I still remember that quiet moment in the divine lanes of Ujjain, the scent of incense hanging in the air and temple bells echoing in the distance. I turned to my mother and said softly, “Now only Indore is left… we’ll go there next time.”

It felt like a passing wish, one of those lines we say casually not realizing the universe is listening. But the divine, they say, has a beautiful sense of timing ✨ Just a few days later, in July, we received an invitation for my cousin’s wedding in Indore.

I looked at my mother and smiled, “Mummy, remember what we said in Ujjain? Looks like Mahakaal heard us” Sometimes destiny doesn’t just open doors, it sends you an engraved invitation. And this wasn’t just any time to visit Indore. It was Navratri, when devotion paints the skies red and gold, when the night air trembles with dhol beats and chants of “Jai Ambe Maa”. Every street becomes a celebration of Shakti, strength, love and creation.

But every memorable journey begins with a test of patience. When we checked for train tickets directly to Indore, not a single seat was available. For a moment, our excitement dimmed and it felt like maybe the plan wasn’t meant to be.

I still remember calling my sister to share the news, expecting sympathy. Instead, she paused and said calmly, “Why don’t you try via Bhopal?”

That one simple line changed everything. Within minutes of checking, we had confirmed tickets to Bhopal. I laughed and said, “We should have thought of that earlier, looks like Maa Durga’s giving us a scenic route this time.”

And suddenly, the whole journey took on a new energy – a divine rhythm. Bags were packed with a sense of purpose, hearts light and eager.

It was no longer just a trip to attend a wedding, it felt like a pilgrimage stitched by fate. As if somewhere between Mahakaal’s blessings and Maa Durga’s grace, the road to Indore had been carved especially for us. 🌸

And the Journey Begins:

Leaving Delhi, the excitement was unmistakable, that pre-journey buzz you can almost feel in the air. Train journeys in India have their own heartbeat and for me, they’ve always carried a special kind of nostalgia. The rhythmic clatter of wheels, the occasional chai chai! call at stations, fleeting conversations with co-passengers and the slow, cinematic unfolding of landscapes outside the window – it’s a world in itself.

There was no rush, no anxiety – just stillness. Every moment felt like a frame worth capturing, a quiet reminder to simply be. With each passing mile, my heart whispered softly, “Indore, here we come.”

Back in Delhi, the heat was almost unbearable – the kind that makes you long for shade or a gust of mercy from the wind. As we moved past Delhi and crossed Gwalior, the sun still played fierce but the journey itself began to work its charm. By the time we reached Jhansi, nature seemed to ease her tone – the weather grew gentler, the air softer as if preparing us for the beauty that awaited ahead.

And then came the magic, from Jhansi onwards, everything changed. Mountains appeared in the distance, rain began to trace patterns on the window and clouds rolled across the sky like silk drapes. The winding path ahead surrounded by hills, felt like we were being welcomed into a palace built by nature herself. I was in awe, speechless, spellbound. My mother dozed peacefully beside me but I couldn’t close my eyes even for a moment.

There’s a beautiful Bollywood saying: “Agar Shiddat se koi cheez maango to puri kaynaat use tumse milane ki saazish karti hai.” Well it was meant for love but in my case, that love is black coffee ☕ And guess what? For the first time in my life, I found black coffee on a train! I couldn’t believe it. I thanked the uncle at the pantry with all my heart, he had no idea he had just made my entire journey.

When we reached Bhopal, the City of Lakes greeted us with serenity, soft drizzle, white clouds hanging low and that unmistakable calm that instantly slows your heartbeat. From there, we booked a cab to Indore. And the very moment we stepped into it, the rain started again. Ufffff… it felt like the skies were choreographing a welcome just for us.

Before leaving Bhopal, my mother reminded me of something deeply Indian “khushbu, mithai lena na bhoolna!” Because in every Indian wedding, sweets are more than just food; they’re blessings wrapped in sugar, a symbol of wishing sweetness for the couple’s future.

Our driver, a cheerful local, suggested we stop by Manohar Sweets and oh, what a delight that was! The moment I stepped in, I felt like I’d entered a food lover’s paradise. The air was thick with the aroma of freshly made chaat, pav bhaji sizzling on the tawa and that unmistakable hint of ghee and cardamom wafting from the sweet counter. From kaju and dates mithai to biryani and chaats, everything looked like it had been prepared with devotion. The decor too : traditional yet modern reflected the charm of Bhopal itself. I stood there for a while, just taking it all in, before buying the sweets that almost felt too pretty to eat.

