by Maria Worth

It is again this beautiful time before Diwali. Five years ago, I got a glimpse into the simple and spiritual lives of villagers off the beaten track in the Himalayas.

‘Would you like to come to some villages around Chamba?’ a friend had asked. I happily said yes. He wanted to visit the people who had formerly worked as domestic helpers for his family; and bring them gifts before Diwali. After buying boxes of sweets and drawing money from an ATM, the three of us set off from Mussoorie.

The air was crystal clear, and the snow peaks shone in great splendour. How beautiful to be out in the open at the height of 2,000 metres! What wonderful surroundings the villagers live in. Blue mountain ranges were rolling, one after the other, like waves of the ocean. Kids in school uniform walked on the road. Their school may be much simpler than those in cities, yet the location is enviable and the openness of the space may be conducive for an open mind.

Our first stop was in a tiny village near the old road to Tehri town, which has been submerged in the Ganges due to the Tehri Dam. It was a steep climb down the hill. An old woman was sitting in a courtyard sieving grain. She had few teeth left, yet her smile was warm and welcoming. It was a surprise visit, and immediately her neighbours gathered, too. ‘Kursi lao’, I heard; and children brought chairs from a neighbouring house.  The woman lives alone in an old house. Her husband, who had worked for my friend’s family for decades, had passed away several years ago. Her only daughter is staying with her in-laws.

We had to stress really hard that our stomachs were very full and had no place even for a cup of tea. Yet we took water, and she sent a girl to pluck some limes. My friend had to show her how to use the zip on the jacket he had bought for her; and then the talk was mainly about people she knew from the olden times, and about crops.

When we left, she said she would come to Mussoore to see the father of my friend; who was about her age. Will she still be able to climb up the hill?  She can probably do it. Village folk are hardier than city folk.

Next, we drove to a tiny village some 30 km away. It was a two hours’ drive in wonderful surroundings. The car climbed over a mountain range, plunged down into a valley, and ended up very high up on a kachha road only as broad as our jeep. It was frightening. A mantra kept automatically repeating itself non-stop in my mind.

We were expected, because Panditji (as his former cook was called) had a mobile. Two boys waited for us at the head of the road to guide us further up to where a table had already been laid with sweets and namkeen. His three daughters are married and live nearby; and his eldest son is working in Hyderabad.

After leaving my friend’s house some years ago, Panditji became a part-time pujari (priest) in a mandir (temple) further down the hill – for Rs. 150 a month. Even five years ago, this was an incredibly meagre salary. Meanwhile he stopped going there. The climb was too tough for him. He was offered a full-time job as pujari for Rs. 1100. (No, I did not forget a zero, only Rs. 1100 for a month). It would have required him to stay the whole day and sleep in the mandir, too. He declined the offer as he felt that he was too old to live alone. If something happened to him, nobody would know. His son is sending him money from Hyderabad.

His house had two rooms with a buffalo staying downstairs, and here too, neighbours gathered straight away when we arrived. The view from his narrow veranda was truly spectacular. It became dark and the hills lit up with lights sparkling everywhere, down in the valley and above in the sky.

Lastly, we went to a house near Chamba on the new road to Uttarkashi to visit the widow of one more former help. My friend was all praise for this man who was with his family over 40 years ago in Kolkata, when my friend was still in school. Once, he went home to Chamba for a holiday. While there, he started working for daily wages on road construction. After a few days a rock fell on him and he died on the spot.

His wife was young, his only son barely two years old and physically slightly handicapped. Now his wife was in her sixties and lived with her daughter in law and three grandsons in the village and her son worked in a restaurant in Ludhiana over 200 km away.

When we reached the simple house made from mud and wood, she had just come back from Ludhiana after a check-up in a hospital. Her health is not good. She has water in her lungs. Yet her nature was very sweet and loving. It was a pleasure to be with her, her bahu and the grandchildren in the small room, which had a garlanded photo of her husband on the wall.

Their belongings were stashed away in trunks and boxes, quilts were neatly folded, and only school books were piled up on a trunk. Though she must have been tired from the long journey, apart from being ill, she enquired about everyone she knew from that time, while her grandsons were leaning on her. Her hard life has made her into a beautiful person.

