Batch #4

The new year is here and we at ISP are excited for our next group of students. And they are arriving today! We're heading out to the airport soon and ISP staff and peer mentors are eager to see our new arrivals. Can't wait to meet you Batch 4 and welcome to Coimbatore!

Meenakshi Temple, Madurai

On the Road: Delhi

Our last stop on the road was Delhi, the capital of India. We spent some brief time at Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India, before heading over to the Red Fort. This Fort, like some of the other Mughal architechture we visited in Agra, was built by Shah Jahan. It was a great way to cap off such an experience filled semester together.

Thanks for a great semester Batch 3! We have loved having you here and journeying alongside you in India. May you continue to learn from your experiences here and share your stories with those Stateside. Happy Journey!

On the Road: Dehradun

We have definitely moved into winter here in India and while it may not be so cold down south here in Coimbatore (and definitely not as cold as some parts of the US!) the chilly north of India us pulling out sweaters and huddling under blankets to stay warm.

Learning about Tibetan Buddhism from monks.

Dehradun, the capital of Uttarakhand, is nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas. We were excited to be 

here for the last leg of our journey where, in addition to learning about Tibet and Buddhism, we had time for rest and reflection. During our week, we spoke to a local mentoring program that's doing some great work with young Tibetan men and shared a meal of buffalo momos (a first for everyone!). We also had the chance to speak with local monks who shared about Tibetan Buddhism and monastery life, and a couple that uses their store as an opportunity for social entrepreneurship. 

Hanging out at a cafe that supports local women. 

Of course there's no better way to cap off a quiet week than to throw in a little whitewater rafting! We made our way over to Rishikesh an hour way, which is also known as the gateway to the Himalayas. The Ganges flows right through the city and students were stoked to spend a day rafting through this scenic area.

Ready for whitewater rafting!

Some of us took the time to wander the city instead and saw the gorgeous views of the city from the two pedestrian suspension bridges that hang over the Ganges. We also sought out the Beatles Ashram before meeting up with the rafting adventurers.

Exploring picturesque Rishikesh.

Final stop: Delhi!

On the Road: Agra

Agra is most known for being the home of the Taj Mahal where thousands flock every year to the marble mauusoleum that Shah Jahan built for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal.  Needless to say we were excited to get there!

Checking out the Agra Fort.

Beyond the Taj Mahal, Agra is known for its multitudes of Mughul architecture so our first stop was the Agra Fort. Right off the train we made our way over there to explore this walled city. Although visually beautiful and intricate, the Fort is also well known for being the site of imprisonment for Shah Jahan when he was overthrown by his son. From the Fort he was able to view the Taj Mahal across the river but was never able to visit it.

At the Taj!

In the afternoon, we made our way over to the Taj Mahal! Everyone had been anticipating this visit for weeks so to finally arrive there was a dream come true for many of the students.

Jumping for joy at the Taj Mahal.

On to Dehradun!

On the Road: Varanasi

Our semester may have come to an end but there are more stories to share! Here's another stop on our travel component.

Varanasi is a city that breathes centuries. Its winding alleys open onto ghats that lead down to the Ganges where you can see daily scenes of morning bathers and Hindu priests preparing for worship. As one of India's holiest cities, Varanasi was the perfect place to explore more about Hinduism!

Watching the Ganga Aarti

Our day was filled with a walking tour and an evening boat ride where we watched the Ganga Aarti (Ganges river worship ceremony). It was fascinating to see the priests with their lit lamps moving in synchronicity. We also had ample time to wander the city and observe life there. Students loved discovering the streets and seeing everything from the burning ghats to the many roadside shrines.The burning ghats is one of many intriguing traditions in Varanasi. Hindus believe that to be cremated here will release them from the cycle of rebirth. 

Enjoying the Varanasi view!

Next stop: Agra - home of the Taj Mahal!

On the Road: Calcutta

Sorry for the lack of updates folks but it has been for a good reason! We have been traveling all over India and are currently in the chilly North. We recently spent a few days in Calcutta, which was described by one student as "what you think of when you think of India".

Rolling out parathas for Kati rolls!

While its poverty is undeniably in your face, Calcutta is also overflowing with India's colonial history and a plethora of fascinating sites and experiences. On our first night we had kati rolls, which are parathas stuffed with your choice of filling from paneer to mutton. With this flavorful street food, Calcutta was off to a great start!

The Rama Krishna Mission.

Calcutta is also known for the Kalighat, a temple dedicated to Kali, widely known as the goddess of destruction. So on our first morning we hopped on the metro and made our way over. While some temples in India are quieter, the Kalighat was bustling with early morning devotees. We wandered around taking in the noises and fervent worshipers and some of us were able to witness a goat sacrifice. While it was certainly startling for those who watched, as we reflected later on several of us were reminded of what the true meaning of sacrifice means and what it truly signifies when we say that Jesus was sacrificed for us.

A roadside shrine.

We also visited Mother Teresa's Home for the Dying and the Motherhouse, her home in Calcutta. We were struck by the beauty of her ministry and how much one person was able to accomplish. Another highlight was Sari Bari, an NGO dedicated to providing an alternative livelihood for women who no longer want to participate in prostitution. They do this by teaching the women to sew and create beautiful handmade sari blankets. Our students came away inspired by the work that the staff and women do!

Our next stop was Varanasi - one of India's holiest cities. Keep an eye out for our next post!

On the Road: Hyderabad

The semester has flown by for Batch 3! We are sad to have left Coimbatore and the many good friends we have made behind us. But we are also excited for what is to come because we are on the road!

Posing at Golconda Fort!

For the next two weeks we will be traveling up to the North of the country and continuing to explore and learn about incredible India. First stop? Hyderabad!

Hyderabad is the capital of Andhra Pradesh and has a wealth of Islamic history. We will be learning more about Islam and contextualization here and visiting everything from forts to mosques.

Follow our posts as we travel and we will be sure to keep you updated! Thanks for reading.