The Cellular Jail in the Andamans
The Andaman Island’s Cellular Jail, the jailer settlement of the British on Ross Island, and the son et lumière at both places.
Shashikiran Mullur
Lord Shiva is an Emotional Fellow
Lord Shiva cursed Kamadhenu: “You will never again receive worship at your face. Henceforth, all worship to you shall be at your tail.”
Muddling Around at the Sira Fort
This huge fort — its ramparts still standing — was built in the time of the Vijayanagara empire, passing down to a succession of other dynasties: the Bijapur sultans, the Mughals, Haidar Ali and Tipu Sultan, the Marathas, and, finally, the Raj.
Remembering William Baillie, Defeated By Tipu Sultan
Baillie is reported to have said to Haidar Ali: “Your son will inform you that you owe the victory to our disaster rather than to our defeat."
A Short Trip to Auroville, and the Aurobindo Ashram
A weighty hush kept everybody in silence. My wife pinched my arm to show me things.
The Devanahalli Fort in Bangalore
Built of mud by the Gowda rulers, Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan fortified it with stone. Afterward, the fort fell to the British under Cornwallis.
The Writing Craft, the Formidable Iain Sinclair, Allen, Sedaris
A creation that none but the creator may comprehend has been performed only once ever, by the Creator of creators, and who may dare to rise to His bar?
The Hasanamba Temple in Hassan
A stricken Kafur rushed to the poojaris of the devis but they couldn't help him, the affront to the devis being so terrible. But Hasanamba, who is goddess to all men and forgives every penitent, appeared to Kafur in a dream and suggested he build a temple to her as penitence.
The Ugly Indians
In the end, in that little spot in Bangalore, the stench, the hideous wet and dry garbage, and that sense of shame that's our lot in India — all evaporated.
A Weekend In Old San Juan
An acceptance by each of their lot, and an easy adjustment to life, all go to make Puerto Ricans, some surveys say, among happiest people on the planet.