Spiritual Symbolism of the Lotus Flower: Transformation
As a spiritual symbol, the lotus flower possesses relevance and meaning for transformation and rejuvenation. Lotuses are perhaps the most spectacular plants in aquatic environments. The sacred East Indian lotus or Nelumbo nucifera is a species of water lilies. It is native to South Asia and grows at altitudes of up to 1,600 meters. The […]
Your Ultimate Packing List for South India
I compiled a packing list for South India based on my own experience. I usually travel with a medium-size backpack as carry-on and an old and weathered Samsonite light-weight travel bag for check-in to stay relatively light while traveling. I wear the heavy clothing like jeans, tennis shoes, and a not too heavy jacket during […]
17 Easy Tips to Plan Your Travel to South India
17 Easy Travel Planning Tips Going to South India To go on a journey all starts with the decision where to go. Questions like when and how to finance your trip are part of the process. Decide on your dream travel destination in India. Where do you want to go, what do you want to […]
21 Tips to Help You Ease Into the Indian Culture
Your first journey to India is the big unknown: what to expect? The Indian culture is different compared to the culture in the USA or any other place for that matter. With a little bit of preparation and understanding, you will have a journey of a lifetime. Here are 21 tips to help you ease […]
5 Steps To Reinvent Your Life By Traveling
“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” – Henry Miller Whenever I want to make a change in my life, I choose to travel. I’ve tried self-help books, Internet videos, and local programs – but nothing seems to work so effectively as the open road.When I engaged in meaningful […]
Tamil Family Life
A few years ago I stayed five days with a family in the South and experienced first hand Tamil family life. It was a couple whose youngest son, a 20 year old student, still lived with them. In the morning the lady of the house was doing puja, deity worship with incense, light, food offering […]
The Nadi Reader
Most of us are curious about what the future holds. Rishis were holy sages who through their spiritual practices were graced with the power of foresight with which they were able to know the future. The rishis made predictions for people who would come forward in the future for a reading. They were all written […]
Culture of Tiruvannamalai
The town of Tiruvannamalai is a small town of about 150,000 residents primarily of the lower to middle income class. It has a culture from all religious backgrounds with the majority being Hindu, is conservative and honors the guest. Parts of daily life are religious celebrations at home, at small temples, and the big Shiva […]
Climate at Tiruvannamalai, South India
In short, the climate is tropical dry; the district of Tiruvannamalai is a drought area especially during the summer. Temperatures rise during the summer months of March to June to an extreme heat similar to Arizona in the USA with 89 to 115 degrees F, 32 to 46 C. It’s hot! Some foreigners leave Tiru […]
Let the Journey Begin
Why are people travelling from all over the world to spend some time visiting India or decide on living here? Though there are several reasons for it, it requires courage, a sense of adventure, and perhaps a bit of insanity. Let’s find out. • Many US-born second generation Indians explore their roots in their native […]