Hare Krishnas plan George Harrison memorial garden in eastern India

George Harrison, right, and John Lennon sit by a river in Rishikesh, India, in this 1968 photo.

CALCUTTA, India (AP) - Hare Krishnas are planning a garden in eastern India in the memory of former Beatle George Harrison, a longtime devotee of Hinduism who died last year.

"We are going to set up the George Harrison Garden at Mayapur to commemorate his contribution in spreading the messages of Lord Krishna through his music," Dayaram Das, head of the Calcutta chapter of the International Society of Krishna Consciousness, said Monday.

Mayapur is about 100 kilometres north of Calcutta.

Harrison, known as the "quiet Beatle," had a long, intensely intimate relationship with Indian mysticism, music and Hinduism. The Hare Krishna follower was beloved by Indians who appreciated his respect for their culture and religion.

In one of Harrison's most popular songs, My Sweet Lord, he chants "Hare Krishna" as he pays tribute to Hinduism's most revered god. Harrison died of cancer on Nov. 29 at 58.