In this section, I am providing general information - combination of a glossary, listing of great personalities, locations & geographical landmarks, history - in general any subject related to India.  I have gathered the information from various sources - books, magazines, internet, word of mouth.
 
 General information about India - M
 
Maha Bharatham   
Maha rishi Veda Vyaasar saw the entire Mahaa Bharatham through his inner vision.  He wanted to preserve it for the welfare of the future generations.  Lord Brahma advised him to ask Lord Ganesha to write it down as he composed the verses.  Lord Ganesha is said to have used his tusk to write the Maha Bharatham on the Himalayas. 

It comprises of 18 parvas (parvam) - Adi parvam, Sabha parvam, Vana parvam, Virata parvam, Udyoga parvam, Bhishma parvam, Drona parvam, Karna parvam, Shalya parvam, Sauptika parvam, Stri parvam, Shanti parvam, Anushasana parvam, Asvamedhika parvam, Ashramavasika parvam, Mausala parvam,  Mahaprasthanika parvam, Swargarohana parvam. 
Harivamsa parvam dealing with the life of Lord Krishna is not covered in the 18 parvams of Mahabharatham. 

These 18 parvams contain 98 sub parvams of 2,382 chapters.  There are a total of 96,635 slokas that are available now.  Vyasar is said to have composed 60 lakh shlokams. 
     Read the story - Vinayagar wrote the Bharatham
 
Monasteries  (gompas /gumphas)    
Structures which serve as retirement dwelling place for monks, a place for self-reflection and self-exploration. 
 
For a Buddhist tourist visiting India, monasteries or gompas are the prime attraction. A number of Buddhist monasteries or gompas spread across the length and breadth of India and speak volume about the Buddhist heritage of the country. 

Many of these monasteries were built centuries back and have withstood the test of time. Still many others were destroyed or damaged in past and had to undergo tremendous reconstruction work. The architecture, murals, statues of Buddha and bodhisattvas inside make for an interesting visit. Moreover, many of these monasteries are located at stunning sites - clinging at the the top of hill, near streams, amidst greenery or barren landscape - which enhance their attractiveness multifold. The presence of monks inside gives a splendid opportunity to interact and accrue a whole lot of new knowledge about Buddhism in general and the monastery in particular. 
     From http://www.buddhist-tourism.com/countries/india/monasteries/
Buddhist Monasteries in Bihar - Japanese Monastery, Thai Monastery, Tibetan Monastery, The Chinese Temple and Monastery and the Buddhist Temple of Bhutan. - http://www.buddhist-tourism.com/countries/india/monasteries/bihar/ 

Monasteries in Jammu & Kashmir - Hemis Monastery, Alchi Monastery, Thiksey Monastery, Cave Monastery, Stakna Monastery, Takthok Monastery, Matho Monastery, Spituk Monastery, Phyang monastery, Likir Monastery, Rizong Monastery, Lamayuru monastery, Bardan Monastery, Karsha Monastery, Phuktal Monastery, Rangdum Monastery, Sani Monastery, Tonde Monastery, Zangla Monastery, Chemrey Gompa, Diskit & Hundur Monastery, Shey Monastery, Stongdey Monastery - http://www.buddhist-tourism.com/countries/india/monasteries/jammukashmir/ 

Buddhist Monasteries in Sikkim - Rumtek Monastery, Pemayangtse Monastery, Phensang Monastery, Phodang Monastery, Ralang Monastery, Enchey Monastery, Tashiding Monastery, Yoksum Monastery. 

Buddhist Monasteries in Himachal Pradesh - Tabo Monastery, Kye Monastery, Namgyal Monastery, Rewalsar Monastery, Dhankar Monastery, Guru Ghantal Monastery, Shashur Monastery, Kardang Monastery, Tayul Monastery, Thang Yug Monastery, Kungri Monastery, Nako Monastery, Tashiganj Monastery, Lippa Monastery - http://www.buddhist-tourism.com/countries/india/monasteries/himachalpradesh/ 

Buddhist Monasteries in Arunachal Pradesh - Tawang Monastery, Bomdila Monastery,d Urgelling Monastery - http://www.buddhist-tourism.com/countries/india/monasteries/arunachalpradesh/  

(info added on 23 Jan 2011)
 
Mosque / Masjid    
A mosque or Masjid (a place of prostration) is a Muslim place of worship, where they offer their daily five prayers as well as the Friday congregation.
Mosques around the world - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mosques
(info added on 4 Jul 2011)
 

 
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