Destination

Kumarakom, Kerala

God's Own Country

Our journey begins in the state of Kerala. This sliver of a state on the southwest coast of India is sandwiched between the sparkling cerulean waters of the Arabian Sea with its endless sandy beaches to the west, and the Sahyadri Mountains to the east. Tropical rains have made this land fertile with lush evergreen forests, lakes, canals, tea plantations and jungles. Kerala has long been a home to aromatic spices, Ayurvedic medicine and ancient Hindu spiritual practices. 

We begin our spiritual adventure in the village of Kumarakom, located a couple of hours inland and on the shores of India’s longest lake, Lake Vembanad. Life here is gentle, unhurried and moves at the gait of an elephant. Don’t be surprised if you see an elephant or two sharing your road, as Kerala is full of these loving pachyderms. Our days will be filled with classes and exploration of the local area and culture.

Periyar, Kerala

A gem in the Sahyadri Mountains

From Kumarakom, we head further inland to a place called Periyar in the hill country. Periyar in the western ghats or Sahyadri Mountains of Kerala is a refuge of rolling hills, lush green forests, amazing wildlife, and countless tea and spice plantations. These mountains divide the state of Kerala from Tamil Nadu. The three and a half hours drive up to Periyar is especially scenic. 

We’ll only be in Periyar for a night so that we can break our journey over the Sahyadri Mountains to Tamil Nadu. Our lovely hotel is on the edge of a 925 square kilometer rain forest. Nature rules here as we are surrounded by a plethora of amazing plants and wildlife. The Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve host a large proportion of the country’s plant and animal species that are unique to this area only and nowhere else in the world.

Besides being exquisitely lush and offering an abundance of flora, Periyar hosts miles of tea plantations that cover the hills. On any given day one can see the tea-leaf pickers working away, sorting tea leaves by the side of the road. Along with tea, Periyar is also known for its spices. Plantations of cloves, nutmeg, pepper, cinnamon and cardamom are common to the area. The elevation, geographic location, and climate make for an ideal environment for the spices to grow.

Madurai

The Ancient Cultural Capital of South India

We leave Periyar and head down the Sahyadri Mountains to the temple city of Madurai in the state of Tamil Nadu. 

Madurai, the ancient cultural capital of South India, is home to the Meenakshi temple and the very reason why we are visiting this city. This spectacular temple, which is over 2,000 years old, is a masterpiece of Dravidian architecture and is dedicated to the Goddess Meenakshi. 

The hallways and chambers are crowded from dawn to dusk, filled with pilgrims eager for darshan (sight) of the Goddess Meenakshi in the sanctum sanctorum. Pilgrims come to offer prayers, to have wishes fulfilled, to atone for misdeeds or simply to offer their love to the Goddess for Her presence in their lives. The Hindu religion is alive in this temple, and you’ll sense the spiritual power immediately upon walking into this divine citadel. The temple forms the heart and lifeline of the 2,500 year old city of Madurai.

The city itself is a densely packed warren of streets, shops and bazaars. Our hotel is a luxurious oasis just on the outside of town that will allow us a peaceful base from which to explore.

Bangalore

We end our spiritual adventure in the tech city of Bangalore. We are here long enough to celebrate the conclusion of our journey in a grand final dinner at the Taj West End hotel. Bangalore has a pleasant climate throughout the year, with its parks and green spaces earning it the reputation as the “Garden City” of India.