India At Two Ends
India can overwhelm you the moment you arrive, and yet it’s also a place you find yourself wanting to return to as soon as you leave.
I got a chance to spend three weeks in New Delhi, and it reminded us how humbling, expansive, and layered this country can be.
Revisiting my notes below from my very first trip over a decade ago, I realized how much still holds true, and how India continues to reveal itself in textures, colours and moments:
My fascination with Indian art and culture began years ago, long before I ever visited. I was drawn to the vivid spectrum of saris, the playful intimacy of miniature paintings, the unapologetic flavors of Indian food, and the magnetic pull of Bollywood films. So when I finally had the chance to see India for myself, I arrived with an open mind and a wide-open heart.
What struck me then, and still does today, is India’s ability to hold extremes side by side. It’s a place where both ends of the spectrum coexist effortlessly: beauty and chaos, serenity and intensity, abundance and scarcity. You’ll find grandeur built for emperors, and just a few miles away, everyday life unfolding in narrow, lively streets.
At Humayun’s Tomb, surrounded by vast Mughal architecture dedicated to the dead, I couldn’t help but think about what lay outside its sandstone walls: people bathing at street pumps, navigating traffic with sacred cows, sipping chai while life simply moved around them. India teaches you that contrasts aren’t exceptions; they’re part of the rhythm of the place.
These contrasts extend beyond sights to the people you meet. In the same day, you might encounter someone who overcharges you for a two-minute cab ride, and later someone who insists on driving you for free. Generosity and opportunism live side by side, not in conflict, but as part of the country’s social fabric.
As a traveler, these moments broaden your understanding of fairness, tolerance, and perspective. India doesn’t cushion the world for you; it widens it. It shows you how differently life can be lived - sometimes uncomfortably, often beautifully, always honestly.
After multiple trips, I still feel I’ve only scratched the surface. India is vast, ancient, and endlessly layered, shaped by hundreds of cultures and countless dialects. On my most recent visit, I told my local colleagues, “I think I only know 0.5% of India.” They corrected me immediately:
“We know 0.5% of India.”
And they were right. There is so much to see and learn.
This country is not meant to be “done” - only discovered, slowly and continually. Which can only mean one thing:
I’ll be going back.
SEE
Delhi food walks. A must-do experience in old Delhi. Mr. Anubhav Sapra is a genuine food-lover. Whenever he talks about food, his eyes light up. If you are there during Winter, make sure you ask him about Daulat ki chaat
Gulab Singh Johri Mal, oldest perfumery.
Hauz Khas Village. Explore the labyrinth-like streets of this happening hang-out spot Explore the labyrinth-like streets of this happening hang-out spot.
Khan Market. Khan Market may not look like much but it’s an expensive shopping centre that’s filled with cool shops. Make sure you also explore the second floor of the complex.
SHOP
Raw Mango. If there’s one shop you have to visit, it’s this one. Drool over beautiful fabrics and clothing in a farm house. If you don’t want to make the journey all the way out to the shop, Good Earth in Khan Market also carries many items from Raw Mango.
