Sometimes, all you need is a trail, fresh air, and a reason to step away from the noise of everyday life.
This hike was one of those days.
As I walked deeper into the forest, surrounded by towering trees and the sound of flowing water, I found myself slowing down. There were no deadlines, no notifications, and no rush to be anywhere else.
What I remember most isn’t the waterfall itself. It’s the feeling of being present. The feeling of breathing a little deeper, thinking a little clearer, and appreciating the simple beauty around me.
Some journeys take us across countries. Others take us back to ourselves. This was one of those journeys. 🌿💧
Sometimes nature gives us exactly what we didn’t know we needed. 🌿💧🥾
After our time in Shirdi, the journey continued to Trimbakeshwar, one of the twelve sacred Jyotirlingas dedicated to Lord Shiva.
The journey itself was memorable. We travelled by car before completing the final stretch by auto. As we got closer to the temple, the atmosphere began to change. The closer we got, the more devotees we saw arriving from different parts of India, all sharing a common purpose: devotion and prayer.
One thing that immediately stood out was the level of security and discipline around the temple. Mobile phones were not allowed inside, which meant there would be no photographs or videos to capture what I was about to experience.
Looking back, I think that was a blessing.
Without a phone in my hand, there were no distractions.I was simply present in the moment.
The temple was crowded, as expected. Devotees patiently waited for their turn, each carrying their own prayers, hopes, and gratitude. Despite the crowds, there was a unique sense of calm that seemed to exist within the temple grounds.
As I entered and had the opportunity to stand before Lord Shiva, I felt something difficult to describe.
The best word I can find is goosebumps.
For a brief moment, everything around me seemed to fade away. The sounds, the movement, the crowds, all became secondary. It was one of those rare experiences where you stop thinking and simply feel.
What made the visit even more special was that I managed to find a small moment to sit down, pray, and meditate.
Even today, I don’t know how it happened.
Thousands of devotees were present, yet somehow I found a few quiet moments to myself. Sitting there in prayer, I felt a sense of peace that is difficult to put into words. It wasn’t dramatic or overwhelming. It was simple, calm, and deeply personal.
Sometimes we travel to see a place and to experience something.
And sometimes we travel without realizing that a place is going to leave a lasting impression on us.
For me, Trimbakeshwar was one of those places.
When I finally left the temple, I carried with me more than memories of the visit. I left with a peaceful heart, a clearer mind, and a renewed sense of gratitude.
The experience reminded me that everything happens for a reason. Certain journeys enter our lives exactly when we need them, and this visit felt like one of those moments.
But perhaps some moments are meant to be remembered by the heart rather than the camera.
When I travelled to India in December 2023, visiting Shirdi Sai Baba Temple was one of the experiences I looked forward to the most.
Like many devotees, I arrived in Shirdi seeking blessings and spiritual connection. However, what made this journey truly memorable was not only visiting the temple, but also having the opportunity to participate in seva, an act of selfless service that lies at the heart of Sai Baba’s teachings.
One of the most meaningful parts of the trip was helping to prepare and serve food for the underprivileged and homeless around the area. It was a humbling experience. Standing side by side with others, cooking and serving meals, reminded me that sometimes the simplest acts of kindness can have the greatest impact.
Sai Baba often emphasized compassion, charity, and helping those in need. During those moments of seva, I felt connected to those teachings in a way that went beyond words. It was not about giving. It was about sharing, understanding, and recognizing our common humanity.
We also had the opportunity to perform seva within the temple precincts. Surrounded by devotees from different backgrounds and walks of life, I was reminded that faith has a unique way of bringing people together. Despite our differences, everyone shared a common purpose: devotion, gratitude, and service.
Of course, the visit to Sai Baba’s Samadhi Mandir was deeply moving. Standing before the sacred shrine after years of hearing stories about Shirdi was a moment I will never forget. Amidst the crowds, there was a sense of peace that is difficult to describe, as though the noise of everyday life had temporarily faded into the background.
During our stay in Shirdi, we also visited the Khandoba Temple, a significant place in Sai Baba’s history. It is believed that when Sai Baba first arrived in Shirdi, the temple priest, Mhalsapati, welcomed him with the words “Aao Sai,” a greeting that eventually became the name by which he would be known. Visiting the temple offered a deeper appreciation of the beginnings of Sai Baba’s journey in Shirdi and the lasting impact he would have on millions of devotees.
Visiting the place where Sai Baba was first welcomed into Shirdi, a small temple with a profound place in his story.
Another memorable stop was the Hanuman Temple. Although smaller and quieter compared to some of the other sacred sites, it provided a peaceful space for prayer and reflection. Dedicated to Lord Hanuman, a symbol of devotion, strength, and humility, the temple served as another reminder of the spiritual values that this journey had encouraged me to reflect upon.
A quiet moment for prayer and reflection during a journey filled with spiritual experiences.
