Armenian pilgrimage to India: The pilgrims and their stories
by Paul Chaderjian The Armenian Reporter Agra - A diverse group of Armenians have gathered for a group picture in front of one of the most beautiful structures in the world - the Taj Mahal. They are trekking through some of the most remote areas of what were part of some of the greatest empires and kingdoms of days past. Among the travelers is Armen Aroyan, 65, an electronic engineer from Southern California, who has led more than 60 tours to Historic Armenia since 1991. "I've always heard about the past glory of the Indian-Armenian community," he says. "I have heard that the first Armenian periodical came out in Madras by someone named Shmavonyan. It was called Aztarar and was published about 200 years ago." Mr. Aroyan says that he is fascinating with the idea that the local Armenian community was so strong and with an advanced Armenian culture that the community could produce a periodical. "I was always fascinated by the churches they had her...