I once again realized that it is neither status nor money that ultimately counts. Important is how one takes the experiences in one’s life; whether one can accept them or not; whether one has trust and faith in life or not; whether one feels support from within or not and whether one can ultimately let go of one’s life when the time comes.

While walking up to the road two young men passed us on the narrow track. “Hi!” one of them said in a tone that one hears occasionally in cities, yet it sounded odd in the village. “Where are you from?” he asked further. “Germany”, I replied. “Oh, I worked for 3 years in a restaurant in Munich”, he surprised me in German.

Driving back to Mussoorie several jackals got trapped in the light beam of our jeep. We stopped in the silent night and admired the vast expanse of flickering lights down in the valley which was Dehradun.

What a rich, inspiring day it was! I had been allowed a glimpse into different lives which are side by side on our beautiful earth. Each person is the centre of a unique, private world that depends heavily, if not fully, on the mind. The outer circumstances may be determined to a great extent. Yet the option to be at peace with one’s life seems to be open to everyone.

About the Author

Maria Wirth is a German who came to India on a stopover on her way to Australia after finishing her psychology studies at Hamburg University. She visited the Ardh Kumbh Mela in Haridwar in April 1980 where she met Sri Anandamayi Ma and Devaraha Baba, two renowned saints. With their blessing she continued to live in India and never went to Australia.

She dived into India’s spiritual tradition, sharing her insights with German readers through articles and books. For a long time, she was convinced that every Indian knows and treasures his great heritage. However, when in recent years, she noticed that there seemed to be a concerted effort to prevent even Indians and the world from knowing how valuable this ancient Indian heritage is, she started to point out the unique value of Indian tradition also in English language and shared them on her blog. She also wrote the book Thank you India – a German woman’s journey to the wisdom of yoga.

By Carolyn Bankston and Teresa Berstein

In late 2018, my dearest friend Teresa invited me to join her on a trip to India. She was arranging an Indian wedding in the US, which is her specialty, when she was invited to join the couple on an engagement photo-shoot at the Taj Mahal. We were coming up on the silver anniversary of our friendship, and this was a perfect way to celebrate. Travel for me over the past 25 years has been far and wide, but my only journey to Asia had been to the Asian side of Istanbul. Feeling deficient in checking off my bucket-list (I am a travel over-achiever) and wanting us to redeem memories from a difficult yet comical trip 20 years before, I jumped at the opportunity to travel to a country known for its diversity in culture, religion, geography and more.

Teresa, her sister and I traveled to Italy in 1998 during a sweltering July, and it was our first, and my absolute last, time on an arranged tour. There were 30 other people, with the requisite bus, tight schedule, and colorful tour operator, Dante. Throw in a good dose of immaturity, recalcitrance, impatience and fantastic humor, and we had a hellish, if not hilarious journey, which included constantly being herded on and off a bus, getting reprimanded at every turn (or literally at every stop), blowing out electrical sockets (because we brought every hair appliance imaginable and used them all at once), plenty of hurt feelings, and laughter until we cried. The stories are numerous and we have retold and enumerated our tales to each other and others ad nauseam. Because of life, and I am sure a bit of trauma from our last big trip, we had not traveled together since. And so this would be a real test of our growth individually and together.

India is a massive country – our plan was to visit, as most first-timers do, the Golden Triangle — formed by the cities of New Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. As readers will know, this is a region that had been inhabited for several thousands of years by many tribes, including some important dynasties such as the Rajputs, who were fleeing the marauding Huns and the Mughals.

After an almost 24-hour journey, we landed in Delhi and immediately set off by car for Agra to see the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. We felt the contrast with America immediately, and we were struck by and silently observed the kaleidoscope of animals, vehicles, sounds, colors and smells. Cows, sacred to the Hindu religion, were ubiquitous, walking or lying in the street, sometimes literally stopping traffic. Car horns were constant and vehicles jostled to get ahead of one another with no awareness of boundaries. And people were everywhere— street vendors, people on the way to work, children playing — all bustling about with high energy.

Smells ranged from noxious to delectable. Pollution in India is a well known fact, and it was quite something to smell the toxic fumes mixed with the delicious smells of the street vendor fare. To hear of the poverty and congestion of India and then see it in person was quite something — animals eating from litter piles, beggars, children with little clothing, no shoes, juxtaposed with luxury hotels barricaded behind large gates and walls.

