Veteran OAT Trip Leader shares his top India tips
By Krish Sharma, Trip Leader, India
Where & What to Eat …
The Sikh temple of Gurudwara Bangla Sahib in Delhi, India offers you the opportunity to partake in langar, a free, vegetarian meal prepared by volunteers. Hundreds, even thousands, gather in the temple’s expansive dining hall twice daily for the event. The offering of food is a practice that exemplifies a central pillar of the Sikh faith: All people—regardless of religion, ethnicity, or age—can gather together as equals in the enjoyment of food. True to that principle, you are invited to remove your shoes, don a provided headscarf, and sit with Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs alike in a quiet meal of active spiritual practice. While the portions are small, and the fare is always meatless—an adherence to vegetarianism helps ensure that everyone who gathers will be able to eat the meal—the experience itself is very fulfilling. Afterwards, everyone is welcome to visit the pool at the rear of the temple complex to wash their hands and faces in water that is considered holy by the Sikh.
What to See …
One of the most fun events to see live—if you’re there during the right season—is a polo match in Jaipur. At the Jaipur Riding and Polo Club, you can watch professional and amateur players in crisp uniforms as they charge down the field on horseback, brandishing wooden mallets and fighting to score a goal before the end of the chukka (a period ranging from six minutes to seven-and-a-half minutes, of which there are normally four to eight in a match). Modern polo originated in India, but gone are the days of leisurely regal games—polo is now an exciting and accessible sport. On special occasions, you might see polo played on camels or elephants, elegantly draped with stunning jhools (saddle clothes). Jaipur’s regular polo season runs from October to early November.
What to Buy …
Rajasthan is often thought of as the crafts paradise of India, and in the bazaars of Jaipur, you’ll find lively vendors selling some of the region’s most famous and sought-after goods. The Bapu Bazaar offers a wide variety of locally made items, including camel-leather mojaris (slippers), stunning hand-blocked textiles, and sweetly scented perfumes. You’ll also find an assortment of exquisite silver, glass, and lacquer bangles—elegant adornments worn by many Indian women to signify marital status. But be sure to negotiate with merchants as you shop—very often, you will land some amazing bargains when you do.
What to Try …
While widely practiced in the U.S. today, yoga has its roots in India. Yogic philosophy believes that the achievement of spiritual liberation occurs when the purusha (self) is freed from the bondages of prakriti (matter). Divided into eight stages that include both physical and mental practices, yoga often employs a variety of held poses designed to condition the practitioner’s body, making it flexible and healthy in its pursuit of spiritual release. Outside the philosophical significance of the discipline, however, there are practical reasons to try yoga, including enhanced flexibility, muscle strength, and circulation.
Discover some of the helpful tips suggested by Krish on our Heart of India adventure.