Bhagwan Books an Entire Luxury Motel in Himalayas
Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, the Indian guru forced to leave the United States for immigration violations, has booked an entire luxury motel in the Himalayan foothills but may face problems buying a retreat of his own, newspapers reported today.
Newspapers said the 53-year-old religious leader and about 20 close associates have booked the entire 24-room Span Resorts Complex motel near the town of Manali, about 300 miles north of New Delhi, for the next 10 weeks.
But Rajneesh, who has said he will not set up a commune in India but will live only with a few close aides, is not likely to find his permanent home in Himachal Pradesh state, newspapers said.
The Indian Express newspaper said the government does not normally allow non-residents of the state to buy property, and authorities fear an increase in the large number of foreign “hippies” engaged in drug trafficking in the Manali area.
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