Shikhar Agnihotri – India
I arrived in Amsterdam on 23 August 2026 and along with Marja Artamaa and Janne Vuononvirta, took the train to Naarden. Manja was there to receive us at the station and drove us to the International Theosophical Centre. From the very beginning, passing through the naturally beautiful city of Naarden, I felt that it was going to be a little different from an ordinary visit.
International Vice-President Shikar Agnihotri with Marja Artamaa and Janne Vuononvirta at Schiphol Airport getting train tickets
The Centre is set in beautiful natural surroundings. There are wooded areas, plenty of greenery, and a quietness that makes you feel as if you have stepped into another dimension of space and time. It is also one of those Theosophical centres where the atmosphere is quite perceptible. There is a certain peace and vibration which are difficult to explain, but easy to feel.
One of the things I enjoyed most was walking, walking in and around the campus and once through the labyrinth. It looks quite small when you see it, and yet it takes a surprisingly long time to walk through. I remember thinking how something so small could make you walk such a long distance—and perhaps there was a lesson in that too. The longest journey we ever take is the shortest distance we travel—within ourselves.
The General Council meeting (held in Besant Hall, ITC) was the reason for this visit. It was especially good to meet the Presidents/General Secretaries of different Sections. We normally communicate through emails and screens these days, but meeting face to face has a different warmth. The sense of friendship and shared purpose is only more strengthened with these in person meetings and, of course, quite a few informal conversations outside the meetings.
The meals at the Centre in Crystal building were simple, delicious and wholesome. I particularly enjoyed the fact that meals were not just about eating. They became another opportunity to sit together, talk, laugh and get to know one another better.
I stayed at St Michael’s House, with my room looking out over a large stretch of green. It was a lovely view to wake up to. And then, almost as if Naarden wanted to leave a lasting impression with a final memory, a deer appeared there on the last day before we left, unsuspecting that it was being watched with wonder by several pairs of eyes. It was completely unexpected and made the farewell even more special.
The wonderfully kept and well-organised library was another highlight, along with the spiritually uplifting ambience of Garden of Remembrance and the quiet meditation spaces. I was particularly drawn to the beautiful small statues of Buddha and Goddess Tara, male and female principle, which are placed in the garden on either side of the pond, facing each other.
In the garden of meditation there are small statues of Buddha and Mary, at two ends facing each other. The meditation room in SMH and the bookshop in Besant Hall, each adding something special to the atmosphere of the Centre and attention to details.
I also enjoyed using the bicycle at the Centre and cycling into Naarden city. I visited the historic Naarden Fort and spent some time exploring the old town, which gave me another glimpse into the history and character of the place. It was a simple pleasure to just cycle around, without any particular hurry, and take in the surroundings.
On 28 August, I took the train back to Amsterdam to begin my journey home to Chennai.
I stayed at Naarden for only about a week, but I feel I have taken something of the place with me—the quietness of the woods, the walks, the conversations, the meals, the meetings, that unexpected deer and most importantly the vision of the work that brings us all together.
I would very much like to return someday, with family. Till it happens, the fragrance of Naarden will remain fresh within.
A heartfelt thanks to all the officers, volunteers and staff of ITC including but not limited to Arend, Ingmar, Manja and Freek for taking such wonderful care of the Centre and maintaining it with so much dedication, warmth and love.
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At St. Michael's House wirh Manja van der Toorn, longtime resident and worker at the ITC
In the beautiful Besant Hall, next to the bookshop
Looking out of the window of Shikar's room at St. Michael's
A well-known spot for all visitors to the ITC, Naarden-Bussum railway station
