George and Pattie Harrison remained in India until 22 April 1968 following their departure from Rishikesh, where they had been studying Transcendental Meditation with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.

Although they had left the ashram on 12 April, their extended stay included travel within India, including a visit to Ravi Shankar in Madras, accompanied by Pattie's sister Jenny.

"George didn't want to go straight from two months of meditation into the chaos that was waiting for him in England – the new business, finding a new manager, the fans and the press. Instead we went to see Ravi Shankar and lost ourselves in his music." — Pattie Boyd, Wonderful Today

Illness and Difficult Return

During the visit to South India, George Harrison became seriously unwell, reportedly suffering from dysentery. His condition, combined with the abrupt transition from meditation to travel, contributed to a difficult emotional period.

The return to England coincided with a depressive episode, occurring as The Beatles' Apple organisation was being established and internal pressures were increasing.

"I went to South India and got dysentery and everything that happened to me went wrong to the point that I felt… that the Maharishi had put the heeby-jeebies on me." — George Harrison

"By the time I got back to England I was no longer in the same frame of mind… everything was all screwed up at Apple." — George Harrison, Fifty Years Adrift

FAQs

When did George and Pattie Harrison leave India?

They remained in India until 22 April 1968.

Where did they visit while in India?

They visited Ravi Shankar in Madras, along with Pattie's sister Jenny.

Why did George Harrison go to India?

He had travelled to study Transcendental Meditation with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in Rishikesh.

Did George Harrison become ill?

Yes, he reportedly suffered from dysentery during his stay in South India.