Mixed in was a riot of color: shades of saffron yellow and orange, indigos, pinks and greens — on every person, structure, and vehicle. The colors seemed to shout beauty, joy, and pride of culture as a counter to the reality of a hard life. I was particularly delighted by the technicolor transport vehicles. Most were beautifully painted with Indian motifs, complete with bejewelled tassels hanging from rearview mirrors. These vehicles, and the ever-present cows, were my favorite sights as we traveled from city to city.

Our first view of the Taj Mahal was from the stunning Oberoi Hotel. This was the perfect place to nurse our jet lag with wine and delicious, aromatic Indian food. A perfect intro: sitting, sipping, nibbling, and there before us, the beautiful, gleaming dome and minarets of the Taj against a clear, blue sky.

The Taj is considered one of The Seven Wonders of The World. After a night’s rest, we arrived before sunrise to see this impressive feat of architecture up close. We were quite fortunate to gain quick entry due to my friend’s connections, and we did not experience the typical January fog that can obscure the beauty of this spectacle. Aldous Huxley, the English writer and philosopher, once wrote a scathing review of the Taj Mahal: “Marble, I perceive, covers a multitude of sins…” I am no expert in architecture, but I can only imagine this must have been some filtering through of England’s rancor and envy due to India’s liberation, because I found this to be a most beautiful jewel of architecture and craftsmanship.

However, as with all beauty in life, it is complicated, and this testament of love by Shah Jahan to his second wife, Mumtaz Mahal, is no exception. First is the myth of the workers and artisans hands being cut-off and eyes gouged out, so they could never create another masterpiece in its like. Whether or not this is true, this was a period of intense rivalry, competition and warfare. So much so that with the state in disarray, Shah Jahan lost power to one of his sons, ending in the fallen emperor being put under permanent house arrest at Agra Fort left to gaze at the monument to his deceased wife from a distance.

Walking through the main gate, our first view was in the reflecting pool, inverting and replicating its beauty and magnificence. Continuing our walk, we immediately recognized the light effect. Because of the light changes during the day and evening, the marble changes color. It was a crisp, clear morning, and as the sun rose, our first perspective showed the color moving between a gossamer and pale salmon pink. It was truly ravishing set against a stage-set, blue sky. As the morning wore on and we walked closer, the color transformed to a creamy, parchment white. Hours were spent admiring the architecture, stonework, the precious stone inlays and gardens. My favorite ornamentation inside the tomb, was the number of plant species depicted, many in intricate, inlaid stone. Upon leaving, there was yet another color change to a beautiful, pearly, almost iridescent, white. Leaving felt like walking out of a dream, a mirage. We are grateful for our incredible luck receiving such warm hospitality and perfect weather during our visit to this impressive site.

Onward to Jaipur, also known as the “pink city” due to the rosy hue of the original sandstone buildings. But first, an update on Teresa and me. Our friendship has weathered many seasons and we have matured considerably, apparent by our getting on fabulously, better than a married couple I would say. We are both strong personalities, but we have both learned the art of negotiation. This time, no drama and much laughter, which completely warmed my heart; like family but better. Anyway, back to the energetic, beautiful Jaipur — a feast of palaces, textiles, jewels, spices and snake charmers.

City Palace, built by the founder of Jaipur, King Sawai Jai Singh II, and where the Royal Family of Jaipur still resides, is a must-see for its ornately decorated entrance gates, carved marble interiors, and (always a favorite for me) the inlaid ornamentation. This is a fine example of Mughal, Rajput and European architecture combined. I particularly enjoyed the museum, which has an assortment of textiles, including carpets, Kashmiri pashmina shawls, Sanganeri block prints, Benares silk saris and silk embroideries, all rich in color and detail.

A unique site in Jaipur is Jantar Mantar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, completed in 1734, also by King Sawai Jai Singh II. He was an expert in astronomy and astrology (both sciences are embedded in Indian culture), amongst other interests. Jantar Mantar, which translates to “calculation instrument,” is the largest of 5 historical astronomical observatories in India: it features 14 astronomical instruments to view planetary positions and make astrological and weather calculations. This site is a departure from other Indian sites, not only because of its scientific and astrological significance, but because it is a piece of modern architecture built in the 18th century. Isamu Noguchi was struck by Jantar Mantar’s geometric elements and its interaction between light and space, and used them as inspiration for his own work.

