A Trip To One Of The 7 Wonders of WORLD

                                A Trip To One Of The 7 Wonders of WORLD 

Hello everyone! My name is Carlotta, I am a 22-year-old Italian student, recently graduated from the University of Padua. Following my graduation, I decided to apply as project coordinator at the non-profit organization HEEALS, in India. I would like to share with you one of the wonderful experiences I was able to have, during my internship. 

A trip entirely organized thanks to HEEALS, with an experienced guide, meals included, and a private taxi driver, made it possible to realize my dream of seeing the beauties of Agra City in one single day.

My journey began at 2 a.m., when the taxi driver picked me up directly from my accommodation and drove me to New Delhi, where I met the second driver and those who would be my traveling companions.

From here, my overnight journey officially began. After meeting and exchanging some small talk with my traveling companions, I was finally able to relax and admire the scenery outside the window with the dark and half-empty roads of the night. It is fascinating to think how the same roads, which are crowded with cars, motorcycles and tuk-tuks during the day, can empty out completely at night and make way for an almost unreal silence.

The trip took 3 hours in all, and I woke up at the crack of dawn. After a few minutes, the car stopped and a guide joined us. We had finally arrived in Agra! The first place we visited was, of course, the Taj Mahal!

We left our backpacks in the car and immediately headed for our first destination.

Sunrise is the best time of day to see and photograph it. The sunlight reflects off the white marble from which its octagonal walls are made, and makes it bright and radiant.

The guide gave us some time to take some pictures with our cameras and after that he began his explanation.

The first thing we were able to admire was the Guest House (or Darwaza), that is completely built of red sandstone in contrast to the main building in the center, the mausoleum, and that is perfectly simmetrical and of the same appearence and proportions of the Mosque, which is located to the east of the Taj Mahal. The gateaway of the Guest House is positioned so that the arched door forms an artistic frame for the Taj Mahal.

In contrast to these two structures, the Taj Mahal is built entirely of white marble and meticulously decorated. It is a perfect symmetrical planned building.

What impressed me the most were the detailed floreal patterns carved in the marble and the elegant arabic calligraphy at the tomb entrance.

Entering to the mausoleum, we could admire the tomb of the empress consort Mumtaz Mahal, located exactly in the middle of the octagonal structure, and on the left side, constructed 30 years after, the tomb of the emperor Shah Jahan. It was surprising to know that these ones were only illusory, in fact the real sarcophagi of the two emperors were situated in the crypt, in the lower part of the chamber. Unfortunately, tourists were not allowed to take pictures here.

At the end of our guided tour, we went to the roof terrace of the Taj Mahal and, after walking into a small dome, we had an amazing view of the Yamuna river and of the Mughal garden. The beauty of such a landscape left me speechless.

We had some time to rest and to take some other pictures before the ending of our journey.

Before leaving, we had also the opportunity to buy some little gifts for our loved ones at the very recommended shop “The Silver Hut”, where I bought two tiny and colored elephants that could remind me the colours of this city. I only wish I will have the opportunity to visit it again, in future!

For the moment, it has been a unique experience that I will never forget. 

Thank You HEEALS!

Website: www.heeals.org

Instagram: @heealsindia

Email : communications@heeals.org

Whatss app: +91-7982316660

"ATITHI DEVO BHAVA" (The Guest Is God)

VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES IN INDIA

India is a country of a kaleidoscope of cultures with umpteen variations in food, clothing, language, music, festivals and religious beliefs. The country is home to four of the world’s biggest religions and each individual has the right to practice their own rites and rituals. The variations in climatic condition, land structure and political set-up have resulted in considerable differences in dress, food habit and social customs and practices. With religion comes the spirit of celebration. Major festivals are celebrated across the country with equal fervor while several others are celebrated locally with great enthusiasm.

In short, the variations of India’s cultural diversity are strung together with the string of peace and harmony. India is indeed an ‘embodiment of unity in diversity’.

Keeping the spirit of ‘ATITHI DEVO BHAVA’ (the guest is god) alive, India has always provided opportunities for people across the world to volunteer in several fields across the country. Not only are people able to experience the cultural diversity of the country, but also witness the extravagance of our festivities. Thus it is a two-fold opportunity that provides a chance to learn and while having fun. Doing voluntary work in India can help you get a feel of Indian culture while doing your bit and bringing about a change in the lives of those in need. Several non government organizations across the country invite students and professionals from across the world to work and learn with them.

Volunteering can be done in several domains

1. Teaching children
2. Contributing to Community Development
3. Empowerment of  Women Throughout India
4. Working with Children with Disabilities
5. Providing Healthcare Services
6. Becoming a Dental Volunteer
7. Combining Yoga & Volunteering
8. Helping with Construction Projects

If you are willing and able to donate your time, there are almost endless ways you can volunteer for a worthy cause in India. Whatever your skills and interests, you’re likely to be able to find a volunteer program that will enable you to provide concrete assistance as well as have a meaningful and memorable time. Travelers who have participated in this experience have enjoyed the sheer variety of sights and experiences included, traveling with others and making friends, as well as the professionalism of the organizations.

To experience the vibrance of colors and the spirit of brotherhood in the upcoming festival of Holi, tourists from across the world travel to India and actively engage themselves in the festivity. This naturally becomes an excellent opportunity to make your travel worthwhile. Holi is known to endorse the spirit of giving. Thus one can make full use of every opportunity by filling the lives of the needy with happiness through little efforts.

So we at HEEALS invite people from across the world to come enliven the spirit of Holi while contributing their bit to society and experiencing the beauty of

‘Incredible India’.

By -Tvisha