The senses are on high alert in India. Either I'm fascinated or repulsed with what I hear, smell, touch, and see. As others have noted, visiting India is a "full-body" experience. Visually, I see what I normally don't see in the states. Garbage is everywhere. Even with signs reminding individuals "Keep Delhi (insert other places …

Continue reading 858. The Senses Encounter India

We are constantly given advice. Billboards. Grafitti. Influencers. Friends. Professors. The advice may be catchy; the advice may be dated. I ask a number of individuals in India their advice. Since I will be organizing a "Year of India” upon my return to the States, I decide to ask all sorts of folks what they …

Continue reading 860. Words for American Students

I’m exhausted. It has been a long series of connecting flights to Delhi. The passport and baggage claim goes smoothly, but lengthy. The driver gets me to my BnB without any difficulties. Then, after paying him, I realize that I don’t have any rupees left. Not good. Pravin, my BnB host, comes to the rescue. …

Continue reading 856. Relying upon Hosts, Drivers, and Guides

As a visual person, I love photographing people and places. The world is so interesting! I am acutely aware that I don’t see much beyond the lens of my camera. As I revisit my photos, I uncover two groupings that stand out. Men. Animals. Of course, there are so many other people and places that …

Continue reading 855. Seeing Slices of India

I want to see Mumbai’s Dharavi slum. Reportedly the largest in Asia. Knowing that I’m not going to walk through Dharavi alone, I joined Dava’s walking tour. My last Indian walking tour. Early that morning, five of us meet Dava. As he introduces himself, we all realize that this will be an interesting guide. Dava …

Continue reading 854. Dava’s Walking Tour of Mumbai’s Dharavi Slums

Moving around and about India isn't for the faint of heart. I walk, ride a rickshaw, hire a taxi, make arrangements for a private vehicle and driver, jump on a bus, navigate a subway system, reserve seats on trains, and fly on AirIndia. I have my limitations though. I'm not carried by porters on a …

Continue reading 853. Moving Around and About: Modes of Journey in India

I see pilgrims from Haridwar in the north, to Rameswaram in the south, from Kolkata in the east to Mumbai in the west. I ask myself: What to make of all these Hindu pilgrims and pilgrimages? There is the classic question: “What is more valuable, the journey or the destination?” In classic Hindu fashion, I’ll …

Continue reading 852. Hindu Pilgrims and Pilgrimages

One of my goals is to extend the range of my understanding India's religious diversity, both within major religious communities as well as between religious communities. Becoming familiar with Bede Griffiths and his Christian ashram accomplishes one of these goals. Spending a full day and night at the Saccidananda Ashram allowed me to talk with …

Continue reading 851. Bede Griffiths and Saccidananda Ashram

If a person has no familiarity with India, then that person might be surprised at the range of Christian communities in south India. One morning, Annamalai drives me to St. Thomas Christian sites. Here is a quiz: How many, and where, do some Christians believe the Apostles' relics exist? The answer is three. The sites …

Continue reading 850. Evidence of Christian Communities in South India