Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
OSHO: GURU OF SEX
Ever tried mixing spirituality with primal instincts, and garnishing with oodles of expensive trinkets? Well, Bhag-
wan Shree Rajneesh (1931-90) certainly did. Osho, as he preferred to be called, was one of India's most flamboy-
ant 'export gurus' to market the mystic East to the world, and undoubtedly the most controversial. Initially based
in Pune, he followed no particular religion or philosophy, and outraged many across the world with his advocacy
of sex as a path to enlightenment. A darling of the international media, he quickly earned himself the epithet 'sex
guru'. In 1981, Rajneesh took his curious blend of Californian pop psychology and Indian mysticism to the USA,
where he set up an agricultural commune in Oregon. There, his ashram's notoriety, as well as its fleet of (material
and thus valueless!) Rolls Royces grew, until raging local paranoia about its activities moved the authorities to
charge Osho with immigration fraud. He was fined US$400,000 and deported. An epic journey then began, dur-
ing which Osho and his followers, in their search for a new base, were either deported from or denied entry into
21 countries. By 1987, he was back at his Pune ashram, where thousands of foreigners soon flocked for his
nightly discourses and meditation sessions.
They still come from across the globe. Such is the demand for the resort's facilities that prices are continually
on the rise, with luxury being redefined every day. Interestingly, despite Osho's comments on how nobody should
be poor, no money generated by the resort goes into helping the disadvantaged. That, resort authorities maintain,
is up to someone else.
Sleeping
Pune's accommodation hubs are around the train station and Koregaon Park. Most
midrange hotels have checkout at noon, and accept credit cards. Many families in Kore-
gaon Park rent out rooms starting at about ?500. Rickshaw drivers will know where to
find homestays.
National Hotel
( 26125054; 14 Sassoon Rd; s/d/q ?750/850, cottages s/d ?550/650)
What the National can't provide in
terms of comfort, it compensates for with antique charm. Housed in a crumbling colonial-
era mansion opposite the train station, the spacious, low-end rooms in this hotel may not
match your idea of 'clean'. The cottages across the garden are more cramped, but come
with tiled sit-outs.
HOTEL
$
Hotel Surya Villa
MAP
HOTEL
$$
GOOGLE MAP
)
A
(
26124501;
www.hotelsuryavilla.com
; 294/2 Koregaon Park; s/d from ?1490/1761, with AC ?1761/2348;
bright and cheerful place with spotless and spacious rooms, this is one of the best of
Pune's midrange options. It stands just off the Koregaon Park backpacker hub, so you're
