Incredible India

I was fortunate to be a part of a life changing trip to India. My daughter and I had the opportunity of meditating each morning and attend classes, “Unlock the Power of your Brain”. In addition to the classes we explored the “Golden Triangle of India”. The Golden Triangle consists of Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur. India is the most spiritual and cultural place I have ever been. I have been a travel agent for over 30 years, and traveled the globe, but India was an eye opener for me.

The flight was over 19 hours and upon arrival we headed to our hotel . India has over 1.2 Billion people and possible more that live on the streets. The capitol city of Delhi alone has over 2.4 million people. The next morning we went on a four hour cycle Rickshaw ride through the narrow streets and bazaars in Old Delhi. I was amazed at how they drive. They occupy every inch of space and their horns never stop honking. I would never recommend driving. Old Delhi was a culture shock as we weaved in and out of the alleys of the shopping area of Chandni Chowk. It was a little scary but a must-do, in order to capture the life of the lower class. We were in a colorful rickshaw pedaled by one person, but they also have auto rickshaws which you will even see on the highways. In Old Delhi, we visited Raju Ghat (the memorial site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated), Red Fort (was the residence of the Mughal emperors), Sikh Temple, Hindu Temple and Lotus Temple. At the temples we saw and felt the spiritual worshipping around us. It was a feeling and sight to behold.

In New Delhi, we saw a lot of Government Buildings, consulates, and the famous “India Gate”, which is a memorial to 82,000 soldiers of the undivided Indian Army who died in the in the First World War.

Next stop was Agra, home of the “Taj Mahal”, one of the seven wonders of the world. The love story of Shah Jahans was just as beautiful as this memorial to his beloved wife. It took seven years to build and over 20,000 men. You must go their and hear the story. It will bring tears to your eyes. In Agra, we also visited the Agra Fort where emperors sat on the Peacock Throne and met with foreign ambassadors. We stopped at a village and donated gifts for the children that we had brought from home. What a heart warming feeling to see their smiles and gratitude.

Our last stop was my favorite, “Jaipur”. It is called the “pink city”. Maharaja Ram Singl of Jaipur painted the whole city pink to welcome the Prince of Wales and Queen Victoria in 1876. In Jaipur we got to ride an Elephant at Amber Fort Palace, which was one of the highlights of my trip. We stopped at a factory that makes beautiful inticate rugs. We even got the visit “The Monkey Temple”. Here is a series of temples, with a natural spring, high of the hill which flows down to sacred kunds (water tanks), where pilgrams bathed. It is believed that a Saint named Galav lived here, practiced meditation, and did penance. Currently it is home to thousands of monkeys. This site was featured in National Geographic Channel’s Rebel Monkeys series. I was interesting but beware of the monkeys that jump all over you and will to pick your scalp.

I highly recommend visiting India. You must see for yourself the amazing country that it is. It will change your life.

“A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes.” -Mahatma Gandhi

Cheers!
Darlene Wiberg
Morris Murdock Travel of Draper
(801) 483-5240