One fascinating instrument is the Samrat Yantra, the largest sundial in the world at over 27 meters high (88 feet). It can tell time, day or night, with a precision of about two seconds. Its shadow moves approximately 6 cm (2.36 in) a minute, easily visible to the human eye. It has a small cupola above the instrument from which eclipses and such weather events as monsoons were announced.

The last highlight of our adventure was more than we hoped for. After leaving Amber Fort in Jaipur (another incredible site) we headed to Alila Fort in Bishangarh, also part of Jaipur and the Aravalli mountain range. This was such a special place, because, well, it’s special! But also because it was nice to have a break to relax from our marathon touring, and there could not have been a more perfect place to rest. Alila Fort is a 230-year old historic landmark converted into a boutique, luxury hotel that underwent a seven-year renovation focused on sustainable design. Painstaking attention to detail is evident everywhere you turn, mixing the exciting Jaipur Gharana architecture with modern, clean design. Truly perfect. We arrived after sundown, and driving up to the illuminated stone guard-house was breathtaking in itself. It sits atop a granite hill and, in keeping with Rajput fortress style, has turrets, many small windows, arched entrances, all in local sandstone

We were greeted warmly at the haveli (townhouse) at the base of the fort, with a pool, gym and organic garden. From here we were taken to reception, and upon entering we were completely enveloped by warmth: glowing lanterns, an incredible staff, and the melodic sound of a bansuri (Indian Flute).

Our room was in one of the turrets. It was beautifully designed — clean, spartan, yet inviting. Every morning, walking out, we were greeted by the bansuri player down below. It was mesmerizing gazing at him through the stone lattice-work outside our room.

The restaurants, one inside and one outside, were impeccable. The indoor restaurant is housed in two rooms of the former royal quarters and is perfection in Indian architecture and finishes; typical arches and columns, subtle Indian motifs, walls are finished in an original Rajasthani plastering technique. The outdoor restaurant features Indian barbecue, while musicians entertain guests who cannot help but get up and dance to the festive songs.

Different activities are offered here, and we opted for the excursion to town. We were escorted in a festive, camel-drawn carriage, not unlike the beautiful local motor-transport vehicles, except our engine had four legs and an attitude, as camels often do. We visited local weavers, ceramicists, and jewelers. The people were hard-working, warm and kind. Our stay ended with a catered lunch for two in the organic garden, gazing up at this magnificent site, contemplating our next trip.

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Last month, I visited the state of Kerala in India for the first time. Many vacation here because of its natural beauty – the never-ending shoreline, miles and miles of serene backwaters, and rich wildlife. Kerala boasts everything from delectable food to the arts to stunning architecture. However, my reason for this visit is a little different. Kerala is also known for Ayurveda.

Ayurveda is a science that I have formed a personal bond with, so much so that I decided to pursue a formal education in it. With the program came the opportunity for a clinical internship in Kannur, Kerala, and to learn from and work with Ayurvedic doctors.

An Ayurvedic proverb is, “When diet is wrong, medicine is of no use; when diet is correct, medicine is of no need.” This is something I have had the opportunity to experience firsthand here. At the Apthasree Ayurvedic hospital, seeing patients was one thing. Seeing the same patients come back with positive results was another. But, making our own medication and watching it work before our own eyes was a whole ‘nother ball game. Learning to make natural supplements from plants, minerals, and animal products such as milk, honey, and ghee was something I never expected.

As excited as I was about learning Ayurveda, I also took the time to interact with friendly locals and to explore the rich culture and heritage of Kerala that includes some of the most remarkable architecture of temples, mosques, and churches.

Needless to say, I wasn’t coming back to Florida… Okay, obviously I was. However, the next time you’re vacationing in Kerala, or anywhere in India for that matter, don’t forget to check out our country’s time-tested science that is incredibly rich and becoming increasingly popular in the West.

Happy Travels!

