The Chattri, Brighton (please see note below)

In 2005 we moved to Brighton for a while, and rented a small house in the Seven Dials area of the city.   This house had a loft conversion with a north facing attic window, from which I used to enjoy watching the clouds over the Downs.   My eye kept being drawn by a small white dot in the distant hills to the north east.   Eventually curiosity drove me to get my binoculars and have a proper look.    I could now make out a remarkable sight, a small white monument set in a simple grass quadrangle, all in the middle of nowhere.   Incredibly beautiful and mysterious.    Some research on the internet revealed that this was the Chattri memorial buillt soon after World War 1.

The Inscription on the Chattri reads:

"To the memory of all the Indian soldiers who gave their lives in the service of their King-Emperor this monument, erected on the site where Hindus and Sikhs who died in hospital at Brighton passed through the fire, is in grateful admiration and brotherly affection dedicated"

Even visiting the Chattri in daytime felt adventurous.   There is no road to the site, you must walk across the fields from the city, and even then you have to walk around a small wood.   The location felt lonely, and I seriously wondered if I would have the courage to visit at night.

I'm very glad I that I did.   The Chattri and its gardens are probably the most beautiful night place I have ever visited.      Very surreal and calm, like another world.   Although the journey under the full moon was eerie, once at the Chattri I felt very safe and welcome.