She Dreamed of a Wedding in India…
One of my greatest joys in life?
Casually, spontaneously making someone’s dream come true. (It’s kind of my superpower.)
A few months ago, I asked my dear friend Barbara what was on her bucket list. Without missing a beat, she said, “Attend a real Indian wedding… in India.”
I grinned, flipped my cosmic Rolodex, and said, “I can make that happen.”
Plot twist? I’d already been invited to a multi-day wedding extravaganza at a palace in Jaipur… and had originally RSVP’d no. But suddenly the universe nudged: Why not go?
Brian was thrilled to stay home with the cats and binge-watch March Madness in peace. And me? I decided it was time for a juicy “push present” to celebrate the upcoming release of The Love Thief (Hay House, July 22 — preorders encouraged).
So I mapped out a dream itinerary — a 16-day magical mystery tour across the India I’ve loved for decades. This would be my 8th visit (yes, eighth) — and Barbara was game for every divine, delicious, and dazzling moment.
From holy rivers to sacred rituals, lavish palaces to masala dosas, flower offerings to fire ceremonies, this was a soul-feeding, heart-opening adventure of a lifetime. And of course, it all ended in a royal wedding filled with glam, glitter, and global joy.
As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words — so come along for the ride!
(Click on images for larger view, captions are under each photo, and maybe pack your bags for next time.)
New Delhi – Namaste, New Delhi! You’ve Had a Makeover
After a 15.5-hour flight from Chicago, Barbara and I landed in New Delhi expecting the familiar chaos—and instead got a jaw-dropping surprise! As we cruised from the airport to our beloved hotel (the iconic Taj on Mansingh Road), I couldn’t believe my eyes. This wasn’t the Delhi I met back in 1996—this was a whole new vibe.
Gone was the scent of kerosene in the air. No more dusty cows weaving through traffic or endless honking (it’s now illegal to blow your horn unless it’s a true emergency—who knew?). The sidewalks were clear of tarps and makeshift homes, and even the infamous corner-pee-ers had vanished! In their place? Glitzy, manicured neighborhoods that gave off serious Beverly Hills energy. Yep, that fancy.
This dream trip was brought to life by my dear friend Jai and the magic-makers at Athma Tours. They thought of everything—including my favorite breakfast: a crispy, golden masala dosa. Imagine an Indian burrito meets a French crepe, made from chickpea or lentil flour and lovingly stuffed with spiced potatoes. It comes with sambar, a fiery gravy-like dish that nearly set my taste buds on fire, Barbara fell IN LOVE with Indian food!.
Our charming guide, Pia, and driver whisked us away on a full-day adventure. First stop: shopping for wedding outfits for the upcoming Jaipur festivities (because, priorities). Then off to stunning UNESCO World Heritage site—an ancient Mughal mosque built by the same visionary behind the Taj Mahal. And finally, a thrilling, time-travel-style wander through the tangled alleyways of Old Delhi, where life unfolds just as it has for centuries. Carts stacked with flower garlands, sizzling street food, and ancient doorways that seem to whisper their secrets if you lean in close enough. It was gritty, magical, and absolutely unforgettable.
Varanasi – Where Heaven Kisses Earth
If Delhi was a surprise, Varanasi was a full-body exhale into the sacred. One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities on Earth, Varanasi isn’t just a place—it’s a portal. A holy threshold. A destination where devout Hindus come not just to live, but to die. Because to be cremated on the banks of the Ganges—the holiest river in India—is believed to liberate the soul from the cycle of rebirth.
And how did we arrive? By boat, of course.
Gliding across the sunlit Ganga in a 30-minute cruise felt like drifting into another dimension. The skyline unfurled like a painter’s fever dream: spire-topped temples, crumbling sandstone palaces, and buildings splashed with every hue in the Crayola box. Life pulsed on the banks in sacred rhythm—priests, pilgrims, and monkeys all playing their part.
Every 50 yards or so, we passed another ghat, where open-air cremations unfold daily. Families gather in reverence, purchasing wood and fire, watching their loved ones return to ash and river. Hours into the burn, the eldest son (or daughter, if no son is present) takes a bamboo stick and gently breaks the skull—releasing the soul to the cosmos. Ancient, intimate, and utterly humbling.
Our hotel, the Brij Rama Palace, sat like a queen at Darbhanga Ghat, facing the Ganges with timeless grace. Originally built in 1812, then acquired and enhanced by royalty, it boasts one of Asia’s very first elevators—installed in 1915! Inside, it’s a reverent swirl of old-world elegance: carved wooden doors, soulful sculptures, and walls lined with exquisite paintings. The staff? Think fairy godparents with five-star training.
As if by divine appointment, I found myself receiving a Vedic palm reading—right there in the lobby. No planning, no asking… it just happened. That’s the Varanasi magic: your soul whispers, and the city answers.
That evening, we boarded a boat to witness the sunset aarti ceremony—a dazzling devotional ritual of chanting, fire, and flowers offered to the river goddess. We lit palm-leaf baskets filled with marigolds and flickering candles, gently releasing them into the water. It felt like saying a prayer with your hands.
Before sunrise the next day, we returned to the river. The early light bathed the ghats in gold as we watched morning rituals unfold—bathers dipping reverently into the water, yogis meditating, priests chanting. Varanasi at dawn isn’t something you see. It’s something you feel.
