Posts in category India

When I was taping in India, I saw the wooden sandals in which Gandhi walked for hundreds of miles in the house in which he stayed in Mumbai. No doubt, they hurt to wear them. I asked my guide,”why would he do that? Wasn’t walking hundreds of miles not enough?” Her reply, “Mahatma was always trying to master his mind.” I couldn’t really say he was nuts because at times I chose to wear the most uncomfortable high heels and my motive is self centered rather than for the purpose of gaining freedom for all from an oppressive government through nonviolence, which, btw, he achieved.  The only thing I achieved …

Congratulations to Oberoi Hotel Group for winning the Best Hotel Group in the World! Check out this clip from our India special to see these masterpieces for yourself.

While in Bangalore, Linda stopped at the Art of Living Ashram to meet a man that is bringing together millions for the purpose of peace. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, humanitarian, spiritual leader and ambassador of peace has been practicing a life a peace since the age of 4. Among his numerous honors he is also the Chancellor of Sri Sri University and the Chairman of the Quality Control of India Yoga Certification Committee. With Ashrams in India and in the United States in North Carolina and speaking engagements all over the world, Sri Sri is taking his message of peace all around the world. As a spiritual teacher, he developed …

Dera Amer is situated behind the hills of the famous Amer Fort teaming with wild-life, the thickly forested Aravali Hills of Salwara-Kukas were for long a part of a much favored Royal Hunting Preserve around the historic Amer Fort of Jaipur. Along with getting you up close and personal with some amazing wildlife, the camp also provides meals, or just high tea. The majority of the ingredients are fresh and grown organically on the farm, while the elaborate bar serves the most exotic cocktails in a rustic yet luxurious atmosphere. The elephants, camels and cows at the camp are closest to their natural habitat and tread on soft ground, the …

Bikki Oberoi is the leader in luxury as the CEO and chairman of Oberoi Hotels and Resorts. After growing up in the hotel business with his father leading the way with several hotels,he went out into the world after he finished his studies, and visited almost every major country in the world and stayed in their best hotels where he had the firsthand experience of sampling their best, from great food to awesome services. He took back the experience with him to his fathers business and strived to boost it to another level and the results speak for themselves. ” My father said to me, Why don’t you build and …

Jantar Mantar is a monument located in Jaipur, Rajasthan and is a collection of nineteen architectural astronomical instruments, built by the Rajput king Sawai Jai Singh, and completed in 1738 CE. It features the world’s largest stone sundial in the world, and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The instruments allow the observation of astronomical positions with the naked eye. “As soon as a child is born, first thing they do is get the horoscope out and the horoscope tells us from which letter the name of the child will start. When we grow up and get married, the horoscope of a boy and girl, if their stars are favorable, …

What is Mallakhamb? Well, it’s the 5,000 year old Indian sport that is still being taught daily for the last 50 years in Mumbai by the one and only, Uday. Mallakhamb derives from the terms “malla” which denotes a wrestler and “khamba” which means pole. Mallakhamb is where gymnasts perform feats and poses in concert with a vertical wooden pole and rope. “You have to pull, exert yourself overtime when you climb on the rope, climb on the pole…and different yogic posture. Give exercise not only for dexterity muscles like biceps and triceps, but the internal systems like respiratory, circulatory, diet are best toned up on this apparatus.” It’s the …

The Gem Palace was established in 1852 by the erstwhile Kasliwal family of Jaipur. Jewelers for over eight generations, the Kasliwals even have the distinction of being court jewelers to Mogul emperors. Linda stopped by to meet with Samir, sixth generation of the company and of course to see some of the magnificent work. “Originally, my family was working for different royal families in Rajistan. And what happen is, as we pass our job from father to son, the same thing happened to our artisans, because we tried to keep the skill inside the store, shop, inside the workshop. And everything is done locally. Totally handmade. Elephants, statue figure, necklaces, …

While staying at the Oberoi Rajvilas, Linda had a cooking lesson with Chef Varun to learn a staple in Indian cooking, Naan bread. Naan, Nan or Khamiri is a leavened, oven-baked flatbread found in the cuisines in West, Central and South Asia. He explains there are several types of Naan and one he eats daily is called Roti. Roti is made from whole wheat flower as apposed to the all- purpose flower this Naan is being made. After the ingredients are added and the dough was thrown around a bit by Linda, it needs to be spread. So you take one of Chef’s nifty cushions and stretch before popping it …

In a Hindu wedding Ceremony, a couples wedding day has many steps before getting to the actual ceremony. Linda had the pleasure of renewing her vow’s with husband Ian, of 31 years at the stunning Oberoi Rajvilas. The day started with Linda getting some help getting into her traditional Sari. Red saris are the traditional garment choice for brides in Indian culture. Sari fabric is also traditionally silk. Over time, color options and fabric choices for Indian brides have expanded. Today fabrics like crêpe, Georgette, tissue and satin are used, and colors have been expanded to include gold, pink, orange, maroon, brown, and yellow as well. Next ladies cover their …