“Journey of Reflection: Walk with me to experience the Calmness of Slow Travel”…Jvala

Pause and ponder to the destinations of unhurried magic.

Imagine you are traveling to an unknown, rare destination but you have an exclusive person hosting you – who may be a traditional dancer, a culture expert, a healing person, and a native of the soil, walking with you, in the pathways, in quaint streets, having meaningful conversations… Imagine if you can interact with locals, opening up to you for who you are rather than a visiting tourist… Would such an immersive travel be a delight!?

In a world that propels us forward at a relentless pace, there is a growing, enchanting movement that invites us to pause, breathe, and truly experience our life and journey. Let me take you through – Slow Travel. Traveling slow is not merely about reaching a destination; but it’s about embracing the voyage, immersing in regional culture, and enlivening every moment of the trip.

Slow Travel Meaning: In the captivating world of many hedonic destinations, slow travel is a holiday that is meant to unfold as a cherished chapter of one’s life that can be revisited fondly to enrich our present. It isn’t merely traveling: rather, it is a philosophy that emphasizes savoring the journey rather than racing to the destination.

Slow Tourism Definition: In the symphony of travel, the concept of slow tourism plays a melodious tune. It’s an approach that resonates like a gentle breeze, encouraging a deliberate pace and fostering authentic encounters. A philosophy that beckons you to embrace tranquility, gain insights, and relish every aspect of the destination. The concept of slow travel is fairly new and has taken center stage recently, captivating the hearts of travelers; especially those seeking deeper connections and authentic encounters during their escapades. It’s an ode to moments that truly transcend time and deeply resonating memories.

Enter the deeper realm of slow travel vacation!

Slow Travel destination


Slow travel is the art of traveling that prompts us to dwell longer: linger and absorb fully, allowing us to dive deeper to uncover treasures, the aspects hidden in a culture that awaits and wants to be discovered like a pearl in an oyster. Slow travel advocates for a departure from hurried schedules to a venture of mindful exploration. It embodies an ethos that compels us to soak in the destination, forge connections with the essence of the land and its nativity. This isn’t just a transition from one point to another; slow travel tours are a profound journey within but without baggage (literally and metaphorically).

Why opt for Slow Travel?

Slow Travel ensures to paint a canvas with memories that transcend normalcy. The allure of slow travel lies in its capacity to liberate us from the frenzy. The slow travel tours give us the luxury to unwind, rejuvenate, and rediscover ourselves at a natural rhythm. The pressure in the pursuit of checking destinations off a list is consciously removed, to truly experiencing the essence of destination, learning from different cultures and living it each moment to unfurl even our present. The unhurried pace lends itself to serendipity, leading to encounters and moments that are often overlooked in the mad rush of conventional travel tourism.

Benefits of Slow Travel

Since slow travel supports sustainable tourism, its intent is to explore rare, unexplored destinations for inspiration. Here are some of the benefits listed based on my personal observations and experiences. The following benefits listed have been collated from my own sojourns and memoirs in a destination that has enriched my life and being.

  • Cultural immersion and heartfelt bonds: it is a journey of connection with the nativity of the land, its people living on their own terms, allowing a personal bond and deeper meanings to blossom;
  • Treading lighter, Treading right: When one embraces the unhurried path of slow travel, they are not just exploring, but they are also contributing to the planet’s well-being. Opting for sustainable transportation and accommodations during slow travels and tours minimizes the “urban” footprint and maximize the cultural impact;
  • Rejuvenation through mindful journeys: Slow travel isn’t just about reaching a destination; it’s about taking back home the destination. By allowing the ‘self’ to disconnect from the rush of everyday life, a new discovery to a state of blissfulness will unfold when on a slow travel vacation;
  • Uncovering hidden treasures: Slow travel can unlock the door to local customs, beliefs, and traditions that only a patient explorer usually gets to savor;
  • Journey of reflection: Slow travel invites all to relish travel as an experience, allowing one to reflect and create memories that endure. Every interaction, every landscape, and every taste becomes a cherished chapter of their own unique slow travel story.


How can you embark on this uniqueness?

Here we go, in the captivating realm of slow travel, where every moment unfurls as a treasured chapter, guiding your journey requires a delicate touch and a heart attuned to the whispers of the destination. Jvala Travel, being the torchbearer of mindful Slow travel India, I invite you to delve and experience travel as it should be while I walk you through each of the curated paths as your very own slow travel host in every step of your travel. In fact, with Jvala, you can also pick any destination in India and we will curate it around a theme based on the history, esoteric and cultural aspects of the region. At Jvala, we unveil the secrets that make each travel a masterpiece, transforming each destination into an echo of wonder.

