Harrison 'leaves temple legacy'

[Guest guest]

(This Article was on BBC. I can't personally Confirm it, but I can't Unconfirm

it either. So read it as you should read any newspaper articles, with a grain of

salt.)

 

Harrison 'leaves temple legacy'

The late George Harrison, a longtime devotee of Hinduism, left

£700,000 to build a temple in the holy city of Varanasi in India

according to Hare Krishna devotees.

The news came as hundreds of Harrison fans still waited expectantly

by the banks of the River Ganges in India for his ashes to arrive,

amid confusion on how they were to be scattered.

 

 

 

Harrison CDs have been selling fast since Friday

 

It had been reported that Harrison's widow, Olivia, and their 23-

year-old son, Dhani, were to immerse his ashes into the holy river -

but on Wednesday the family was said to be still in Los Angeles.

 

The former Beatle died last Friday after a long battle against

cancer, prompting worldwide mourning and tributes.

 

Prasannatma Das of the Varanasi chapter of the International Society

for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) said Harrison had dreamed of

building a temple in the city that he loved for its mysticism and

cultural riches.

 

The musician had visited Varanasi a few months ago, staying for

several days to discuss the plan for the Radha Krishna Chandra

temple, said Mr Das.

 

 

 

Harrison had a long relationship with India

 

He said it will be built on a one-hectare plot in the next five

years, adding: "The model is ready. Work would start in May-June

once we get the money."

 

Benefactors have enabled ISKCON build dozens of temples across India

in recent years.

 

But neither ISKCON nor the Varanasi administration or airport

authorities have been able to say whether Harrison's family would be

arriving to scatter the star's ashes.

 

Fans - including British and American visitors - have been waiting

by the Ganges, some flying kites inscribed with messages.

 

Tradition

 

Varshana Devi Dasi, ISKCON's spokeswoman in London, said: "They

cremated the body hours after his death.

 

"That shows that they want it to be a private affair."

 

According to Hindu tradition, a cremation must take place within 24

hours of death, and other associated ceremonies should be completed

within 13 days.

 

Harrison, 58, who died of lung cancer in Los Angeles, was cremated

dressed in traditional Indian robes as two of his closest friends,

both Hare Krishna devotees, chanted at his side.