A Journey Home
- Melissa Bozzuto
- 7 hours ago
- 4 min read
Reflections on India
My recent journey to India was nothing short of transformational. I spent months preparing. Carefully planning clothing, gathering supplies, and learning what I could for the three-week experience ahead. I felt both excited and nervous, knowing this would be one of the most significant adventures of my life. I arrived ready to embrace it all with an open mind and heart.
What I wasn’t prepared for was the immediate and overwhelming feeling of coming home.
How could a place so far away, somewhere I had barely imagined visiting, feel so familiar, so peaceful, as if I had reached the end of a long journey rather than the beginning?
India meets you fully. It doesn’t hold back. The colors, the sounds, the controlled chaos of the traffic, and especially the people create an experience that is both energizing and grounding.
There is a rhythm to daily life that, at first, feels like chaos—but soon reveals itself as something deeply intuitive and alive.
What I expected to be an adventure quickly became something much more meaningful.
Gratitude showed up in the smallest moments. I found myself smiling constantly, moved by the energy of the streets, the freshness of the food, and the genuine curiosity and kindness of the people I encountered.
The Navagraha Journey
The first part of our trip began with a beautiful group gathered to study and experience the Navagraha, the nine celestial forces in Vedic tradition believed to influence different aspects of our lives, from emotions and health to destiny and spiritual growth.
We traveled through Tamil Nadu, visiting the Navagraha temples near Kumbakonam, a sacred cluster of ancient Shiva temples, each representing a different planetary energy.
Over ten days, we immersed ourselves in these spaces, experiencing their distinct qualities through ritual, color, yantra work, mythology, and yoga.
Each temple felt alive in its own way—filled with movement, devotion, and a depth of feeling that invited reflection. Offerings of flowers, coconuts, and oil became part of our daily rhythm.
Later, we would spend time coloring the corresponding yantras, a simple yet powerful meditation that helped integrate each day’s experience. The simple act of coloring and enjoying our afternoon chai with new friends was so lovely.
Beyond the temples, daily life unfolded around us in beautiful ways-colorful markets, lush farmland, and small, joyful interactions that stayed with us. It was heart-opening to witness and be a part of.
Leaving this part of the journey was unexpectedly emotional. We had created meaningful routines and shared something deeply personal as a group. There was a sense that everyone had shifted—old patterns softened, new possibilities opened.
There were many smiles, and just as many tears, as we said goodbye and continued on our individual paths.
The Ashram in Penukonda
From there, we traveled to Penukonda to visit the ashram of Swami Sri Kaleshwar.
As a longtime student, this visit had been a dream for over 17 years.
From the moment we arrived, the energy of the ashram was unmistakable—and once again, there was that same feeling of being home. Walking the grounds brought an unexpected wave of emotion. There was a familiarity that’s difficult to explain, but deeply felt.
We spent our days in meditation, sitting in the temples, visiting Swami’s samadhi, and walking through the spiritual gardens. The simplicity and sincerity of ashram life created space for clarity and connection. The staff—especially in the kitchen—welcomed us with such care and kindness that it added to the sense of ease and belonging.
A particularly meaningful experience for me was spending time at the Shirdi Sai Baba temple on the ashram grounds. It felt like everything I had been learning and practicing over the years came together in a quiet, powerful way. A full-circle moment.
My connection to Swami’s teachings continues to evolve, and I know it always will. There is always more to learn, more to experience, and more to understand. I carry that forward with curiosity, gratitude, and an open heart.
Shirdi: A Place of Devotion
The final leg of our journey took us to Shirdi, home of Shirdi Sai Baba.
Baba’s message is simple and timeless: have faith, be patient, and treat all beings with love and compassion. His teachings transcend religion, pointing instead toward unity and service to others.
Being in Shirdi was an experience I can only describe as pure joy. There was a lightness, a sense of being carried through each moment. Even now, I find myself wondering, did that really happen?
To walk where Baba lived, to participate in daily devotional practices, and to feel the devotion of those around us was profoundly moving. Every interaction—whether with priests, shopkeepers, drivers, or fellow visitors—was marked by kindness and openness.
It wasn’t just meaningful—it was joyful. Warm, welcoming, and filled with heart.
What I Brought Home
This journey changed me in ways I’m still discovering. It expanded my perspective and reminded me of the power of presence.
More than anything, it reminded me that connection, across cultures, beliefs, and backgrounds, is where the real beauty of life lives. A reminder to be kind always.
At the heart of this experience are the teachings that guide our work through
Madhukara-teachings rooted in the lineage of Swami Sri Kaleshwar. His path emphasizes direct experience, heart-centered awareness, and the understanding that true transformation comes from within.
The practices, processes, and insights we share are not abstract, they are meant to be lived, felt, and integrated into everyday life.
This journey to India wasn’t just something to witness, it was something to embody. And that is what we hope to share.
Madhukara’s mission is simple, yet deeply meaningful: to help each person find their way back to themselves. To create spaces where people feel seen, supported, and open to transformation, whether that happens through travel, spiritual practice, or shared experience.
Because in the end, this journey isn’t just about going to India.
It’s about finding your way home.