And then began our road drive from Bhopal to Indore – smooth highways, emerald countryside, rain-kissed trees and that comforting sense that we were entering a land that holds both heritage and modernity with equal grace. The windows were rolled down, raindrops painting little constellations on the glass and for the first time in a long time, everything felt exactly right.

Indore: More Than Just a Wedding Destination

This wasn’t just about attending our cousin’s reception, it felt like something far greater, something divinely orchestrated. A journey that went beyond family ties, gently weaving us into the soul of the city itself ✨

From the moment we arrived, Indore greeted us like an old friend with open arms, vibrant streets and laughter that carried on the wind. The entire city seemed to hum with devotion. Every corner shimmered with lights, every courtyard echoed with the rhythm of dandiya and garba and every face reflected the joy of Maa Durga’s presence.

It didn’t feel like we were walking through a city; it felt like we had stepped into a living temple where music, color and prayer danced together. The fragrance of marigolds mixed with incense smoke, the sound of ghunghroos merged with laughter and strangers smiled like extended family.

As the wedding celebrations unfolded, the boundaries between a family event and a spiritual festival dissolved. One moment we were clapping to the beats of garba, the next we were whispering silent prayers of gratitude. The reception became a celebration of togetherness and the festival became an offering of love and devotion.

In between shared meals, teasing cousins, meeting new people and the laughter that echoed past midnight, I found myself pausing, just to breathe it all in. The glow of diyas, the rhythm of drums, the grace in every twirl – it was as if Maa Durga herself was reminding us of life’s simple yet sacred joys.

That night, under the Indore sky, I realized this wasn’t just a trip. It was a calling, a divine reminder:

🌸 to strengthen bonds that time can never break,

🎨 to witness colors that will never fade,

💫 and to collect stories that will live in our hearts forever.

Because sometimes, the universe doesn’t send us on journeys, it sends us on homecomings. ❤️

The Indore I Had Dreamt Of

From the grand reception halls to the narrow, bustling streets, Indore shimmered with life. Every corner glowed with festivity, laughter spilling from homes, devotional songs echoing from temples and the aroma of ghee-laden delicacies drifting through the air. It felt as though the entire city was wrapped in celebration, radiating warmth and togetherness.

The hospitality of Indore was something else altogether – heartfelt, unpretentious and overflowing with generosity. People you met once greeted you like family. Plates were never empty, conversations were never hurried and smiles were never scarce. The food – oh, the food! was not just delicious, it was soulful. Each bite told a story of tradition, of recipes passed down through generations and of a city that loves deeply through its flavours.

The festive air was intoxicating, lights dancing on every balcony, rhythmic beats of garba and dandiya echoing across streets and joy that felt contagious. We had come for a wedding but somewhere between the laughter of cousins, the blessings of elders and the taste of freshly made poha-jalebi in the morning breeze, we found ourselves falling in love with Indore’s spirit.

By the time we packed our bags to leave, it no longer felt like we were saying goodbye to a city, it felt like parting from a friend who had shown us its heart.

In that quiet moment before departure, I remembered my passing wish in Ujjain – that one day, we’d visit Indore. Little did I know that what began as a casual promise would turn into something far more profound – a journey not planned but destined.

✨ Indore was never just a stop on our itinerary, it was a calling. And I’m so grateful I answered.

✨ Next Stop: Indore(A Feast for the Soul)

If Ujjain stirred my devotion, Indore awakened my senses.

The city that greeted me with rain and rhythm soon revealed another side – one that speaks through flavours, fragrances and faith.

From the first sip of frothy shikanji on Sarafa’s glittering lanes to the early morning poha-jalebi melting into sunshine, Indore felt like a celebration that never ends. Every corner offered something to taste, something to feel and something to remember.

But Indore isn’t just about food, it’s where spiritual calm and cultural energy walk hand in hand. The serene aura of Annapurna Temple, the divine blessings at Khajrana Ganpati and the quiet elegance of its royal palaces made me realize that this city holds the perfect balance between devotion and delight.

Every moment, from temple bells to sizzling tavas whispered the same truth: Indore doesn’t just welcome you; it embraces you.

Stay tuned, because in the next blog, I’ll take you through:

🌸 The temples that radiate divine peace,

🍛 The food that defines Indore’s soul and

🏰 The palaces that echo stories of timeless grace.

Trust me, the journey only gets richer from here.