Hello Jim,
Well, it seems as valid as nearly everything else that happens at the solstice. Glad you had a nice time.
Can I ask what prompted the Bhuddists to choose this time and venue?

Hi there Wiggy

The walk was part of a ten day Buddhist walk called a Yatra which started at Reading and followed the Thames path, the Ridgeway to Avebury, then onto Stonehenge. The solstice acted as a culmination point for the walk. The actual walking was in single file and in silence although obviously we talked during the breaks and in the mornings / evenings etc. The walking party consisted of a group of about 24 people, although the numbers did change a little with people joining etc. I joined at Avebury because I've got young children and only did the last few days to Stonehenge.

The Stonehenge summer solstice celebrations / open access are now becoming more established and this particular walk which took place last year as well, is part of the growing interest in being at the momument at this special time when you can get access right up to the stones. A lot of people on the walk were from different parts of the UK & Ireland and further afield. I travelled down from East Anglia.

I had been to the celebrations in 2003 with my family, but I was struck by the lack of information about the solstice itself. The list of 'Rules and Regulations' from English Heritage seemed to add little to the event. I wanted to return again and actually have some active involvement in being at the solstice.

The Buddhist walk, which was undertaken by many non-Buddhists gave me a chance to meditate as part of a group during the solstice and the other things we planned between us. Not everyone did everthing, but touching the stones esp. the Heel Stone I found very powerful. We where not alone in doing this and I have been surprised by how little has ever been written about this aspect of the night / dawn for example. The solstice is an open event and does attract a lot a people from a variety of backgrounds.

In many ways the solstice at Stonehenge will have to develop organically over the next few years, but for myself undertaking the simple acts of walking to the stones in the first place, touching the stones esp. the Altar & Heel Stones, sun-wise circumambulation, meditation and dance (I unfortunatly missed the dancing) as well as watching the dawn all added to my experience.

Jim Rayner