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indiaunravelled

Spending the morning at the market wandering throu

Spending the morning at the market wandering through the flower section is one of my happy places 💕💕💕 Hope everyone is having a wodnerful Sunday 🙏🏻 ~Catherine x

Thursday was Maha Shivaratri, a very auspicious fe

Thursday was Maha Shivaratri, a very auspicious festival honouring Lord Shiva that goes through the night until dawn.It celebrates the Grace of Shiva, who is considered the Adi Guru or the First Guru, from whom the yogic tradition originates. The alignment of the planets on this the darkest night of the year is said creates a powerful upserge in energy that you can capture if you stay wakeful and upright through the night.We attended the celebration at the Isha Foundation where an all night event took the crowd from meditation to wild abandoned dancing throughout the night.During one of the meditations I opened my eyes and looked around. Every person had their eyes closed, chanting mantras along with Sadhguru and had such looks of bliss on their faces. It was so moving.In that moment I would have loved to take a photo of those beautiful upturned faces radiating bliss, joy and peace 💕🙏🏻😊 Instead I returned to my meditation and I can't share that photo with you.It felt like it would be an intrusion to photograph people in their state of blissfulness. The other part of me thought it would be capturing the most beautiful moment. A moral dilemma I face often in India.Would you have clicked the photo? I'm curious what other people think about this 📷Namaste 🙏🏻
~Catherine

We were honoured to attend the engagement of Padma

We were honoured to attend the engagement of Padma and Vinod this morning 💕My favourite autorickshaw driver Srinivas who has been driving both me and our guests around for over 4 years invited us as Padma is his niece. So nice to meet all his extended family. Feeling blessed and grateful 🙏🏻 First Padma is seated with all sorts of offerings of food laid out in front of her. All the women come and do a very eleborate little ritual throwing rice on her and placing kum kum (vermillion) and turmeric on her face.Notice the beautifully carved coconuts 😍 We've never seen these before. Aren't they beautiful 💕Happy Wednesday lovely people 😘 ~Catherine x

The women of India you are so effortlessly elegant

The women of India you are so effortlessly elegant in your saris 💕🙏🏻 Imagine this being your every day dress ❤️

Road side flower seller snapped as I zoomed by in

Road side flower seller snapped as I zoomed by in an auto rickshaw 📷📷📷 I wonder how many flowers are harvested in India each day. Any thoughts lovely people? 🌸🌻🌺

Varis and Carly gazing at our beautiful Amba Vilas

Varis and Carly gazing at our beautiful Amba Vilas Palace in Mysuru. Every Sunday evening 97,000 incandescent light globes that outline the palace come on for 45 minutes. One moment it is dark, and the next you are in an enchanting and magical world 💕Happy Sunday lovely people 🙏🏻

My gorgeous niece @omniyoga_ went home to Australi

My gorgeous niece @omniyoga_ went home to Australia on Monday. On her last day in Mysore we literally ran into a festival at a local temple. Here she is with Goddess Kali whom she was named after 💕 I made her get this pic. Sorry Carly but it's a cute one 😘🥰🙏🏻

During the full moon it is considered auspicious t

During the full moon it is considered auspicious to come to the river for a holy dip and to make offerings to Lord Shiva 🙏🏻 This beautiful big girl was enjoying eating bananas, rice balls and flowers that have been left as offerings by devotees.Cows are sacred, offerings are sacred. Isn't this nature at her most beautiful 💕🙏🏻

Walking through the back streets of the old city w

Walking through the back streets of the old city we came upon a pre school. We were greeted with squeals of delight and Namaste!The pure joy of children is something we need to hold onto within ourselves. Remembering that there is joy all around us and beauty can be seen everywhere if we open our eyes 💕

A little piece of India Carly can take home with h

A little piece of India Carly can take home with her 💕Mehendi is one of India's most beautiful art forms. These traditional patterns drawn with organic henna are so beautiful. An essential part of any wedding, the henna has a cooling effect on the body. The artist Shashikala makes her own paste according to ancient traditions. A fun thing to do as our niece and auntie adventure continues. So blessed to have Carly @omniyoga here with us in Mysore 🙏🏻 Have a fabulous weekend everyone 😘Namaste 🙏🏻
~Catherine

Singing bowls meditation with our dear friend Swam

Singing bowls meditation with our dear friend Swami Deva Aharto. The sound and vibration carries you away to another world 💕Me time is so important for all of us. A little reminder to you lovely people how important self care is. Give yourself some love today.Namaste 🙏🏻 ~Catherine

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