Cliff Richard has been enjoying a long-awaited reunion with the land of his birth. The enduring singer donned a traditional flower garland and bindi when he inaugurated a new ashram on the outskirts of the Indian city of Pune.
Despite being best-known as Britain's "Peter Pan of Pop", Sir Cliff was actually born in the city of Lucknow and spent his first eight years living in the eastern state of West Bengal. His latest holiday took him to the western side of the country, however, where he brought a touch of celebrity glamour to the opening of the Punyadham spiritual resort in Maharashtra.
The 64-year-old musician, who is deeply committed to leading a spiritual life, joined a group of Hindu priests in chanting "Om Namah Shivaya", before having his picture taken beside a statue of Lord Shiva. When asked what had drawn him back to the country, he explained that he still felt a strong connection with the populous nation. "Whenever I fill in a form I write 'Country of Birth: India'," he revealed.
Having already visited the bustling cities of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, Cliff was looking forward to taking it easy during his visit to Maharashtra. The state has some of the most breath-taking scenery in the peninsula, with the Arabian Sea lapping its coastline while further inland the Deccan Plateau rubs shoulders with a succession of steep hills called "Ghats".
The region also enjoys a relatively moderate climate, by comparison with other parts of India, with temperatures ranging between 16C and 35C. But holiday-makers should be warned that things tend to get a little soggy between July and September when monsoon rains lash the countryside day and night.
Photo: Rex
Photo: Rex
