Soulful Nishi

In May 2025, we spent ten days in Bhutan, followed by two nights in Delhi, and then a four-day trip to Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the UAE.

These two places couldn’t be more different, and experiencing them one after the other made this journey truly special and thought-provoking.

Bhutan felt like a different world. It’s a small, peaceful country in the Himalayas, where life moves slowly and calmly. People are simple, kind, and deeply spiritual. Nature is untouched, and the environment feels pure and serene. There are no tall buildings or noisy roads—just green mountains, fresh air, and a deep sense of inner peace. Bhutan measures its progress through Gross National Happiness, not just money or development. Being there made us feel grounded and connected to something deeper. It reminded us of the beauty of silence, simplicity, and inner joy.

Then we arrived in the UAE—Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The contrast was striking. Dubai is filled with skyscrapers, highways, luxury malls, and countless American stores, franchises, and restaurants. It felt like a mini-America in the desert. Life there is fast-paced, modern, and focused on growth and entertainment. We visited iconic places like Burj Khalifa, enjoyed a Marina dinner cruise, explored Ferrari World and Heritage Village, and had lunch at the grand Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi. The scale of everything was impressive.

Amidst all this, one experience stood out—our visit to the BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu Temple in Abu Dhabi. A Hindu temple built with such beauty and devotion in a Muslim country was a powerful reminder of faith, unity, and shared humanity. We also visited the Grand Mosque, which offered another peaceful and spiritual moment, even in the midst of a very modern setting.

So what did this journey mean to us?

Bhutan showed us the spiritual side of life—calm, quiet, and inward. The UAE showed us the material side—dynamic, outward, and full of ambition. And both are real. Both are needed. Life isn’t only about renouncing the world or chasing success—it’s about knowing how to stay balanced between the two.

The real lesson is about finding balance between materialism and spiritualism. Knowing when to slow down and when to move forward. When to reflect within, and when to act in the world. One without the other feels incomplete.

This journey helped us experience both aspects—spiritual and material—and reminded us that true happiness comes when we live with awareness, balance, and harmony between these two worlds.

In Dubai

A beautiful Hindu Temple (Swami Narayan) in a Muslim Country Abudabi of UAE.

In Bhutan

In Bhutan