Holy Cow!

After backpacking her way around India; 21-year-old Sarah Macdonald decided that she hated this land of chaos and contradiction with a passion; and when an airport beggar read her palm and insisted she would come back one day - and for love - she vowed never to return. But twelve years later the prophecy comes true when her partner; ABC's South Asia correspondent; is posted to New Delhi; the most polluted city on earth. Having given up a blossoming radio career in Sydney to follow her new boyfriend to India; it seems like the ultimate sacrifice and it almost kills Sarah - literally. After being cursed by a sadhu smeared in human ashes; she nearly dies from double pneumonia. It's enough to send a rapidly balding atheist on a wild rollercoaster ride through India's many religions in search of the meaning of life and death. From the 'brain enema' of a meditation retreat in Dharamsala to the biggest Hindu festival on earth on the steps of the Ganges in Varanasi; and with the help of the Dalai Lama; a goddess of healing hugs and a couple of Bollywood stars - among many; many others - Sarah discovers a hell of a lot more.