101 Pilgrimages
ISBN 81-89449-03-6, Rs 395

101 Pilgrimages embarks upon yatras: journeys that are increasingly relevant in the manic and stressful world of materialistic pursuits, journeys that we undertake with our children and elders and, sometimes, within ourselves. In as much as this book is a journey into an India that is greatly visited but little seen, it is also a revealing introduction into the histories, cultures and traditions that weave the fabric of our secular nation. As we retrace the determined steps of ancient Indians, often from times that remain beyond documented evidence, we also find great spiritual fulfillment in shrines that are visited by people of all faiths. And after every heartfelt prayer, although we return home from where gods live, there is a part of us that never leaves.

Index of contents
This title offers detailed coverage of the destinations that follow. The ‘arounds’ from these primary chapters, as mentioned under some of them, have been covered briefly therein. The destinations highlighted in blue may also be read online on this site.

‘Specials’:
This section looks at interesting topics that are related to the main theme of the book. The contributors are often distinguished writers. Read the topics highlighted in blue as an excerpt:

The Vedas
The Vedas alone have such a breadth of vision as to say that the same truth can be realised in many ways.
Excerpted with permission from The Vedas, based on discourses by Jagadguru Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati, first published in 1988 by Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Sudakshina Trust

The Upanishads
The Upanishads are the summit of the Vedas…they translate philosophical thought to actual experience.
Excerpted with permission from The Vedas, based on discourses by Jagadguru Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati, first published in 1988 by Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Sudakshina Trust

The Gayatri Mantra
Ramiah Kumar explore the primordial meaning of this supreme mantra.

The meaning of Om
How did Om evolve? Om did not evolve from anything: everything evolved from Om! By Ramiah Kumar

The Puranas
Can it be that our past was more than what we think? Was it superior to the present? Asks Ramesh Menon

The Ramayana
The Ramayana’s true worth lies in its moral and ethical moorings…and in the visionary nature of its composition, says Lakshmi Lal
The Mahabharata The Mahabharata is a gripping tale within tale of love, war and intrigue, success and failure, joy and sorrow,
beauty and ugliness, says Lakshmi Lal
The Bhagvad Gita Step by tricky step Krishna inspires Arjuna to higher levels of awareness. By Lakshmi Lal
Music: A spiritual journey
When we accept music as God, what this means is all aspects of music are a play of the soul, says Ustad
Amjad Ali Khan

Dance: A pilgrimage
For those who seek truth and beauty in it, dance naturally becomes a spiritual quest, says Alarmel Valli

Bhakti Poetry
All you need is a handful of flowers and a heart filled with devotion to attain joyous communion with God. By Subhadra Sengupta
Yoga: the divine path
A tremendous maturity of intelligence and emotional stability accompanied by intense sadhana is required for yoga says Guru B.K.S. Iyengar

Healing powers of faith
Everywhere, faith in God, and in the white-coated doctors who treat them, helps pull patients out of the most terrible suffering, says Kavery Nambisan
Shanti: A prayer As oil in sesame seeds, butter in cream…so is God hidden in my own soul…’ Isha Upanishad 1:15. By Renuka Narayanan

Back of the Book
Information & Booking
7 pages of contacts and booking information of all Tourism offices and their branches in India. Comprehensive coverage of individual Tourism website, snail mail and email ids is provided in this section.
Accommodation Listings
70 page indexed directory of hotels mentioned under ‘Where to Stay’ in the destinations plus more options listed. This section briefly provides key information for each hotel (location, address, telephone number, e-mail ID, website, tariff, credit cards accepted, number of rooms, other facilities such as room service, TV, Internet, restaurant, doctor-on-call, laundry etc.).

Index
18 pages of key words appearing in the text indexed alphabetically
Route and tourist guides
Each region opens with a route guide showing:

• recommended route with approximate distances
• national highways, state and district roads
• symbols for facilities in towns/ cities and highways, such as petrol pumps, garages and tourist attractions.

*The route guides are intended for general reference only; you will need a road atlas or a detailed route map to find your way around
101 Pilgrimages features the following Route Guides. Click the Route Guides highlighted to view excerpts:
In this book:
Kailash-Manasarovar MEA Trek
Nepal-Manasarovar
J&K-Punjab-Haryana
Uttaranchal
Himachal
Uttar Pradesh-Madhya Pradesh
Delhi-Rajasthan
Gujarat
Maharashtra
North-East
East India
Goa-Karnataka-Andhra
Kerala-Tamil Nadu; Cauvery Delta