What is a stupa, and how did the form develop over time? How did Buddhism evolve across regions and cultures? These were the questions Ms Bell Bencharongkul carried with her when she joined The Siam Society’s Study Trip to Maharashtra, India. Chronicling this weeklong journey — led by Mrs Eileen Deeley, Council Member and Chairperson of the Music and Special Events of The Siam Society in December 2024 — to the great rock-cut caves of Bhaja, Karla, Elephanta, Ajanta, Ellora and Aurangabad, this photographic recollection presents these monolithic sites in their contexts-in-time: from the people encountered to the in-between moments of waiting and noticing, of shifting lights, of being in transit, that quietly shape and fill any journey. 

Tracing the evolution of architectural and multireligious devotional practices in western India across nearly two millennia, the caves visited during the trip are seen through a personal lens that brings warmth to the narrative—reflecting the spirit of the Study Trips as a long-standing educational initiative of The Siam Society.

Through this exhibition, in co-curation with Ms Natjaree Chirathivat, we open up a space for reflections on all the ways travelling can both inform and inspire, transform academic knowledge on paper into lived experiences, and how shared memories and interests shape how a place is remembered. 

Opening Reception

Drop by for an afternoon of conversations, tea, sweet Indian treats and curated book sales on Saturday, 21 March 2026 at 14:00 to recall the memories with the trip members and Prof. Chedha Tingsanchali, lecturer in the department of Art History, Faculty of Archaeology, Silpakorn University, with expertise in Indian and Southeast Asian art and history. 

Selected photographs will be available for purchase, with proceeds and donations supporting the renovations of the Kamthieng House Museum. Follow the link to learn more about the renovation project: https://thesiamsociety.org/facilities/kamthieng-house-museum-saeng-aroon-house/

*This event will be conducted predominantly in English and will be reserved for only 40 participants.