Every day, I find myself saying, “India is so colossal!” And it truly is. In just five weeks, I feel like I’ve done it all—marvelling at the terrifically towering Taj Mahal in Agra, celebrating the once-every-144-years Maha Kumbh Mela festival amongst the countless pilgrims pouring into Varanasi, paragliding over the mesmerising mountains in Lonavala, and exploring both the enigmatic Elephanta and kaleidoscopic Kanheri caves in Mumbai. Yet, even amidst this non-stop whirlwind of wonder, I know I have barely scratched the surface. I am equally overwhelmed and enthralled, fascinated by India’s immense diversity—its people, languages, cultures, cuisines, religions, and breathtaking landscapes. It’s a place that would take a lifetime to truly experience, and even that may still not be enough!
I have had such exhilarating encounters and extraordinary experiences here that I constantly find myself whispering prayers of gratitude. There are moments when my life has felt utterly surreal because India is so vibrantly vast, so overwhelmingly other from anything I could have imagined back home. And yet, beyond the spectacular sights and thrilling adventures, it is the people I’ve met who have truly elevated this journey. In a country of over 1.4 billion, it’s gotta be the people! So, as much as I’ve relished the sights, I want to share some stories of the wonderful, warm, and wise individuals who have left an indelible mark on my heart because they are the real highlight of my adventures.
On my first weekend, I visited Elephanta Island, where I met a tour guide named Chadra. Born and raised on the island, he carried himself with a quiet wisdom and infectious joy. He also makes the best masala chai! He gave me the name Champa after the flower, noticing that I wore a sei in my ear, a tradition carried by the beautiful Pasefika women in my life. After guiding me through the magnificent Elephanta caves, he graciously invited me to the other side of the island to see his peaceful village, introduced me to his daughter Mansi, and filled my heart and mind with uplifting words. He often remarked on how true wealth lies in a heart full of love, not material possessions, while also emphasising that although he lives a simple life, he is rich because he is content.
On the boat ride back to the Gateway of India, as birds hovered around and the sky melted into shades of pink and orange, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace. I could only hope that those I encountered would feel the same way after meeting me, though I doubt the Fang effect has quite the same ring to it as the Chadra effect!
And then there were the Sadhus I encountered along the banks of the River Ganga in Varanasi—holy people who have renounced worldly living. After an electrifying evening watching the Ganga Aarti ceremony, where I became just a small dot in the colossal crowd, I sat on the steps, absorbing the energy of this spectacular spiritual place. A Sadhu sitting nearby caught my eye. His hair stood tall like a tower, his wrists were adorned with colourful bangles, and his presence was effortlessly magnetic. He was like the human form of infinite aura. He must have sensed someone quietly admiring him because he turned around, smiled, and beckoned me over. I was ecstatic.
His name was Shiva Maroti. We shared a conversation while watching the celebrations unfold along the riverbanks. He also wanted me to take photos of him posing with his hair, laughing each time I showed him. “You have really nice skin,” I would tell him, and he’d laugh even harder. Between this impromptu photoshoot, pilgrims approached him for blessings, but what made him truly unforgettable was his kind eyes—windows to a soul that was simultaneously brimming with life and at peace.
The hospitality I have experienced here has only added to these treasured memories. From drivers and tour guides to accommodation staff and tailors, to strangers who, without hesitation, would lend me a helping hand—or drape my saree—I have been met with kindness at every turn. Hardworking, humble, and honest, I have seen the face of God in so many of the people I have met, and through their kindness, I have felt His love and protection.
In Lonavala, after a long day with a wonderfully patient rickshaw driver named Akash, he told me, “Guests are like a god here.” I interjected with a laugh, “God is God. I’m just a nobody exploring your country.” But the incredible people I’ve crossed paths with here have made me feel like somebody special. And I am beyond grateful to them. May God bless them all.
I will miss India, but I have certainly created enough wholesome memories here to keep me running for another lifetime. Perhaps another lifetime where I can continue chipping away at the surface of this colossal and divine place.