There’s something about India. I haven’t experienced it for myself yet, and it wasn’t until I started asking more and more people why they found India so special that I’ve finally begun to understand it (and my chat with Seng Mah in this episode includes my actual “lightbulb moment”, I reckon!), but it seemed time that The Thoughtful Travel Podcast investigated a bit about what makes India the place that people come back from utterly changed.
I love this post with quotes about India and I’ll just share my favourite before letting you go on and listen to Episode 155 which is all about India, obviously …
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 MÜLLER
Show notes: Episode 155 of The Thoughtful Travel Podcast
What’s So Special About India?
India is one of those countries that people seem to visit and then rave about for the rest of their lives. In fact, it’s really the only place I can think of that I hear so much deep love for. I’ve never really understood the pull to India that many people have, but after speaking with the three guests in this episode of The Thoughtful Travel Podcast, I’m keen to go and see it for myself.
I first speak to Seng Mah, a photographer who found his first trip to India utterly life-changing and continues to return, including taking tour groups of photographers there knowing that their lives will be changed too. Seng explains the magic of India to me better than anyone ever else has.
Next, I chat with Whitney Taylor who, like me, hadn’t been particularly drawn to visiting India but found herself on a trip there. She was so amazed by it all and would go back in a heartbeat.
Finally, Marilyn Murphy tells me a little about her first experience of India, and a more recent and contrasting one. Suffice to say, India was also an incredible experience for her that she recommends to all.
Links:
- Seng Mah at Venture Photography
- Whitney Taylor on Instagram
- Marilyn Murphy from the Wow Travel Club
- Join our Facebook group for Thoughtful Travellers
I agree with Seng Mah in that India ruins you for any other country thereafter, especially Europe. I also feel that those who experience the most transformative effects from visiting India are those who are already on the path to enlightenment whether they realise it or not. It explains why some people can go there and feel nothing.
The other place that moved me in this way although it is very different to India, is the Kimberley. There is something spiritual about the vastness one cannot help but feel in awe of its wonders. I can see why the aboriginal people marked these places as sacred sites.