Page 19 - LIN_January_2023_web_version-r

INDIA TRAVELOGUE

Palaces.

Peacocks.

Prana.

by Lisa Spiller

here is no greater value than having your own expert local We continued north to the countryside of Rishikesh, “land
private guide. Our guide, Hemendre, was indefatigable, of the gods,” known for soft adventure. River rafting, ziplining,
Tguiding us to greater understanding of India’s rich culture trekking, wellness and yoga are popular here. We checked into the
and history, from the era of Moghuls, Emperors and Maharajas, Taj Rishikesh, situated on a forested hill overlooking the Ganges
to British occupation and eventually, independence. We gained River. The Ganges River is considered sacred by the Hindu
invaluable insights into the cultural harmony, tensions and culture, much like the Jordan River is to Christians. At sunset, on
tolerances between the Hindus and Muslims living together in the rocky banks of the Ganges, three Hindu priests performed
one democratic united nation. an ancient Aarti ceremony, ritually chanting the names of stars,
From Jaipur we traveled to Udaipur where we boarded a latitudes and longitudes, offering fire, water, and flowers to their
canopied wooden boat which glided across the still waters of gods for the favor of blessings to prosper us and our families.
Lake Pichola to Taj Lake Palace, a floating white marble castle We woke to do sunrise yoga with a genuine Hindu Yogi and
and former summer palace of the royal dynasty of Mewar. I have waded in the Ganges where we meditatively stacked river rocks
never in my life been received with such ethereal beauty. We were and baptized our sandalwood prayer beads.
showered with rose petals and serenaded by flutes upon arrival. From Rishikesh, we flew to Delhi. Do not be deceived by the
Taj Lake Palace has been awarded the most romantic palace in the pretenses of New Delhi, where one finds monuments, embassies,
world, top five hotels in the world, the most Instagrammable spot politicians, and all matters of sophisticated world business being
in the world, and has now achieved status as my favorite hotel in exchanged between men in stylish dark business suits. Old
the world. I never wanted to leave! Delhi, established in 2700 BC, is a must for any visitor. It is here,
After exploring the city of Udaipur, and just when I thought it within ancient city walls, that we got lost in the colorful, chaotic
couldn’t get any more spectacular, the Crown Prince of Udaipur, sensory explosion of pedicabs, wagons, minivans and mopeds
Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, made a regal appearance to host a lavish fighting crowds of sari-draped Indian market hagglers and traders,
cocktail party on the palace grounds for us. This was a most rare chickens, and cows.
appearance, but he expressed his gratitude to see foreign tourists in While every day was an adventure, there were two highlights
his country after the two years of the pandemic. of my journey. The first was an opulent over-the-top celebration
Udaipur is an excellent launch point to explore ancient Hindu where we were fitted for custom saris, boarded a procession of
temples. We traversed wild countryside to visit to the 1200 year horse-drawn carriages and were led by an Indian marching band
old Sahastrabahu Temples at Nagda and strolled through the and dancers through the Jaipur City Palace gates into the private
village of Delwara, followed by lunch at Devigarh, built in 1760 as royal residential quarters of the Pink Palace. We were showered
a palace and converted in 1999 to a chic hotel resort. with rose petals, entertained by an Indian music troupe, and
treated to a traditional Indian dinner prepared by the royal chef to
the Maharaja in the lavish open-air Blue Room overlooking the
city lights.

Life in Naples | January 2023 1919