Gul Panag Instagram – Both Rishi and I grew up as Army BRATS — forever on the move, changing schools and cities every few years. That life gave us a gift: adaptability, openness, and a deep, lived sense of India’s cultural diversity.
As parents, we often ask: how do we give Nihal even a fraction of that? How do we nurture curiosity and openness beyond what a textbook can offer?
One way has been to travel with that intention. Recently, a long weekend aligned — and it happened to coincide with Onam, which while native to Kerala, is also celebrated with gusto in Chennai. Icing on the cake: Nihal had just learnt about it in school. We thought, what better way for him to connect the dots than to experience it in real life?
And this is where @theleelapalacechennai became more than a hotel. They didn’t just host us, they enabled immersion. From arranging traditional attire for us, to curating a traditional sadya (the Onam feast served on a banana leaf), to guiding us on a visit to the Kapaleeshwar temple, and even curating an afternoon of sari shopping — each thoughtful detail added richness to the experience.
They also introduced us to Pallanguzhi, a traditional South Indian two-player board game. What began as a curious lesson in an unfamiliar game quickly turned into laughter, competition, and discovery — and has now become the household’s favorite pastime.
For Nihal, this wasn’t a classroom lesson. It was the sound of temple bells, the taste of unfamiliar flavors, the joy of seeing his parents in traditional clothes, and the excitement of mastering a new game. It was culture made tangible.
And for us, it was a reminder of why we travel: not to skim the surface of places, but to step into their rhythm. To immerse, to connect, and to carry home not just memories, but meaning. ❤️
P.S.
BRAT is an acronym for Being Relocated All the Time . And / or Born Raised And Transferred. The term is said to have originated in the US Marine Corps- post World War II. | Posted on 28/Sep/2025 10:22:42
