Tag: India

  • Book Review of The Kosambi Intrigue

    the kosambi intrigue by Susan Carol StoneMy rating: 3 of 5 stars The Kosambi Intrigue is a rare historical fiction set during the lifetime of the Blessed One Gotama Buddha about 2500 years ago in India. The novel is set during the early period of the Blessed One’s 55 year teaching career and uses the…

  • Delhi, Chennai, museums, book shops

    On 26 December, 2009, I rode a Bihar Tourism Development Corporation bus from Bodhgaya to Patna. It took about 6 hours to cover 110 km along very narrow bumpy roads through many crowded smoky dusty towns. We stopped frequently and once we stopped for 30 minutes.  In retrospect, I recommend doing this journey by train.…

  • Gaya, second time

    On Thursday, 24 December 2009, I accepted an invitation from Mr Jagbinder for a day-trip to Gaya to fly a kite from the roof of his home. He came to Bodhgaya around 9:30AM to pick me up on a motorcycle.  I sat pillion passenger without a helmet or glasses. It was still cool at that…

  • Gurpa – Kukkutagiri – Peacock’s Foot Mountain

    Tuesday, 22 December 2009, I hired Mr Jagbinder Singh and his car to go to the Gurpa mountains where Mahaakassapa is reported to have attained Parinibbana. According to Mahayana tradition, Mahaakassapa did not die but remains alive in a deep meditation state inside the mountain, waiting for the enlightenment of the next Sammaasambuddha – Metteyya…

  • Nalanda, Jethian, Bodhgaya

    On Sunday, I phoned Mr Jagbinder Singh from Gaya who had earlier driven me to Rajgir and back to Bodhgaya to see how much he would charge for driving from Gaya to Rajgir pick me up take me to Nalanda and Jethian and then to Bodhgaya (the other side of Gaya coming from Rajgir). He…

  • Rajgir: Isigili, Sonbhandar Caves

    On Friday, 18 December 2009, as I was walking along Fraser Road, Patna from the Internet cafe back to Hotel President after my last posting, I stopped by a small shop to buy razors, batteries and biscuits. While in the shop a 31 year old Indian man asked me about my background and what I…

  • Ananda Stupa – Ramchaura Mandir

    On Friday, 18 December 2009, I ate breakfast and then headed to Patna Junction train station to possibly buy some train tickets for future journeys. I got some help from an official at the Bihar Tourist office located in the train station to hire an auto rickshaw to visit a stupa reputed to be one…

  • Vaishali and Kesariya

    I went to Vaishali and Kesariya by taxi yesterday (Thursday, 17 December 2009). It was a long day with some minor hassle at the end when the driver tried to cheat me by claiming I’d given a 500 rupee note when in fact I gave a 1000 rupee note. He didn’t get away with it…

  • Shravasti (Saavati) and Patna Museum

    8:30 AM, Monday morning (14 December 2009) my new driver (Mr Abbas Ahmad) with a classic white Hindustani Motors Ambassador car picked me up at the Shivoy Hotel. We drove north for a while and then generally westwards stopping for a cup of chai and other necessaries before reaching Shravasti around 1:30 PM. ABOVE:  Mr…

  • Lumbini

    At 6:30 am Sunday morning (13 Dec), Mr Paras Maurya my driver picked me up from the Shivoy Hotel and we drove northwards towards Nepal. I found out along the way that this was Mr Paras’ first trip to Lumbini. The roads and towns along the way were similar to other roads and towns and…