Instead of chasing landmarks at breakneck speed, we allow your spirit to be captivated by select postcard moments that will shine like constellations in your night sky. Embrace each encounter in your slow vacation as a page in your personal travel anthology, imprinting memories that linger like the fragrance of wildflowers

* Immersing in the tapestry of locale, seek solace not within four walls but in the embrace of heritage resorts and eco friendly boutique hotels or home-stays, thereby weaving you into the very fabric of the local community. As dawn hues paint the sky pink, awakening not as a visitor but as a welcomed friend

*  Meander through the whispers of Nature in this unhurried symphony of curated experiences, let the rhythm of walking tours, engagement with the host sweep you to another world and time. As your feet kiss the earth and the breeze dances through your hair, let the landscape reveal its stories, making you part of its chapter

* Step into the realm of unspoken whispers with me as your slow travel host, and let the path lead you to dance like a dervish. You can be sure that your life journey will no longer get measured in miles but will become a wave of myriad moments infused with freshness. As the sun sets on the horizon, you’ll find yourself not merely observing the world, but will learn to truly merge into it. As your host, I will also personally ensure that every moment forms a chapter, etching lasting memories in your book of travel diaries

Jvala Travel: A Path to Slow Travel Sanctuaries

Being an avid traveler myself, who has profoundly traveled, including to the highly praised: in classical literature by ancient seers and sages; or, documented by foreign ambassadors and travelers like Megasthenes and Hiuen Tsang. Jvala Travel paths are designed as slow travel India, a sanctuary for travel and culture enthusiasts, presenting a platter of slow travel destinations embodying the spirit of mindful wanderlust. A glimpse of what awaits:

  1. Khajuraho – A Reverie into the world of Kama: Step into an epoch of ancient temples adorned with intricate carvings, narrating tales of love, passion, and devotion. Khajuraho extends an invitation to ease into a realm of serenity, where time unfolds at a leisurely gait, beckoning you to experience the legacy of the past.
  2. The Pallava Passions – Laya of life: Travel back to an era of abundant time and passionate desires. Explore the UNESCO Heritage site of Mahabalipuram, trace Pallava Art and Architecture‘s evolution, and resonate with the energies of Kanchipuram’s revered temples. Engage with Kanchipuram silk weavers’ fading tradition and witness rural vistas connecting two historical cities. This immersive voyage harmonizes past and present, embracing life’s laya across time.
  3. Chola Marvels – Rupa, In Search of Forms: Sojourn to the Great Living Chola Temples. Delve in the historical legacy of the Chola dynasty at Thanjavur, where Science, Art, and Traditions intertwine. Immerse in Chola bronze sculptors‘ finesse, guided by a culture expert who will unravel aesthetic nuances. Engage with fellow Ponniyin Selvan enthusiasts to dissect characters and plots, enriching this cultural odyssey.
  4. Dravidian Treasure – An Odyssey by Road: Trail an enriching road trip to uncover the art and history of medieval Tamil kingdoms. Chase the echoes of bygone eras through rock-cut caves and rare structural temples that narrate the spirit of the land and its people. Delve into the architectural intricacies and marvel at nature’s harmony resting with man-made structures. Trek mounds and hills to discover those that are rare and that which is hidden. Savor the region’s specialties, from simple vegetarian Brahmin fare to spicy Chettinad delicacies and Tamil-Maratha-inspired cuisine.


Walk with me if you are intrigued by this timeless slow travel tourism experience. Each path I offer is woven with moments I have personally experienced, moments of tranquility, deep connections, and the beauty of every present second. Sign up to experience what sets Jvala Travel apart. As you keep pace with Jvala’s paths, you will realize that you won’t just have a guide; you’ll have a companion, a fellow traveler, and a kindred spirit walking alongside you.

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      Itinerary

      Sacred Spaces Retreat: Stillness of a Lake

      “O! Please come! Dance in my heart; hurt not your feet on the rocky slopes of Himalayas.” ~Adi Shankara
       
      Jvala is an organisation that curates experiences of sublime. It is built around Indic knowledge systems like yoga, Indian arts, heritage and history to promote the intangible cultural heritage of India. Jvala will be collaborating with the yoga studio: Tattva to conduct Yoga retreats for adults at various sacred destinations within India.
       
