great story is the best travel guide, offering a deeper, more textured understanding of India through the intertwined lenses of its books and its iconic film industry. Tune in for a thoughtful, sensory exploration of how place fuels narrative and how narrative, in turn, defines a culture.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 14

Bollywood and Books
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