About the Author
Chahna Tailor is a certified yoga instructor with backgrounds in occupational therapy and health science. Occupational therapy opened up the doors of knowledge when it came to taking care of the Self first and leading a healthier life. This led her to the physical practice of yoga. Chahna deepened her practice by training in Rishikesh, India, where she studied the science behind yoga, the breath, and meditation. Chahna also practices personal training, Reiki, hypnotherapy, aromatherapy, pranichealing, and sound healing

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India is known for its rich culture, heritage, and religious diversity. Home to a diverse range of faiths, the nation’s multi-religious identity lends itself to a unique landscape for visitors to enjoy. People from all over the world visit India specifically to admire the religious sites scattered across the country.

If you are looking to add a few religious stops to your next trip to India, the following list offers a place to start.

Vaishno Devi, Jammu & Kashmir

Vaishno Devi is the holy shrine of Adi Shakti (Goddess Shakti or Parvati). Situated at an elevation of 5300 feet (1615 meters), the shrine is located in an ancient cave in the Trikuta Hills in Katra, Jammu & Kashmir. Visited by nearly 8 million devotees from across the world every year, Vaishno Devi is a must-see site.

Tirumala Venkateswara, Andhra Pradesh

Also known as ‘Tirupati Balaji’, this temple is located at the highest peak of Seshachalam Hills in Tirupati and is the richest religious site in the country. Dedicated to one of Lord Vishnu’s avatar, Lord Venkateshwara, nearly 40 million people visit the temple every year. The temple dates back to 300 AD, which adds to the historical significance of the site.

Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar

Known as the Golden Temple, this Gurdwara is regarded as one of the most sacred sites of Sikh faith. The temple attracts more than 100,000 devotees every day. More than a thousand people are fed free hot meals, known as langar, irrespective of their religion or social status, at this historic site.

Ajmer Sharif Dargah, Rajasthan

This shrine is dedicated to the famous Indian Sufi Saint, Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti. One of the most visited Muslim pilgrim sites in India, this shrine is situated at the foot of the Taragarh Hill. Its massive gates include intricate silver carvings, while the inner courtyard includes a tomb carved out of marble and plated with gold. This sacred site welcomes millions of devotees of different faiths every year.

Basilica of Bom Jesus, Goa

A UNESCO World Heritage site, the Roman Catholic Basilica of Bom Jesus is the most famous church and can be found in Old Goa, the former capital of Portugese India. The Basilica holds the mortal remains of mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier and is visited by nearly 20 million devotees and tourists every year from across the world.

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When it comes to health and wellness retreats, India is definitely at the top of the list. With so much diversity, the country has much to offer wellness travelers, whether its yoga, meditation, Ayurveda or fitness. Wellness travel allows visitors to India indulge in the holistic rejuvenation of mind, body and soul.

Add these popular wellness destinations in India to your list of must-visit locations.

Kerala

Kerala represents the ultimate destination to relax and connect with your inner well being. The state is already well known for its scenic waterfalls, backwaters, and tranquil beaches. Travelers often visit also to indulge in the most authentic Ayurvedic treatments. Known as ‘God’s own country,’ Kerala is a perfect destination to de-stress your mind and body.

Goa

Known as the most chill and laid back of Indian travel destinations, Goa is also famous for its yoga and rejuvenation retreats. The serene and soothing coastline along the Arabian Sea are a perfect backdrop for yoga enthusiasts. This tranquil state is also coming up fast on the list of must-visit Ayurveda locations in India, especially for Naturopathy.

Rishikesh, Uttarakhand

For those looking for a destination to detoxify the mind and soul within the lap of nature, complete with panoramic views, then Rishikesh is the place to visit. The destination offers a wide range of stunning, high-end yoga retreats. These retreats provide a holistic experience combining health and fitness with Ayurveda and meditation.

Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh

While Himachal Pradesh is in itself a wellness destination, Dharmala in particular, is the perfect indulgence for the senses. Located in the foothills of the Himalayas and surrounded by cedar forests, this beautiful city is home to the Dalai Lama. From massages to yoga, this city offers many amazing wellness centers, and you can also indulge in Tibetan meditation here.

Udaipur, Rajasthan

Udaipur in Rajasthan is not only synonymous with royalty and luxury, it is also a popular wellness destination. The city is set around a series of artificial lakes that enhance its beauty and also provide calmness and tranquility to visitors. Udaipur is well-known for its Ayurvedic centers and spas. Known as the ‘Venice of the East,’ yoga retreats, spa centers, and holistic wellness centers for all can be found here.

