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Indian tigers: the inspiration behind our Durga adjustable ring.
Oct 14, 2022
Insiders guide: Discovering the tigers of Rajasthan.
I have always wanted to visit the tiger reserve at Ranthambore, my chance came just before Covid broke out. My long time good friend has worked with this reserve for many years and has raised over half a billion dollars to help give the tigers the land that they need in order to prosper and survive.
It meant whole communities had to be moved, houses, schools, sanitation, roads, water, access - it was a huge project and I was lucky enough to travel with him to see the good work that has been and is being done. I wanted to discover how people and animals can live side by side in harmony.
Visit the Ranthambore tiger reserve.
Set up by Fateh Singh Rathore, known as the “Tiger Man of India.” He was guardian to the forests of Rajasthan’s for more than fifty years. But, Ranthambhore was always his first love.
It was he, more than any other man, who transformed a degraded forest occupied by more than a dozen villages into the most celebrated tiger reserve in India.
His beautiful home is now home to his son and family who run it as a homestay - there is in my eyes no better place to stay. It's much more than a place to rest your head, you are right on the edge pf the park. I was lucky enough to take tea with his son and hear his stories abut the past and visions for the future with the backdrop of roaring leopards.
Book your stay here
How to get to Ranthambhore.
I use Fancy Car who drove me from Jaipur to the Homestay and stayed with me for two nights, the journey takes around 6 hours. The car is air conditioned and the drivers are brilliant. I also use them for getting around Jaipur too.
If you want to use Fancy Car you can message Suresh on instagram here
I fly into Mumbai as it's a friendly city with lots to do and then I catch a flight to Jaipur. Flights cost around £60 - India is cheap to get around.
I travel Air India as they allow the biggest luggage allowance - always check when you are booking internal flights what the allowance is. You can book your flights through Booking.com
Fateh's homestay will book your jeep to come and collect you early in the morning to take you into the park and they will organise your food too - delicious Indian home cooking!
If you are looking for 5 star (I love a homestay more as it gives you a greater connection to where you are) The Oberoi does not disappoint. I had a great lunch there and when I visited we were lucky enough to have a meeting with two tiger spies - it is there job to keep an eye on the tiger population to stop poaching.
Visit the Oberoi here
Whilst you are there you can also take. walk up to the
Trinetra Ganesh Temple.
People come from all over the world to get their blessings. The Ganesh go is the remover of obstacles, good fortune, wisdom, wealth and education.
You may have to dodge the monkey tower on your walk up!
This was a life changing fascinating trip and easy to do on a budget.
The new tigers eye adjustable ring.
Since then I have been working on various designs using tigers eye a beautiful soft ochre brown gemstone thats worn for grounding and to ward off ill wishes from others, it is used to dispel negative thoughts and is said to release negative energy and fear. I decided to call her Durga.
The meaning of Durga.
Goddess Durga symbolises the divine forces (positive energy) known as divine shakti (feminine energy/ power) that is used against the negative forces of evil and wickedness. She protects her devotees from evil powers and safeguards them.
The Durga god was a woman riding a tiger with 8 arms that she used to shield and ward off evil.
The Durga Tigers Eye adjustable ring epitomises all that Durga stands for.
Discover her here.
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