India is the world’s largest democracy and one of the world’s most populous countries. As the hotbed of the world religions Hinduism and Buddhism it is also a rapidly developing country. This mix makes for a bombardment of sensory impressions.
Together we will explore Indian culture and religion, try our hand at Indian cooking, try out the art of traditional Tamil dancing and get really close to the people of this colourful and contrasting country.
”India is not a country, it is a state of mind”
Rajo Rao, Indian writer
Spirituality, Mysticism and Religion
We begin our journey in South India by exploring Tiruvannamalai, to which Indians and Westerners flock every year to meditate, practice yoga, visit the city’s famous Hindu temple and worship the holy mountain, Shiva. One early morning we will go to the top of the holy mountain and watch the sunrise over the temple.
Tiruvannamalai is the ideal place to start if one wants to understand Indian culture and religion. We delve into Eastern spirituality, mysticism and tradition when we visit the ashram of late guru Ramana Maharishi and get an introduction to yoga, meditation and dialogue between religions. We will visit NGOs and locals who fight for the rights of women and the casteless, and we will stroll the markets in search of brightly coloured saris, jewellery, flashing God figures and drink a cup of Indian chai.
We will also pay a visit to one of the many boarding schools that were originally founded by Danish missionaries to offer schooling to casteless and orphaned children. Today the school is run by the local church to give the poorest children a chance for education. We will join the children in activities and playing games.
We’re going to the market in search of colorful saris, jewelry, glittering god figures, and to enjoy a cup of Indian chai. In smaller groups, we’ll visit small local villages surrounded by rice fields, water channels, and coconut trees.
From paddy fields to slums and metropolitan skylines
From villages surrounded by paddy fields, we set course for the slums and skyline of the million-dollar city of Chennai. We will talk to young Indian people about what it’s like to live in a country that is developing at record speed and at the same time has 300-400 million poor people. In collaboration with a local NGO, we visit one of Chennai’s slums and have a talk to casteless people about life on the fringes of society.
Amidst the noise and chaos of the city, we will blend in with the hectic crowds of people on the street and enjoy a chai at the local chai-walla or at a new hip coffee bar. Nowhere else in the world do they produce as many films as in India, so naturally we will also find time to enjoy the full Indian movie experience watching a Kollywood film at the cinema.
When I look back on my time at Silkeborg Højskole I think of it as a point in time when I could recharge without having to perform and succeed. I needed that after some hectic years in high school.
Mads Emil
You should definitely join a folk high school at some point in your life! Nowhere else can you will you more about ypurself. But remember – the only thing you can be sure of is that it won’t be what you expected.
Albert
The community meant a lot to me. I knew there were always people there to catch me, join in the fun, listen, dance, swim in the lake, sing. The feeling of being one among many, as one unit, is indescribable.
Gertrud
Travel dates
Spring 2026: March 10-19, 2026
Traveling teachers
Maren Gadegaard
Teacher
Simon Stagis
Teacher