PHOTOS

indiaunravelled

Happy Republic Day to all our Indian friends and p

Happy Republic Day to all our Indian friends and partners. Jai Hind 🇳🇪 My lovely niece Carly @omniyoga_ and I are both loving the opportunity to experience a more contemporary side of Indian culture.India we love you 💕In January 2021 we are hosting a trip to the festival followed by a writing retreat including workshops and interactive sessions to further inspire your creative witting. Places are limited.DM to be on the priority list and receive the itinerary and details first.Namaste 🙏🏻

Less than 48 hours ago I had no intention of being

Less than 48 hours ago I had no intention of being in Jaipur today. What a difference a day makes.Attending the Jaipur Literature Festival for the first time and Day 1 has been amazing!Left Mysore at midnight last night with my niece Carly and arrived in Jaipur at 9am this morning.
A spontaneous decision often leads to the most amazing experiences 💕

What amazing makeup and costumes! You'll find men

What amazing makeup and costumes! You'll find men wearing all kinds of elaborate getups at festivals across India. Here we have a closeup of Laxmi, followed by Rada Krishna and Lord Shiva. They were performing as part of the celebration of Makar Sankranti, the Harvest Festival. A time to celebrate Mother Earth and Surya the Sun God and show gratitude for all the blessings they bestow on us 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

Festival drummers taking a chai break. I love how

Festival drummers taking a chai break. I love how their straps match the edging in their dhotis 💕

Hello lovely people 😘 * We've been a little qui

Hello lovely people 😘
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We've been a little quiet. I'm finding it hard to share things about India and travelling when our homeland is experiencing such heartbreaking tragedy. I can feel your collective anguish and sorrow. Thank you all for what you are doing to help one another. No words.
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A lovely friend shared something that really touched a chord in me. here is an excerpt from it.
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"In times like these it takes more than indignation and protest to create change. This next decade will require from us, clarity, conviction, intelligence, forward thinking, and commitment. We are being asked to evolve and collaborate, to remove barriers of prejudice and dissolve lines of division. We are being required to step into our best selves and commit our hearts and minds to the betterment of society and the establishment of peace, justice and prosperity.
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Regardless of the failings of old systems, old paradigms and outdated policies and politics, we are being asked to show what WE can do for the world. Time for you to step up and show the world the best version of YOU, anyone has ever seen."
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For me it speaks of hope for the future, of love and humanity. Amidst all the chaos and fear there is always hope. Let's give our energy to that thought. That's our wish for 2020 for all of Australia, those we know and love and those we don't.
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I hope whoever wrote these words speaks to your heart too 💖
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Stay safe in Australia. Our hearts are with you. *
Namaste 🙏🏻
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~Catherine x

Wishing you all many blessings for the new year.

Wishing you all many blessings for the new year.Thank you for your support throughout 2019 and for those of you who travelled with us thank you for putting your Indian adventure in our hands. We've made many new friends and had countless experiences to treasure with you all 💕Our heart goes out to our Australian friends during this time of devastation. It feels hard to say happy new year when so many people are facing such hardship and sorrow.We send our love, pray for rain and that all those affected find the strength to carry on and rebuild their lives.Namaste 🙏🏻 ~Catherine and Varis

We are always curious to see how things are done i

We are always curious to see how things are done in India 💕 Lovely Silvana @embellish_or_perish joined me on Christmas Eve for the carols from 11pm before midnight mass. A steady stream of worshippers came and went.
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As everywhere we go, lots of people taking selfies and a atmosphere of celebration filled the air 💕
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The singing was beautiful, accompanied by some traditional instruments.
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We wish for all of you a peaceful and safe festive season. To our friends in Australia suffering from the drought and fires we are thinking of you and pray you remain safe.
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Thank you for your support in 2019 and for those of you who travelled with us, thank you for putting your faith in us 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
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Love and blessings
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Catherine and Varis x

When in Rajasthan one must try on a turban! Our l

When in Rajasthan one must try on a turban! Our lovely guests Shelly and Sylvia looking rather amazing trying on a turban we had just watched being wrapped 💕
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Varis got in on the act too as did our guide Kan who hadn't wrapped a turban for some time but did so with great speed and dexterity 👳‍♂️👳‍♂️👳‍♂️
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Not sure what happened to the photos of lovely Sivlana @embellish_or_perish and me?!
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Meeting local people is our key philosophy. 2020 trips will be released very soon. DM to be on the list to be first in line for one of our magical trips to discover incredible India 🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳

I am still trying to absorb all the experiences I'

I am still trying to absorb all the experiences I've been blessed to have over the past months. Choosing what to share is an overwhelming task for me!
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One of the most beautiful things lovely Silvana @embellish_or_perish and I did was a ritual for our ancestors in Varanasi.
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Guided by our friend Harsha who is a Brahmana (Hindu priest) prayers were chanted for the souls of our departed loved ones on the ghats of Mother Ganga. At the end of the ceremony we floated our leaf plates (all organic matter) on her gentle waters as we prayed for them to obtain moksha, the end of the cycle of life and rebirth and for their souls to reside forever in heaven 💕
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Whether you believe or not, it is a deeply moving experience and one I'll forever remember and be grateful to have had 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
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I'm not sure I'll ever find the words to describe the affect Varanasi had on me. Yet another life changing moment to cherish that incredible India has bestowed on me.
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Namaste 🙏🏻
~Catherine

