Postcards from India

March 24, 2024 · 5 min read · travel

Two weeks in India and what an incredible journey it turned out to be! Alex and I traveled there for a wedding celebration which was nothing short of the big, colorful and crazy Indian wedding experience. After the wedding whirlwind, we met up with my parents and sister who flew all the way from Indonesia and Canada respectively. This blog post is my personal scrapbook; a curated collection of snapshots, each a memory from our wonderful time in India.

Alex sits at a breakfast table in a sunlit room, smiling at the camera. He's dressed in a casual dark purple T-shirt, and before him on the table is a selection of breakfast items including a glass of water, a hot beverage, and a plate with Indian cuisine. The background features an ornate lattice window that contributes to the bright and airy atmosphere of the setting.

This photo doesn’t convey it fully, but our first breakfast in Bangalore was a mixture of colors, aromas, and flavors. The variety of options at breakfast was both overwhelming and exhilarating, which is a testament to India’s rich culinary landscape. Needless to say, food was a major highlight of our trip.

A first-person perspective from inside an auto-rickshaw, commonly known as a tuk-tuk, with a view of the bustling streets featuring other tuk-tuks and vehicles in various colors. The interior shows the back of the driver in a khaki shirt and the edge of the passenger seat, capturing the everyday commute and lively street scene of India.

Our first tuktuk ride in India! Although I grew up amidst the hustle and bustle of Indonesian traffic, this experience still had its own excitement.

An intricately detailed façade of a Hindu temple, adorned with a vibrant array of statues depicting various deities and mythical figures in mid-narrative pose.

One aspect of our journey that stood out remarkably was the vibrancy of the Hindu temples we visited. The rich colors and intricate designs showcased through the temples was such a joy to see.

A lively street scene unfolds in Bangalore, India, bustling with activity and local color. People go about their day amidst a multitude of shops adorned with colorful goods, flags, and signs, while vehicles and pedestrians share the crowded space in a harmonious chaos typical of a vibrant city.

Of course, I knew going into the trip how densely populated the cities we would be visiting are. But still, the sheer number of people, no matter where you turn, is still so surprising haha.

Alex stands on the ornate steps of a beautifully carved white marble Jain temple, looking relaxed and happy.

Visiting the Shri Adinath Jain Shwetamber Mandir in Bangalore for the first time, we were mesmerized by its beauty. Built in 1918 and now a stunning marble structure, this oldest Jain temple in the city encapsulates the deep-rooted heritage and architectural splendor of Jainism.

Alex and I are standing next to each other, all smiles. We're dressed in traditional Indian attire, with Alex in a dark blue sherwani and me in a dark blue lehenga with golden detailing.

Decked out in traditional Indian attire, with Alex in a regal sherwani and myself in a lehenga, we were all set for the sangeet. This event was the heartbeat of the wedding celebrations—think big party filled with music and dancing. Despite my initial nerves about participating in the choreographed dances—dancing is definitely not a strength of mine, haha—the sangeet ended up being one of the highlights of the entire wedding celebration.

A group of people in vibrant Indian wedding attire are joyfully posing together, with the bride in the center wearing a rich red lehenga, adorned with elaborate jewelry and henna. Our expressions of excitement and the festive turbans highlight the celebratory atmosphere of the occasion.

Captured in this snapshot is a moment with the lovely bride, taken during the wedding ceremony.

The silhouette of a crowd frames the ethereal form of the Taj Mahal, seen through a grand archway. The iconic mausoleum stands at a distance, shrouded in a light mist, giving the scene a dreamlike quality.

The moment I first laid eyes on the Taj Mahal.. it was nothing short of magical. Regardless of how many photos you’ve seen, standing before it in the flesh, witnessing the grandeur and learning about the history is truly an unparalleled experience

My family and I stand together in front of the Taj Mahal, enveloped in a gentle fog.

Nothing else to say about this moment other than how grateful I feel to have shared an unforgettable trip with my family. 😊

A foggy day at the Taj Mahal, with the grand entrance gate framing a hazy silhouette of this world-famous mausoleum. Visitors are seen milling about, tiny figures against the majestic backdrop, capturing the monument's enduring allure even through the mist.

A sight not commonly captured in photographs: the layer of fog enshrouding the city, adding a layer of mystery. Another sight not commonly captured: the mass of people also sharing the experience with us!

A vibrant scene with peacocks casually roaming around an urban parking area. In the foreground, peacocks strut on the ground, while another perches confidently atop a white and blue truck, all set against a striking yellow building with classic architecture.

Spotting peacocks chilling in a parking lot was definitely not on my India bingo card. Peacocks are native to India, so it shouldn’t be surprising, but to find them in a place as mundane as a parking lot… definitely a surprise!

A snake charmer sits on the ground, playing a flute with a cobra emerging from a basket in front of him, against the backdrop of a historical fort. He's dressed for the weather, with a warm hat and scarf, focused on his art.

Something else I didn't expect to come across: a snake charmer in the flesh! It was one of those moments that felt like a dive straight into the pages of a travel guidebook—surreal, a bit thrilling, and definitely an out-of-the-ordinary anecdote to tell.