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The rich history, culture, and heritage of India has so much to offer, from mesmerizing temples and historical monuments to lavish palaces and grand hills. Some of India’s most opulent royal palaces have been converted into heritage hotels. Admire the architecture and soak up the history by spending a few nights in a palace in true Maharaja style!

These palace hotels are some of the best in India and are definitely worth a stay.

Usha Kiran Palace, Gwalior

Built in 1902 as a home for visitors of the Prince of Wales, it was later acquired by Jivajirao Scindia of the Scindia Dynasty. It is one of the most popular luxury heritage hotels in Madhya Pradesh. At the Usha Kiran Palace, you can get a glimpse of the traditional character as many original construction aspects have been retained such as the Palace’s rosewood elevators.

Lake Palace, Udaipur

When discussing palaces of India, one would be remiss to forget any mention of Rajasthan! Built in the 18th century, Lake Palace in Udaipur was the winter palace of Maharana Jagat Singh II of the Mewar Dynasty. This floating palace, in the middle of Lake Pichola, is known for its white marble walls, lily pond, and numerous gardens. This heritage hotel is now operated by the Taj Group.

Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur

Known to be one of the world’s largest private residences, this palace was named after Maharaja Umaid Singh, and is still the residence of the royal family of the Rathore dynasty. Built with sandstone and marble, this palace is spread over 26 acres and took nearly 15 years to complete.

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“This is indeed India!

…… The land of dreams and romance, of fabulous wealth and fabulous poverty, of splendour and rags, of palaces and hovels, of famine and pestilence, of genii and giants and Aladdin lamps, of tigers and elephants, the cobra and the jungle, the country of hundred nations and a hundred tongues, of a thousand religions and two million gods, cradle of the human race, birthplace of human speech, mother of history, grandmother of legend, great-grandmother of traditions, whose yesterday’s bear date with the modering antiquities for the rest of nations-the one sole country under the sun that is endowed with an imperishable interest for alien prince and alien peasant, for lettered and ignorant, wise and fool, rich and poor, bond and free, the one land that all men desire to see, and having seen once, by even a glimpse, would not give that glimpse for the shows of all the rest of the world combined.”
Mark Twain, American author

To other countries, I may go as a tourist, but to India, I come as a pilgrim.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Civil Rights activist

I like the evening in India, the one magic moment when the sun balances on the rim of the world, and the hush descends, and ten thousand civil servants drift homeward on a river of bicycles, brooding on the Lord Krishna and the cost of living.
James Cameron, American filmmaker

I noted that people are happy here in India. When I went back home, people had everything in the materialistic sense and were surrounded with abundance, but they were not happy.
Goldie Hawn, American actress

“India was the motherland of our race, and Sanskrit the mother of Europe’s languages: she was the mother of our philosophy; mother, through the Arabs, of much of our mathematics; mother, through the Buddha, of the ideals embodied in Christianity; mother, through the village community, of self-government and democracy. Mother India is in many ways the mother of us all.”
Will Durant, American historian

“India is the cradle of the human race, the birthplace of human speech, the mother of history, the grandmother of legend, and the great-grandmother of tradition. Our most valuable and most instructive materials in the history of man are treasured up in India only.”
Mark Twain, American author

“We owe a lot to the Indians, who taught us how to count, without which no worthwhile scientific discovery could have been made.”
Albert Einstein, scientist

“If I were asked under what sky the human mind has most fully developed some of its choicest gifts, has most deeply pondered on the greatest problems of life, and has found solutions, I should point to India.”
Max Mueller, German scholar

“Whenever I have read any part of the Vedas, I have felt that some unearthly and unknown light illuminated me. In the great teaching of the Vedas, there is no touch of sectarianism. It is of all ages, climbs, and nationalities and is the royal road for the attainment of the Great Knowledge. When I read it, I feel that I am under the spangled heavens of a summer night.”
Henry David Thoreau, American author

“In the great books of India, an empire spoke to us, nothing small or unworthy, but large, serene, consistent, the voice of an old intelligence, which in another age and climate had pondered and thus disposed of the questions that exercise us.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson, American author

