Day 29: Last full day of this trip

Yesterday, I visited the Archeological Museum here at Bodhgaya. It was good to see the ancient artifacts and to read about the fascinating 2000 year history of the site. 

We were so lucky that the British restored the site in 1870 onwards. It was a ruin for hundreds of years before that.

We have the Viceroy of the time - Lord Mayo to thank for that, as he initiated the Survey of India, which led to the restoration of India's thousands of ruined religious sites. This was good news for Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and Jains. Unfortunately, he was assassinated while inspecting the Andaman Islands, which shocked and outraged Queen Victoria.  

Lord Mayo

Archeological Museum at Bodhgaya

Last night I did not go to the temple for puja. I was still recovering from the dehydration and also the temple was stuffed with many thousands of Tibetan monks, nuns and laypeople. There would not be much room on this occasion, even though the temple and its surroundings has the capacity of somewhere like an English Premiership Rugby Union stadium like Gloucester.

Kingsholm Stadium - the home of Gloucester Rugby Union Football Club

Though the nights are staying cool, the weather is getting hotter. The BBC weather app says 27C but it feels hotter than that. It will be a shock to get back to the UK in winter.

Tonight, we have a cultural programme to go to: a concert by two Indian national treasures: a tabla player and flute player. I think I will really enjoy this.

Before the concert, AB and I watched the sun setting. Our month is almost over.