In the beginning, our trek to Urvi Earth Centre in Vattavada, Kerala, is poetic, as all treks initially are. As we trudge a mud path that cuts through the forest, we ooh and aah at the waterfalls and the pristine meadows. The sky is rimmed deep copper, as though it is rusting at the edge. Slowly the path grows treacherous and our breathing grows laboured. As dusk gathers, the land assumes a dishevelled look. We realise we are walking deeper into the forest. Overhead, the wheeling birds turn into silhouettes and the darkness grows clamorous with insect calls.
It is with much relief that we welcome the sight of Bodhi, Urvi’s founder. He expresses no surprise at seeing two mud-splattered ragamuffins waiting by the stony track—suitcase in hand, forlorn expressions in place—and wordlessly leads us the rest of the way to the holistic nature and art retreat centre.
In his flowing pants, shepherd’s staff and hair pulled into a tight bun, Bodhi could have been a Biblical prophet sent to save lost souls, which we might very well have been. And we are not the only ones, either. There are others: an engineer from Thiruvananthapuram, a photographer from Wayanad, an artist from Bengaluru, a single mother who works at ISRO…. We are all there to soak in the charm of Urvi and its founder. Languidly clustered around a fire, hugging ourselves as the night grows chilly, we talk about our lives and our aspirations. Over pancakes served on steel plates, each of us tells why we are there. And that is when something strikes us: everyone who comes to Urvi is a seeker. They are not just there for the stunning beauty of the land or for the camping experience. They are there to fill a void within themselves. They are there to find meaning.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
A golden girl
One of India's most formidable beauties passed away earlier this month. The odd thing is she would absolutely hate this obituary; she hated being written about and avoided publicity for all of her nine decades. Indira Aswani was 93 when she died. But anyone who encountered her, even briefly, was in such awe of her grace and poise, and one could not but remember her forever.
The interest in wine is growing delightfully in India
The renowned British wine writer and television presenter Jancis Robinson, 74, recently came to Delhi and Mumbai to reacquaint herself with India's wine industry. This was the Robinson's fourth visit to India; the last one was seven years ago. On this trip, Robinson and her husband, restaurateur Nicholas Lander, were hosted by the Taj Hotels and Sonal Holland, India's only Master of Wine.
United in the states
Indian-Americans coming together under the Democratic umbrella could get Harris over the line in key battlegrounds
COVER DRIVE
Usage-driven motor insurance policies offer several benefits
GDP as the only measure of progress is illogical
Dasho Karma Ura, one of the world's leading happiness experts, has guided Bhutan's unique gross national happiness (GNH) project. He uses empirical data to show that money cannot buy happiness in all circumstances, rather it is family and health that have the strongest positive effect on happiness. Excerpts from an interview:
India is not a controlling big brother
Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay considers India a benevolent elder sibling as the \"big brotherly attitude\" is happily missing from bilateral ties. He thinks the relationship shared by the two countries has become a model of friendship not just for the region, but for the entire world. \"India's attitude is definitely not of a big brother who is controlling and does not allow the little brother to blossom and grow,\" says Tobgay in an exclusive interview with THE WEEK.
Comrade with no foes
Lal Salaam, Comrade Yechury-you were quite a guy!
Pinning down saffron
In her first political bout, Vinesh Phogat rides on the anti-BJP sentiment across Haryana
MAKE IN MANIPUR
Home-made rockets and weapons from across the border are escalating the conflict
SAHEB LOSES STEAM
Coalition dynamics and poor electoral prospects continue to diminish Ajit Pawar's political stock