Wallaroo Wanderlust: Exploring India

Welcome to Wallaroo Wanderlust, a series of blogs inviting you to travel the world with Wallaroo!

As the CEO and Founder of Wallaroo Hat Company, I love to travel the world whenever possible. Travel introduces me to new people, languages, cultures, and food. It opens my eyes to different ways of living and allows me to visit natural wonders, charming cities, and everything in between.

Travel is good for the body, mind, and spirit. 

Travel can also be restorative - a chance to escape everyday life, get much-needed rest, and work on bringing back balance.  

At the end of 2024, I took an inspirational and restorative trip to India. This Asian country has over 1.4 billion people, more than 22 languages spoken, and is home to various cultures and religions, as well as delicious and flavorful cuisine (much of it vegetarian). In addition, India boasts 43 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and features landscapes ranging from tropical beaches to the Himalayas. 

While I did get to appreciate the beauty, diversity, and gorgeous landscapes of the country, I wasn’t there to do the typical activities one might enjoy on a vacation to India, such as:

●    visit the Taj Mahal
●    take a boat ride on the Ganges River
●    enjoy India’s delicious cuisine, including its street food. 
●    witness a festival, such as the famous Holi Festival of Colors

Those are all fabulous reasons to travel to India. 

But India is also a destination for those who wish to support their health journeys, step away from daily life, and focus on wellness in a stress-free environment. This was what brought me to India last November. 

I began my trip at Vaidyagrama, an eco-friendly, authentic Ayurvedic healing clinic that offers a holistic approach to wellness. Located on the outskirts of Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, South India, this clinic features clusters of healing spaces led by experienced Vaidyas (practitioners of Ayurvedic medicine) and therapists who provide customized Ayurvedic treatments and freshly prepared medicines. 

Vaidyagrama offers authentic Ayurvedic treatments in a natural, eco-friendly environment with a vision of “Authentic Ayurveda for Universal Well-Being.” Its mission is to nurture wellness and heal illness. Also integral to its mission is serving nourishing food. 

In addition to nourishing meals, herbal teas, medicines, and treatments, Vaidyagrama offers opportunities for meditation, consultation, and participation in traditional ceremonies. 

For example, on Friday afternoons, the clinic has a “cow pooja” (Gau Pooja in Hindu) ritual of worshipping cows, as cows are considered sacred in Hinduism. In this ritual, homage is paid to cows through offerings of flowers, fruits, water, and other items, while blessings are offered through blessings and mantras. 

At the end of one’s stay at the clinic, each patient has the opportunity to plant a tree.

More information about Vaidyagrama can be found here. 
 
In addition to my time at Vaidyagrama, I spent some time in Rishikesh, the birthplace of yoga.  

Located in Uttarakhand, India, Rishikesh is known as the “Yoga Capital of the World” and serves as a gateway to the Himalayas. A spiritual town, Rishikesh attracts seekers from around the globe who want to deepen their yoga practice and connect with their inner selves. In addition to many yoga ashrams and meditation centers, Rishikesh offers adventure activities like white-water rafting, trekking, and bungee jumping. 

Visitors can enjoy the beautiful scenery along the Ganges River, explore local attractions like Lakshman Jhula and Triveni Ghat, and even participate in the profoundly spiritual nighttime Ganga Aarti ceremonies. 

Ideal times to visit Rishikesh are between March and May and September and November when the weather is best for the area’s many outdoor activities. 

My trip to India exemplifies how travel can introduce you to new cultures and people while providing a much-needed “time out” from the real world.  India was an amazing experience for me, but there are countless other destinations where you can rejuvenate your body, mind, and spirit! 

This may be your cue to begin searching for that perfect getaway!

Wherever you go, please travel safely and remember…

It’s a sunny life. Wear your hat!