“India conquered and dominated China culturally for 20 centuries without ever having to send a single soldier across her border.”
Hu Shih, former Chinese Ambassador to USA

“There are some parts of the world that, once visited, get into your heart and won’t go. For me, India is such a place. When I first visited, I was stunned by the richness of the land, by its lush beauty and exotic architecture, by its ability to overload the senses with the pure, concentrated intensity of its colors, smells, tastes, and sounds… I had been seeing the world in black & white and, when brought face-to-face with India, experienced everything re-rendered in brilliant technicolor.”
Keith Bellows, National Geographic Society

“From the Vedas, we learn a practical art of surgery, medicine, music, house building under which mechanized art is included. They are encyclopedia of every aspect of life, culture, religion, science, ethics, law, cosmology and meteorology.”
William James, American author

“It is already becoming clear that a chapter which had a Western beginning will have to have an Indian ending if it is not to end in the self-destruction of the human race. At this supremely dangerous moment in history, the only way of salvation for mankind is the Indian way.”
Dr. Arnold Toynbee, British historian

“The Sanskrit language, whatever be its antiquity, is of wonderful structure, more perfect than the Greek, more copious than the Latin and more exquisitely refined than either.”
Sir William Jones, British Orientalist

“They were very advanced Hindu astronomers in 6000 BC. Vedas contain an account of the dimension of Earth, Sun, Moon, Planets, and Galaxies.”
Emmelin Plunket, Author

“There has been no more revolutionary contribution than the one which the Hindus (Indians) made when they invented ZERO.”
Lancelot Hogben, British statistician

“India—The land of Vedas, the remarkable works contain not only religious ideas for a perfect life but also facts which science has proved true. Electricity, radium, electronics, airship, all were known to the seers who founded the Vedas.”
Wheeler Wilcox, American author

“After the conversations about Indian philosophy, some of the ideas of Quantum Physics that had seemed so crazy suddenly made much more sense.”
W. Heisenberg, German physicist

“The surgery of the ancient Indian physicians was bold and skillful. A special branch of surgery was dedicated to rhinoplasty or operations for improving deformed ears, noses and forming new ones, which European surgeons have now borrowed.”
Sir W. Hunter, British surgeon

“An examination of Indian Vedic doctrines shows that it is in tune with the most advanced scientific and philosophical thought of the West.”
Sir John Woodroffe, British Orientalist

“Our present knowledge of the nervous system fits in so accurately with the internal description of the human body given in the Vedas (5000 years ago). Then the question arises whether the Vedas are really religious books or books on anatomy of the nervous system and medicine.”
B.G. Rele, author

Posted on: 11-2-2018 by: Deshvidesh

Many visitors, when they first come to India, have a specific itinerary that often includes the larger cities and the famous landmarks in them. They take a few official tours, venture out of their hotel to “get the local color,” and then they return home to tell their friends that they “saw India.”

Mahatma Gandhi said that if you want to know the real India you must go to the villages.

There is some truth to that. The remote areas of the country are to some extent still shielded from the negative aspects of modernism. Of course, you don’t want to miss marvels like the Taj Mahal, but India has much else to offer and, if you have the time and the inclination, you should swing around to get some authentic desi experience.

Shojha, Himachal Pradesh

A tiny, peaceful village in the Banjar Valley that is included in the Great Himalayan National Park, Shojha is a great place to relax and introspect. Stroll amidst the deodar cedar forests and the verdant meadows. Spend time bird-watching or discovering the incredible plant variety. Visit one of the old temples, made almost entirely of wood. The weather is pleasant from April to June, but winters can be extreme.

Tirthan Valley, Himachal Pradesh

Dotted with picturesque hamlets, amidst deodar cedar forests, apple orchards, and terrace farms, with the snowbound Himalayan range in the backdrop, Tirthan Valley is a beautiful choice for a hideaway. Trek along the Tirthan river, visit the Serolshar and Parashar Lakes, and stop by villages like Nagini and Ghushai.

Mawlynnong, Meghalaya

Located in the East Khasi Hills, Mawlynnong, is renowned for its cleanliness. In 2005, it was acknowledged as the “cleanest village in India,” and for the Living Roots Bridge, formed entirely from living tree roots. Experience community living in the village and look for tree-hanging orchids in the scenic forest around it. There are many waterfalls and streams, surrounded by lush greenery, and even some incredible caves.

