Volunteering in an Ashram
The kids were so energetic. Even after lots of gardening, learning and football, they would hand wash their clothes, which involved a lot of vigorous (and we suspect competitive, from the noise) beating of the fabric. The ashram has a washing machine, but this activity gives the kids another way to release their pent up energy. It was also nice for them to take a refreshing break in cold water when the weather got too hot. The water had to be hand pumped from the ashram’s bore hole…which used up even more energy!
Joy and Pain in Rishikesh
Rishikesh, the yoga capital of the world, is a holy town being situated on the Ganges, and a place where countless gurus – and the Beatles – have meditated over millennia. The town is deemed so holy that non-vegetarian food, including eggs (as recently ratified by the Supreme Court), as well as alcohol, are prohibited.
We took part in a few aarti rituals, where a flame is waved for the veneration of deities to a backdrop of water, singing and joy. It is said that whoever takes part in the aarti shows love for the person with whom they share it. By extraordinary luck, our visit to Rishikesh coincided with the International Yoga festival week that our sister was attending. So, our biggest joy came from being reunited on this trip for a few days.
Sitting by the Ganges and observing the holy rituals was fascinating. For over an hour, this devotee repeatedly filled his pot with herbs before dispersing them into the water, as he recited mantras. We learnt that he was performing ‘Shaadh’, a Hindu ritual which pays homage and offers spiritual sustenance to one’s ancestors on the anniversary of their death. The purpose is to ensure their well-being, normally through the offering of water and their favourite food, in the afterlife.
Volunteering for a Women’s Empowerment Charity
Adventures in Agra and Delhi
Taking in some of Delhi’s culture, we saw this amazing classical dancer at a tiny venue called Red House. The paved stage was minuscule to start with. Her dancing was so intense that some of the stones broke under her feet. Unfazed, she continued using the whole of the by now hugely diminished space as if nothing had happened. She owned the space and enraptured us with her dance. We had such an interesting discussion with her after the representation. This is when we learned that the anklets of little bells she wears above her feet are called ghungroos.
The Wedding: The reason we were in India to start with.
Bangalore
We love using Bangalore as our base in India to catch up with old friends. Familiarity can be dull, yet so comforting when you have been without it for a while…even just knowing where to find the best chai is great. In Bangalore, we rent the same beautiful apartment, we have our favourite restaurants, cinemas, theatres, supermarkets, etc and even our preferred hospitals, dentists and physios, and unlike in other parts of India, where people cannot or will not speak English, in Bangalore, our language is not an issue.
Next
After a few weeks in London to see family and friends, we’ll be volunteering at a refugee centre in Greece.
6 Comments. Leave new
Wow!!! Your blog posts get more and more fascinating. This seems like a more enjoyable experience than the last one, just joyous from start to finish.
Hope the UK isn’t too much of a come down after that. It’s cold, wet and very windy right now. Very much looking forward to seeing you soon
First I’m hearing the “getting lost in a dark allley” story! And I get it, this is exactly the kind of story I would never have told you during my travels.
C’est incroyable toutes ces aventures ! Je suis admirative ….
L’Inde est un pays fascinant et vous vous régaler de vos expériences …
Bravo à vous deux et bonne continuation.
Je vous embrasse .
Peggy. .
Bonjour Peggy, c’est un immense plaisir pour nous de recevoir ton message et tu as tout à fait raison dans ce qu’il exprime. Est-ce que toi aussi tu as voyagé en Inde et a fait des observations similaires aux nôtres? il me semble qu’il est impossible de visiter l’ Inde sans avoir d’ aventures. De ce point de vue là, c’est comme un pays des mille et une nuits (surtout dans le nord du pays) et on peut aussi bien imaginer Simbad sortant sur son bâteau de Mumbai que de Bassorah. Grosses bises et à bientôt (nous espérons)!
Well you are both inspiring, I love your photos and videos and how you present them. I love reading about where you have been and your journey. Enjoy catching up with family and friends
Nicole xxxx
wow, just . . . wow. Oh, and kol hakavod!