Standing amid the riot of flowers in the Forest of Steles, one may get a sense of the idea of harmony Confucius talked about. [Photo/China Daily]

At the Confucius Temple complex in Qufu, Chitralekha Basu found herself surrounded by more than just historical charm.

We are in Confucius (551-479 BC) country, walking around the Confucius Temple complex dedicated to the man, whose influence over Chinese thought and lifestyle practices has been sustained over the last 2,500 years.