Mick Canning

Flying out to Delhi this year, I sat next to Tauseef, a Pakistani student from Loughborough, working for a year at a British company. We talked of religions, politics, history; compared Islam and Buddhism, compared the sanctions on Iraq after the 1990 Gulf War with those imposed on Germany after World War One; pondered the future of Pakistan and India, through democracy, technology and religion. Also we discussed the differences education, speaking English and skin colour make in India and Pakistan (and, indeed, all over the world!), how it is not possible to impose so-called democracy on a country where there is poverty and no attempts to alleviate the poverty, how there are corrupt democracies (e.g. India and Pakistan) that still somehow are an improvement on the alternatives.

The role of the UN.

The Gujarat Riots of 2002.

Ethnic conflicts all over the world.

Kashmir.

And just about everything else. Including, of course, the cricket!

It is good when people from different backgrounds and different beliefs can talk freely and honestly. It has to be a positive thing.

A World Heritage site, the Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhgaya (Photo N13). The temple was built at the site where the Buddha supposedly achieved enlightenment, some 2500 years ago. The original temple was built by the Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd Century BC, and the current temple dates from the 11th century AD, restored in 1882 by the Burmese. Surrounded by the usual frenetic northern Indian crowds, and visited by many pilgrims and tourists, the temple and grounds has an unbelievably peaceful ambience.

The Bhodi Tree, Mahabhodi Temple, Bodhgaya, Bihar. A third generation descendant of the tree under which the Buddha is supposed to have achieved enlightenment. (Photo N2)

Thai Temple, Bodhgaya (Photo N21). As well as the Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhgaya also has temples built by virtually every country with a sizeable Buddhist population. As befits the place where the Buddha originally achieved enlightenment, it is an active Buddhist centre with many charitable projects set up and running (and, unfortunately, not a few scams set up and running too!).

Dawn over Sujata Village, Bodhgaya, Bihar. (Photo N3) This was often the view that greeted me when I walked across to the village of Sujata, just across the River Phalgu from Bodhgaya, in the cool of the morning. Bliss!

Hindu temple panorama, Sujata, Bodhgaya, Bihar. (Photo N4)

Fields in Sujata Village, Bodhgaya (photo N10). In the vast majority of Indian villages, fields are still worked by hand or with animal labour. Here is no exception.

Farms at the edge of Bodhgaya (photo N11). Although Bihar is the most corrupt, poverty-ridden state in India, sitting bottom of the table in almost any set of statistics that you may care to mention, the land appears lush and fertile, supporting a strong agriculture.

And whilst we're on a rural theme... seen on a street corner in Bodhgaya (Photo N14). I don't need any reason to include this photo beyond the fact that I like it!

Monks heading for morning Puja, Sujata, Bodhgaya, Bihar. (Photo N5)

Temple door, Bodhgaya, Bihar. (Photo N6)

Dawn in Bodhgaya (photo N9). The moslems are heading for the mosque, whilst others are heading for work, for puja at Buddhist or Hindu temple, or to find breakfast. I was after breakfast.

The river Ganges from Dasaswamedh Ghat, Varanasi. (Photo N23).

Stalls on the ghats at Varanasi (Photo N24). Varanasi never seems less than vibrant and colourful.

And another stall near the ghats (photo N25).

Down at the ghats I was trailed by this cheerful young rogue (photo N26) demanding money to have his photo taken or to show me the sights or sell me souvenirs or lead me to stalls where I could purchase to my heart's content or...whatever.

Street scene in Varanasi (photo N27). The church in the middle distance is Saint Thomas'. This was taken quite early in the morning when I was on my way to the ghats. Early afternoon as I was returning, it was packed solid, traffic completely unable to move.

10km outside Varanasi lie the ruins of Sarnath (Photo N28). After the Buddha had achieved enlightenment at Bodhgaya, he came to Sarnarth - a walk of some 250kms or so, through what would have been dangerous country then - to seek out his former companions and in the Deer Park there he gave his first sermon, on the turning of the wheel of law. This comprises the Buddha's path to Enlightenment: the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold path and the Middle Way. In the 3rd century BC, the emperor Ashoka, a convert to Buddhism after witnessing the terrible carnage of a war he had unleashed, built stupas and monasteries here as well as an engraved pillar. These survived until the end of the 12th century when they were destroyed during the Muslim invasions and not rediscovered until 1834 by a British archaeological team.

This altar stone in the ruins of Sarnath (photo N29) is still being used by pilgrims for pujas.

Dhamekh Stupa at Sarnath (photo N30). This solid cylindrical tower, 33m in height, supposedly marks the place where the Buddha gave his first sermon. The base is stone, covered in delicate carvings, and the upper part brick.

Carvings adorning the base of the Dhamekh Stupa (photo N31).

Horse and cart in Patna, Bihar (Photo N12). Traditional forms of transport are still very common in India, especially in poorer areas such as this.

Entrance to the Taj Mahal site (Photo N15). The visitor's first view of the Taj Mahal is framed by the gateway at the centre, and is truly a breath-taking moment. This is one building that really does live up to the hype surrounding it.

The Taj Mahal, Agra. One of the most often-photographed images in the world. And still one of the most beautiful. (Photo N7) This was late afternoon, and the white marble perfectly reflects the rose-coloured light.

One of the gateways within the Taj complex (Photo N17). As well as the familiar decorated marble of the Taj Mahal itself, the other buildings are built from a beautiful red sandstone.

Red Fort, Agra (Photo N16). As well as the Taj Mahal, Agra also boasts another Red Fort (not an uncommon name in India!).

Carved stone screen window, Fatehpur Sikri. For 14 years this city, created for Emperor Akbar, was the capital of India, until it was abandoned in 1585 due to poor water supplies. (Photo N8)

A palace corridor in Fatephur Sikri (Photo N19). More beautiful, delicate, stone carvings.

A courtyard in Fatephur Sikri (Photo N20).