Ex-Guru Seeks to Expand His Heavenly Rights

The argument centers on how many times each year the one-time guru can descend from the skies in a helicopter to a landing pad at his Malibu mountain-ridge estate, 600 feet above Pacific Coast Highway. Maharaji is seeking county permission to increase the number of landings to 36 each year, triple the number he is currently allowed.

Maharaji uses the copter for personal transport, [Linda Gross] said. "For example," she said, "when he does travel, if he's just finished an 18-hour flight in from the Pacific, it's helpful to have a 10-minute helicopter ride to get home from the airport to your bed."

PHOTO: Directional arrow (below recreational vehicle) points the way to the helipad at Maharaji's estate. / CASSY COHEN / Los Angeles Times `If (Maharaji's) just finished an 18-hour flight . . . it's helpful to have a 10-minute helicopter ride to get home from the airport to bed.'--Attorney Linda Gross