Hollywood actor
Gerard Butler, who is currently holidaying in India, was on a visit to Varanasi. The '300' actor turned touristy during his three-day stay in the city. Exploring the ghats, he also visited an ashram and a yoga retreat in the city.

The picture posted on Instagram by Gerard Butler of Rishikesh where he ushered in the New Year (BCCL/ @gerardbutler)
The picture posted on Instagram by Gerard Butler of
Rishikesh where he ushered in the New Year (BCCL/ @gerardbutler)
Avinav Peshwani, a hotelier and also a member of Aghor Foundation, that was visited by Butler, happened to interact with the actor while he was in Varanasi with partner Morgan Brown.
“I met Gerard and Morgan at the ashram of the foundation at Samne Ghat and also later at Dashshwamedh Ghat, where he shared his experience about India and Varanasi which he had also visited ten years ago. He told me that India is his favourite destination and Varanasi among his most loved places,” says Avinav.

Gerard Butler and Morgan Brown at the yoga retreat in Varanasi (BCCL/ @gerardbutler)
Gerard Butler and Morgan Brown at the yoga retreat in Varanasi (BCCL/ @gerardbutler)
Avinav adds, “The Ganga aarti, which he had witnessed on his earlier sojourn, has been the most magical and mystical experience of his life.”
Further reminiscing his earlier visit, Gerard told Avinav that he was on a spiritual high on reaching Varanasi then. He had meditated on the ghats and had also done a private puja.

(L) Gerard Butler and Morgan Brown at the yoga retreat in Varanasi (R) Gerard Butler and Morgan Brown spent three days in Varanasi where they mingled with the locals and also roamed about in the city (BCCL/ @gerardbutler)
(L) Gerard Butler and Morgan Brown at the yoga retreat in Varanasi (R) Gerard Butler and Morgan Brown spent three days in Varanasi where they mingled with the locals and also roamed about in the city (BCCL/ @gerardbutler)
“The actor also loved the hustle and bustle of the city which he termed as a beautiful order in the chaos,” adds Peshwani .
During his current visit Gerard also went to the Aghor Foundation ashram and spent a lot of time with the children staying there. The actor also took a dip in river Ganga during his visit and was also quite keen to know about Varanasi and its spiritual significance.

Gerard Butler and Morgan Brown spent three days in Varanasi (BCCL/ @gerardbutler)
Gerard Butler and Morgan Brown spent three days in Varanasi (BCCL/ @gerardbutler)
Later Gerard and Megan went to Rishikesh where they ushered in the new year. The 300 actor took to Twitter and Instagram to share a picture of himself in a Surya Namaskar pose and wrote “Let your light shine in to the new decade. Sending you all love. Happy New Year from the Himalayas.” Earlier he was also photographed at a talk by the Dalai Lama in Karnataka.