Visit these locations without a tight schedule. This way, if you hear about some extraordinary place from the locals, you can pivot about and go there. Don’t make travel a matter of ticking off destinations. Enjoy the nuances of the moment, to paraphrase a cliché. Get in touch with India and with yourself too.

Lonar, Maharashtra

Lonar, a small town in Maharashtra’s Buldhana district, is famous for its saltwater lake, formed by a meteorite hit in the Pleistocene Epoch and reportedly the only one of its kind in the world. The lake is 6,000 feet wide, with a depth of 500 feet, and is surrounded by a panoramic landscape, rich in some incredible flora and fauna. Visit the nearby Gomukh and Daityasudan temples, and spend time trekking in the surrounding hills.

Posted on: 11-2-2018 by: Deshvidesh

When it comes to lavishness, the palaces in India are second to none. Historically, the country was once divided into many princely states, ruled by princes who rarely stinted when it came to self-aggrandizement. The stories about their immense wealth, which included fabulous collections of gems and other expensive items, and their lavish lifestyles are legendary.

No expenses were spared in building their palaces. These were vast places, with innumerable private rooms, halls, passages, courtyards, balconies, terraces, fountains, pools, and gardens. They were extravagantly decorated with arches, pillars, tiles, decorative screens, friezes, and paintings. Some of the leading palace builders were the Rajput clans, the Mughals, the Marathas, and the various minor Nawabs and Princes.

Many of the erstwhile Indian royals retained their palaces after they lost the privileges of the privy purse and, as these palaces were expensive to maintain, they joined forces with savvy hoteliers to transform them into Heritage hotels. Quite a few palaces in Rajasthan, such as Ajit Bhawan, Udai Vilas Palace, and the Jai Mahal Palace, were so transformed, and now Indian and foreign visitors can pay hefty rates to experience, if only for a brief duration, what it was like to live in these wonderful dwellings.Some of these hotels enhance the experience with cultural shows.

Other palaces, scattered around Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and other states, are generally open only for viewing, with sections transformed into museums with excellent collections of rare and valuable historical artefacts.These include the Wadiyar Palace in Mysore, the Laxmi Niwas Palace in Baroda,the Hawa Mahal in Jaipur, and the following two palaces:

Located in Padmanabhapuram, Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu, Padmanabhapuram Palace was built in 1601 by the ruler of Venad, Iravi Varma Kulasekhara Perumal, and rebuilt in 1750 by AnizhamThirunalMarthanda Varma, Raja of Travancore. The palace complex is a magnificent example of traditional Kerali architecture, with tapering roofs, halls, corridors, pillars, courtyards, secret underground passages, and polished floors; interestingly, the floor in the Durbar Hall was made using river sand, lime, charcoal, burnt coconut, jaggery, and egg white! Another notable item is the King’s medicinal bed, made from the wood of medicinal plants. Expect to spend over two hours here. The intricate wood-carvings, painted murals and bronze lamps are not to be missed, as also the Antiquities Museum housed in the ThekeeKottaram.

Monsoon Palace

Built in 1884 by the Mewar Dynasty’s Maharana Sajjan Singh to observe Monsoon clouds, the Monsoon Palace (also known as Sajjangarh) is set at an elevation of 3100 feet on Bansdara hill in the Aravalli range and offers a grand view of Udaipur and the surrounding countryside. The sunsets are spectacular too from this vantage and the white marble palace looks like something out of a fairytale when illuminated in the evening.

While there is plenty to see in India, visitors should put the palaces of India on their itinerary. It is not simply a matter of getting a taste of how the privileged few lived back then, but about getting a sense of the country’s history. Many of the people who built these palaces and dwelled in them were extraordinary personalities and lived in extraordinary times, and walking where they once walked can be an incredible experience.

If you close your eyes, the past comes alive. You can almost hear the footsteps of the maids, the summons of the criers, the hooves of the horses, the trumpeting of the elephants, and the sounds of nagara drums and tutaris.

You may not want to take a time-machine back – history is always more romantic in the rear mirror – but it was undoubtedly an exciting world while it lasted.

Posted on: 11-2-2018 by: Deshvidesh