Chasing enlightenment: A French cyclist’s solo journey to discover India’s spiritual side

Team Udayavani, Apr 14, 2023, 6:54 PM IST

Mangaluru: France may be very far from India, but the quest for spirituality drew a French man towards the subcontinent.

Marceau, a 27-year-old Frenchman, was drawn to India by the deep spiritual connection he felt with the country. His quest for spiritual enlightenment and a desire to experience Indian meditation and culture led him to embark on a solo journey of 4000 km, from Kanyakumari in the south to Kashmir in the north.

It was a chance encounter to meet Marceau, who had travelled to Mangaluru via Kasaragod and was heading towards Udupi.

Marceau’s journey began in the scorching summer of 2023, and he has been sharing his travel information on Instagram. He started his journey from South India, and has been cycling through various towns and cities on his way to Kashmir. Marceau says that he is interested in going through challenges alone and experiencing Indian spirituality, meditation, and the kindness of the people.

Marceau says that he was moved by the kindness and hospitality of the people he met during his previous visit to India in 2019, and he wanted to give back to the community. He has been receiving donations through his social media profile, which he plans to share with the poor and needy through an NGO called Karuna-Shechen.

Marceau says he has not faced any big challenge so far, getting used to the food and the sweltering heat is taking some time. However, he has been cycling only till noon and resting the rest of the time. He is also enjoying the local cuisine, especially the masala dosa.

While traveling through Kanyakumari, Marceau was struck by the lifestyle of some poor people but was surprised to see them living with a smile. He says that wherever he goes, people welcome him and share food with him.

Marceau’s current goal is to reach Ladakh and meditate for a long time. He hopes to gain a deeper understanding of Indian spirituality and to experience the inner peace that comes with meditation.

– By Venu Vinod