      Details of the Chidambaram yoga retreat
       
        Duration: 4 days 3 nights    Start/End Point : Chennai
        Participants - Yoga practitioners  Age - Between 18-45 years
        Date - Jan 25-28 2024   Destination: Tharangambadi
       
      Accommodation and Destination for retreat
       
      Tharangambadi is one of the rare attractions in Tamil Nadu. Located on the Coromandel coast, Tharangambadi is one of the finest private beaches and a perfect weekend getaway for unwinding. ‘Tharangambadi’, which literally means “the land of swinging waves”, whispers stories of the land and sweet lullabies of the ocean. It poses as the perfect place with breathtaking views of the horizon during Sun rise. The historical significance and temple heritage in and around Tharangambadi make it a perfect slow travel destination.

      Neemrana’s Bungalow on the Beach is a 17th Century Danish structure renovated to be one of the finest boutique resorts in Tamil Nadu. The architecture and its location makes it classy and apt for conducting thematic yoga on ākāśa.
       
      Itinerary
       
      Day 1
      Start from Chennai at 8:00am (brunch on the way); Reach Tharangambadi - Neemrana property Bunglow in the Beach 1pm for lunch; 4pm High Tea followed by Orientation; Enjoy Sunset by the Beach; Games; Dinner 8pm
       
      Day 2
      Yoga (asana meditative practice) 6:30-8am; Breakfast 9:00 am; Talk - Significance of Lotus; 10-12am; High tea 3-4pm; Sightseeing - Sirkazhi temple (Friday special darshan), Tharangambadi; Dinner 8pm
       
      Day 3
      Yoga 6:30-8am; Breakfast 9:00 am; Discussion and Talk - Introduction to Yogic Anatomy: Patanjali’s Mind & Body Science 10-12am; High Tea 4-5pm; Sightseeing - Poompuhar; Dinner 8pm
       
      Day 4
      Yoga 6:30-8am; Breakfast 9:00 am; Discussion and Talk - Topic: Cosmic Dance of Siva, a brief overview 10-12am; High Tea 4-5pm; Sightseeing - Tharangambadi local sight-seeing; Dinner 8pm
       
      Day 5
      Yoga 6:30-8am (Special Meditation for Chidambaram); Brunch 10:00am; Darshan at Chidambaram Temple; Return to Chennai
       

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      Itinerary

      Pallava Passion: Cultural heritage tour

      “Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.”
      ~Karunanidhi (Late CM, TN)
       
      Details of the retreat
       
        Duration: 6 (+6) hours   Purpose: South Indian Temple Art appreciation
        Participants: Art enthusiasts & connoisseurs  Destinations: Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram
        Date: Dec 3, 10; Dec 17, 24    Group Size: Min 10- Max 20 registrations only
       
      Itinerary for Mahabalipuram
       
      • Tour starts at Dakshinachitra, Chennai
      • Talk: Significance of Rock-cut art; Contributions of Pallava dynasty to Rock-cut art
      • Break for a classic South Indian Breakfast
      • Proceed to Mahabalipuram
      • 3 hours Heritage Walk of the Dravidian rock-cut cave temples at Mahabalipuram
      • 3 Stages of mature Dravidian rock-cut caves
      • Speciality of Pancha Rathas in Dravidian temple art
      • Tour Ends at Egmore Museum/ Concert hall
       
      Itinerary for Kanchipuram
       
      • Tour starts at OMR, Chennai
      • Talk: Obsessions of pan-Indian artisans: Iconography and Significance of Mahishasura Mardini and Varaha
      • Break for a classic South Indian Breakfast
      • Proceed to Kanchipuram
      • 3 hours Heritage Walk at Kanchipuram heritage sites
      • One early Pallava Rock-cut Cave
      • 2 Must-see structural temples of Pallava-s
      • Interact with Kanchipuram silk weavers
      • Tour Ends at Egmore Museum/ Concert hall
       
      Cost: INR 5500/day trip*
      *Conditions Apply. Price is indicative and calculated for a Group of 10 based on a specific venue
       
      Includes:
      • Breakfast, Refreshments - Tender Coconut Water, Buttermilk
      • Remuneration of Culture host
      • Guided Tour at Heritage sites
      • Entry fee at Heritage sites
      • Logistic from Start and End point of Tour
       
      Does not Include:
      • Lunch
      • Other temples/ structures at the destination
      • Recreational sport at the destination
      • Concert entry fee

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