My Story

My mother often said that everything happens for a reason, yet when my most cherished suitcase was lost in transit, I found it difficult to accept. It was my first trip to India since moving to Sydney in 2015. I had packed five suitcases—two of which were empty, but I knew would return filled with sweets, clothes, and love.

The journey to my homeland was filled with anticipation. I eagerly awaited the warmth of family, the abundance of food, and the rich, artistic culture. One week in, my father took me to a vibrant street bazaar brimming with handicrafts, artifacts, and decor. I instantly envisioned these treasures adorning my new home, so I made a few purchases. Three days later, unable to stop thinking about the beautiful designs, I returned to buy more. By the end of my trip, I had collected ten exquisite wooden wall hangings, eager to bring them back to Sydney.

Upon my return, I stood at the baggage claim, counting my bags and anxiously awaiting my bright red suitcase. As the conveyor belt emptied, I watched as every piece of luggage disappeared—except mine. I rushed to the support desk and was informed that my suitcase had been mistakenly routed on the wrong flight but would be returned within the week. With no other option, I headed home with the four suitcases I had.

Two weeks had passed without any word about my suitcase when, one evening at 8 o’clock, a woman arrived with her car filled with lost luggage, including mine. Like a child receiving a candy bar, I eagerly unzipped it and carefully unpacked its contents. 
Proudly, I invited friends over for dinner, and they marvelled at my wall décor, sparking interest in purchasing pieces for themselves. That’s how Indicraft was born.

With this new idea in mind, my father assisted from home, shipping a carton of these hangings. I took photos using bedroom door handles and some Photoshop magic to create my first website. My daughters' bedroom was transformed into a small display studio, with the frames beautifully arranged on the walls.

Despite my walls being adorned, the puja room still felt incomplete. My idols, carefully arranged on a polished wooden table, lacked a sense of grandeur. I spent countless hours researching home temples nearby, yet nothing seemed to capture my imagination.

Many of my friends had crafted puja rooms similar to mine in their quest for beautiful home temples, but still, nothing stood out. I confidently reached out to suppliers in India, hoping to find the perfect piece, but none of them resonated with me.

It was my husband who suggested I assemble a team to bring my vision to life, creating something both original and beautiful. Inspired by his advice, I took on the challenge as an interior designer, designing home temples and sending my ideas back to India. While it was a rewarding process, it required immense effort, constantly communicating and overseeing each project through FaceTime to ensure it met my expectations.

It took me about three months to bring my vision to life. Once I was satisfied with the results, I placed my first order with the help of my father and the suppliers. I had spent my savings on a small shipment, with only five temples, to which three arrived in poor condition. The packaging was less than ideal and my display space was limited, this was a low in my career.

It had been discouraging and difficult to turn around from that experience. The two that were in acceptable shape had hit the markets, and my first few clients were overjoyed with their new home temples and excited to recommend my business to others.

A second, improved shipment followed, and I experimented with different styles. However, when COVID-19 hit, everything came to a temporary halt. At the time, our business was still small, so it wasn’t a major setback, but it did slow down our progress.

After the pandemic, as the world began to reopen, we moved to a larger space with new designs and expanded offerings. I ordered the largest container yet, allowing us to grow from home temples and wall décor to idols, Diwali decorations, and even custom-designed copper and brass items. 

Six years later, the Indicraft family has grown to over 50 people, we offer even more items, like swings and puja accessories, all year round. With offices in Maharashtra and Rajhastan, production chains across India, and warehouses in Sydney and Perth, Indicraft has flourished.


I’ve never lost a suitcase since, and as I reflect on my mother’s words, I now truly believe: everything happens for a reason.