“His (Lord Krishna’s) teachings are relevant today as they were before and they always will be,” Gabbard said.

Reflecting on her 18-day-long stay in India, Gabbard said she enjoyed the trip and found it “very productive on many fronts”.

While touring seven cities across India, this devotee of Lord Krishna said her visit to Vrindavan, Krishna’s birthplace, was more like spiritual rejuvenation.

Goa was one state that attracted her for its immense potential in a tourism-centric economy just like her own home state of Hawaii.

She is working with state officials to “establish a sister-state partnership between Hawaii and Goa” in an attempt to “create a unique bridge between our countries by creating this partnership between the two states that have much in common.”

“I have always had a fancy for India as the birthplace of Lord Krishna. And I have also spent a lot of time with Indian Americans back home who come from many different parts of India. When I came to India, it felt like I had already been there. There is a lot more to see and I look forward to visiting again in the near future,” Gabbard said.