My first encounter with a sadhu in Varanasi. Every

My first encounter with a sadhu in Varanasi. Everyone has no doubt seen countless photos like this. This man patted the step next to him in a gesture for me to join him. How could I refuse?
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We sat for a moment smiling at each other, he placed his hand on my head and blessed me.
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I am grateful for this moment and this gentle, kind man's blessing was a gift I'll never forget.
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Namaste 🙏🏻

Good morning from Varanasi 💕I woke this morni

Good morning from Varanasi 💕I woke this morning to sounds of chanting, children squealing with delight as they plunged into Mother Ganga, goats bleeting, boats chugging along past my balcony.I sit here in wonder and pinch myself that I am really here. So blessed.My first visit to Varanasi and I'm off to explore so that we can be confident of an amazing experience for our guests when we include this most sacred of cities on our itineraries next year.Namaste 🙏🏻 ~Catherine

For the textile lovers! India is textile heaven as

For the textile lovers! India is textile heaven as most of you would know 💕
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The embroidery work and stitching done mostly by the women in Rajasthan is absolutely exquisite. In general the men do the machine work, so together they create such things of beauty it's dazzling!
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This selection of superb pieces are made from old sarees and clothing by a cooperative of people from local villages just outside Jodhpur.
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Some of these incredible works of art are made from old garments which were donated by the royal family of Jodhpur and are made with real gold and silver thread 😍Our next trip to some of Rajasthan's most beautiful cities departs late February. Still a few places left. DM for details 🙏🏻 ~Catherine

Just one example of the meticulously painted tradi

Just one example of the meticulously painted traditional art on the wall of a room in stunning Rohet Garh @house_of_rohet.
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The host family has lived in this property for 15 generations and have turned it into one of India's most spectacular heritage hotels. They engaged local artisans in all aspects of creating this little piece of heaven. *
Thank you to Vimal and the wonderful team who look after you every need and make you feel so at home 🙏🏻
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Who doesn't love a swing in their hotel room? 💕
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It's not too late to sign up for our Holi 2020 trip departing late February where we will celebrate this wonderful festival with our lovely hosts at Rohet Garh and the people from the local village. DM for details.

How can one categorise so many precious moments sh

How can one categorise so many precious moments shared, or choose a favourite? It's impossible, because when you are in the moment it carries you away to a place deep within your heart that you'll always cherish and hold dear.
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India blesses you with so many such moments that it would be impossible to count 💕
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The morning we were leaving Rohet Garh, Shelly and I went for a walk through the village. Next thing we found ourselves at the school and were invited to attend the morning prayers with the children.
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No less than 200 children did their morning yoga, then chanted their morning prayers all in unison. The girls one side, the boys the other. Praying to Goddess Saraswati, the Goddess of Knowledge and Learning. I was invited to light the oil lamp on the alter. A privilege and honour I'm not sure I deserved.
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It's the simplest things that holds the magic, and when in India you never know what unexpected experience awaits around the next corner.
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India you are full of wonder, enchantment. Your people are beautifully warm and generous. Their devotion fills me with awe 💖
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What a wonderful way for children to start their day at school, with exercise and gratitude in their hearts. These are the faces of the future of this incredible country and the future looks bright 💖
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As we sat with this room full of young people, looking at their sweet, earnest faces, wondering where their lives would take them, our hearts swelled with gratitude for this moment in time we'll never forget 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 ~Catherine

More hand made pots being beautifully decorated fo

More hand made pots being beautifully decorated for use in a marriage ritual 💕Discover the people, the handcrafts, the soul of India with us.Still places available for our Holi Festival trip late February 2020.. DM for details or visit our website.Namaste 🙏🏻

Clay pot making is an ancient craft still very muc

Clay pot making is an ancient craft still very much alive in the back streets of Udaipur far from the tourist trail. Beautifully decorated by hand, these keep drinking water cool during the blazing summer.On our Rajsthan Revealed trip 2019 we discovered Udaipur with Vishal, our fabulous explorer from @wandertrailsofficial. We seek out partners who have the local knowledge to show our guests how people live, what they make, local markets and more. We can't thank Vishal enough for a wonderful day exploring this beautiful city. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 Discover the real India with us. Her secrets lie with the wonderfully warm, kind and resourceful people 💕

My husband, my hero ❤️ This man was behind the

My husband, my hero ❤️ This man was behind the camera way more than in front over the last couple of months of our journeys with our lovely guests. Travelling with up to 12 women for two months with barely a moment to himself, he was charming, witty, caring and protective of us all.Thank you Varis for all you did to make our trips so wonderful. I am a very proud and grateful wife 🙏🏻😘🥰

My last ride in an auto in Udaipur seeing off our

My last ride in an auto in Udaipur seeing off our guests and it was lined with pink 💖💕 Gorgeous Silvana @embellish_or_perish gave us selfie lessons on day one of our trip. This is my first practice shot! Never been a selfie girl but feel I owed it to you gorgeous Sivlana to give it a try 😘😘😘

Could this have been her handsome prince?

Could this have been her handsome prince?

Rajasthan is awash with the most beautiful mosaics

Rajasthan is awash with the most beautiful mosaics. I wonder who was the muse for this lovely image of a woman carrying an oil lamp?