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(Thursday, April 11, 1968) — John Lennon and George Harrison of The Beatles abruptly departed the International Academy of Meditation, also called the Chaurasi Kutia ashram, in Rishikesh, India, today following rumors of inappropriate behavior towards his female students by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.

The influence of The Beatles’ close associate “Magic Alex” Mardas, financial disagreements and suspicions that their teacher was taking advantage of the band’s fame have also been cited by biographers and witnesses as reasons for the band’s dissatisfaction with the experience.

Two other members of the band, Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney, had already departed Rishikesh (Starr left on Mar. 1, 1968, and McCartney returned to London on Mar. 26, 1968).

Lennon returned to London on Apr. 12, 1968. Harrison spent a couple of weeks in Madras and the south of India before returning to London on Apr. 22, 1968.

Harrison later apologized for the way that he and Lennon had treated the Maharishi, and said that the allegations of his inappropriate behavior were unfounded.