Agra – The Eternal Love Letter in Stone
Welcome to Agra, home of the Taj Mahal—the most visited, most photographed, most swoon-worthy monument in the world. And trust me, she earns every bit of that reputation.
Commissioned in 1631 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, the Taj was built as a tomb and tribute to his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died giving birth to their 14th child (yes, fourteenth—I’ll just let that sink in). Grief-stricken and heart-shattered, Shah Jahan vowed to honor her with a structure so beautiful it would make the heavens weep—and he did just that. It took over 20,000 artisans and 22 years to complete this marble masterpiece, which now stands as the world’s most iconic symbol of eternal love.
We arrived in time for sunset at the Oberoi Amarvilas, the dreamiest hotel in Agra, where every room has a direct view of the Taj. We went for dinner and arrived early to watch the sun set on the Taj Mahal under a crescent moon and candlelight! Picture this: sipping something bubbly on a terrace while the marble dome blushes in the pink-orange glow of dusk. It’s like watching love itself turn golden.
But the real magic? Sunrise at the Taj Mahal.
As the first light tiptoes across the sky, the Taj glows from within—soft, serene, and surreal. Walking through the grand archway that perfectly frames her… it’s not just a monument. It’s a portal. A meditation. A divine whisper that love—real, devoted, soul-twined love—is the greatest legacy we can leave behind.
Jaipur – Palaces, Parties & a Wild Leopard Sighting
And then came Jaipur, the fabled Pink City—where history drips in gemstones and every corner looks like a Wes Anderson film set.
The wedding took place at none other than the iconic Rambagh Palace, once the opulent home of the Maharaja and Maharani of Jaipur. Yes, that Maharani—Gayatri Devi—renowned as the most beautiful woman in India. But she wasn’t just a pretty face; she was a fierce pioneer, blazing trails in politics and humanitarian work, all while dripping in pearls and poise. Her spirit still lingers in the corridors, whispering elegance and rebellion in the same breath.
The celebrations? Epic doesn’t even begin to cover it.
Hosted by the ever-fabulous Jai (the groom’s radiant mother and my dear friend), the wedding was a three-day kaleidoscope of joy, laughter, music, and nonstop revelry. Morning ceremonies, afternoon feasts, evening dance parties under the stars—this was a true global lovefest. The bride, Jess, from Colombia, and the groom, Varun, with roots in India and Miami, created a wedding that was a delicious fusion of cultures, colors, and pure heart.
Everywhere you turned: laughter, drumming, shimmering saris, barefoot dancing, and magic in the air.
And just when we thought it couldn’t get more surreal—we went on a leopard safari at dawn. Wrapped in morning mist, we sat quietly near a waterhole… and there she was. A stunning leopard, wild and regal, gliding into view. No drama, no sound—just awe. A perfect moment of stillness in the middle of so much celebration.
Sangeet Party
Mehendi Party
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Samode Palace
Kerala – Blissed Out on the Backwaters
When planning this journey, I saved the best for last—and oh, was it worth it.
Welcome to Kerala, a lush, tropical paradise along the southwestern coast of India, where the air is thick with jasmine, the rhythm of life is slower, and every breeze seems to carry a secret.
Our destination: Kumarakom Lake Resort—my absolute favorite resort on the planet. Getting there took a full day of travel, but every minute was worth it. Before checking in, we explored Jew Town in Kochi, a charming historic enclave with a 400-year-old synagogue built by Portuguese Jews. We wandered through antique shops, book-filled corners, and rows of colorful crafts and flowing cotton clothes (yes, I made a few necessary purchases).
The nearly two-hour drive to the resort ran alongside the Arabian Sea, and of course, we had to stop to dip our feet into its bathwater-warm salt waves.
And then… we arrived.
Kumarakom Lake Resort is serenity incarnate. Imagine tea gardens, elegant houseboats, and an Ayurvedic spa that doesn’t just pamper—it transforms. We indulged in a four-hand sesame oil massage, followed by Shirodhara, where warm oil is streamed rhythmically across the forehead. The result? Total, drooling bliss.
Our room (with heavenly air-conditioning, hallelujah!) had a private outdoor bathroom and French doors that opened directly into the meandering pool system that winds through the property like a liquid path to new friendships.
Each night before sunset, a small boat with live flute and tabla players took us onto Vembanad Lake, India’s largest, for a floating meditation as the sky melted into orange and rose. And at dawn, we glided through the Kerala backwaters, passing rice paddies and homes on stilts, witnessing the quiet poetry of daily life lived in harmony with water.
This was my third visit to this extraordinary resort, and yes—I’m already scheming my return.
Arabian Sea
Backwater Canal Lotus
Resort Hotel Room
Reflections – India, You Have My Heart
As I wrapped up my journey to India, I found myself feeling what I always feel when I leave: expanded, enchanted, and a little undone in the best way.
India is not just a place—it’s a pulse. A paradox. A mirror. A muse. She will awaken your senses, test your patience, melt your heart, and remind you what it means to be alive. Whether you go for the temples or the textiles, the street food or the soul work, the wild weddings or the whisper of the Himalayas… she meets you where you are—and then takes you deeper.
And me? I’ll be back. Always.
