India – Overwhelming and Moving

Our Travel Designer Petra has experienced India first-hand – and you can truly feel it. Here, she shares her very personal impressions.

I had dreamed of travelling to India for many years. Above all, I wanted to discover Rajasthan, the legendary land of the Maharajas. In April, that dream finally became a reality.

India is a country that divides opinion. Yes, it is noisy, particularly in the cities. There is the constant sound of traffic, horns blaring everywhere, apparent chaos and endless crowds. With its population of more than 1.4 billion people, the country can often feel overwhelming. Poverty is visible in many places, and cleanliness standards are often very different from what we are used to in Europe.

India is challenging. Overwhelming. Intense.

And yet, it was precisely these contrasts that moved me deeply and left a lasting impression.

My image of Rajasthan had certainly been romanticised: magnificent palaces, golden deserts and the world of the Maharajas. And yet, those visions came to life in the most extraordinary way. During countless sightseeing tours, it felt as though the past was unfolding before my eyes. Majestic palaces and the stories of their royal inhabitants, scholars and merchants, caravans travelling along the ancient Silk Road, colourful markets and bustling bazaars. Women dressed in vibrant saris, men wearing bright yellow turbans, all surrounded by the scent of spices, glittering jewellery and shimmering fabrics in every imaginable colour.

India is also a fascinating meeting point of faiths and philosophies. Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism have all shaped the country and continue to do so today. Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism in particular are often more than religions; they are ways of understanding life itself, rooted in the ancient wisdom of the Vedas, India’s sacred philosophical texts. Perhaps this is one reason why people of many different faiths so often live side by side in remarkable harmony.

What struck me most, however, was the warmth and peaceful nature of the people. Throughout its long history, India experienced repeated periods of foreign rule – from Arab conquerors in the north to European colonial powers such as the Portuguese, Dutch and French, and finally the British, whose rule lasted until 1947. Time and again, people resisted oppression without becoming oppressors themselves. Mahatma Gandhi, the “Great Soul”, became the enduring symbol of this non-violent struggle for freedom and independence.

To this day, it is the people who make India truly special: curious, open-minded and incredibly warm-hearted. Their hospitality, their willingness to help, the shy smile when they ask whether they may take a photograph with you, their genuine interest in meeting people from different backgrounds, and their delight when visitors show an interest in their culture and history. Here, prejudices quickly lose their meaning.

So, what do I take away from Rajasthan?

India cannot be explained – it has to be experienced.

My first glimpse of the Taj Mahal will stay with me forever: goosebumps, tears in my eyes and a profound sense of awe. Yet I have deliberately chosen not to simply list the sights I visited. What matters more to me is opening your heart to this fascinating country and its wonderful people.

Perhaps it will change the way you see India.

And perhaps one day, your own journey will lead you to this magnificent and vibrant country.