As the days passed, I realized that this trip was not just about visiting religious sites. It was about slowing down, reconnecting with myself, and stepping away from the pressures of everyday life. The combination of prayer, seva, and reflection made this one of the most meaningful journeys I have ever undertaken.
Looking back, what remains with me are not only the photographs or the memories of the places I visited, but the lessons I learned through service, gratitude, and faith.
My visit to Shirdi was more than a pilgrimage.
It was a reminder that sometimes the greatest journeys are the ones that bring us closer to ourselves.
Next →
Standing Before One of the Twelve Jyotirlingas: Trimbakeshwar
In December 2023, I embarked on my second international trip, a 12-day journey to India that took me to Shirdi and Mumbai.
Unlike my first international trip to Singapore, which was filled with excitement and adventure, this journey had a different purpose. It was a spiritual trip, a chance to step away from the routines and pressures of everyday life and spend time reflecting, reconnecting, and finding a sense of inner peace.
At the time, I needed a break. Life had become busy, and like many people, I found myself caught up in responsibilities, deadlines, and the demands of daily living. I wasn’t looking for luxury or entertainment. I was looking for something deeper, a change of environment that would help me slow down and gain perspective.
Shirdi had long been a place I wanted to visit. As the home of Sai Baba, it attracts millions of devotees from around the world, each bringing their own prayers, hopes, and gratitude. Walking through the town and visiting the sacred sites was a humbling experience. There was a sense of devotion and faith that could be felt everywhere.
What stayed with me most was not the crowds or the ceremonies, but the quiet moments in between. Moments of reflection. Moments of gratitude. Moments that reminded me to appreciate the things I often take for granted.
After spending time in Shirdi, the journey continued to Mumbai. The city offered a completely different experience. The energy, movement, and diversity of Mumbai were unlike anything I had experienced before. From bustling streets to historic landmarks, every corner seemed to tell a story of its own.
The contrast between the spiritual calm of Shirdi and the vibrant pace of Mumbai made the trip even more memorable. It felt like experiencing two different sides of India in a single journey.
Looking back, this trip became much more than a holiday.
It reminded me how valuable it is to step away from familiar surroundings every once in a while. Travel has a way of helping us see life from a different perspective. It challenges us, inspires us, and sometimes gives us exactly the pause we didn’t realize we needed.
Most importantly, this journey reignited my passion for travel.
After years without an international trip, India reminded me why I loved exploring new places in the first place. It sparked a curiosity that eventually led me to plan more journeys, take more photographs, and start this blog.
When I boarded the flight home after twelve unforgettable days, I carried more than just memories and photographs with me. I returned with a renewed appreciation for travel, faith, and the importance of taking time to reconnect with ourselves.
Looking back now, I realize that this trip wasn’t just a journey to India.
It was the beginning of a new chapter.
Twelve days in India. A journey that began as a spiritual retreat became the trip that reignited my love for travel. Shirdi gave me peace and together they reminded me that sometimes the journeys we need most are the ones that help us reconnect with ourselves.
If someone had asked me a few years ago whether I considered myself a traveler, I probably would have said no.
My first international trip was to Singapore when I was 23 years old. I travelled with my colleagues from Maxis, and like many first-time travellers, I was excited about everything. One of the highlights of that trip was visiting Universal Studios Singapore. I still remember the excitement of being in a different country, experiencing a different environment, and realizing how much there was to see beyond the places I was familiar with.
After that trip, life took over.
Work, responsibilities, and the routines of everyday life gradually became the priority. Before I knew it, years had passed without another international adventure. Travel became something I occasionally thought about rather than something I actively pursued.
Then something changed.
I found myself wanting to experience new places again. Not because I wanted to tick countries off a list or follow travel trends, but because I missed the feeling of discovering something unfamiliar. I missed the excitement of planning a journey, exploring a new destination, and creating memories that would stay with me long after the trip ended.
So I started travelling again.
What began as simple day trips and short adventures soon reminded me why I enjoyed travelling in the first place. Whether it was watching a sunset in Raglan, visiting historic sites, or standing quietly in nature, each experience offered something different. Some moments were breathtaking, while others were wonderfully ordinary. Both were equally meaningful.
That’s one of the reasons I created Beyond The Horizon.
This blog is my personal travel journal, a place where I can document my experiences, photographs, lessons, and reflections as I explore new destinations. It’s not about being an expert. It’s about embracing the journey and sharing it along the way.
Interestingly, after many years since that first trip to Singapore, my second international journey took me somewhere completely different: India. That trip turned out to be far more meaningful than I expected and reminded me why travel has such a powerful way of broadening our perspective.
I’ll be sharing that story in an upcoming post, so stay tuned.
For now, I’m simply enjoying the journey, one destination at a time.
Every traveller has a starting point.
Singapore was mine.
And this is just the beginning.
Great company. Great memoriesA journey I’ll never forget. ✈️🌍
Beyond The Horizon 