Ambles Across Godland, a new book by author and researcher Lokesh Ohri, was recently launched in New Delhi. Published by Book World and supported by the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board, the book explores the sacred landscapes of the Uttarakhand Himalaya and invites readers to discover the deeper cultural and spiritual meanings embedded within the region.
Blending travel writing with mythology, history and cultural reflection, Ambles Across Godland attempts to answer a simple yet profound question: what makes a landscape sacred? Through journeys across rivers, temples, forests and mountain villages in Uttarakhand, the book brings together stories, traditions and lived experiences that have shaped the spiritual geography of the Himalaya for centuries.
The launch evening featured a conversation with the author, followed by a panel discussion on “Heritage through Slow Travel” with distinguished speakers including Aman Nath, Sohail Hashmi and Sejal Worah, moderated by Soity Banerjee. The programme concluded with a traditional musical performance by Chandrabadni Himalayii Naad, reflecting the cultural spirit of the Himalayan region celebrated in the book.
Speaking about the book, author Lokesh Ohri said,” Aimed particularly at travellers to Uttarakhand, the book encourages readers to go beyond tourism. In its pages, a tourist gradually becomes a traveller and the traveller, in turn, becomes a seeker – engaging more thoughtfully with the land, its people, and its cultural memory.”
Randhir Kumar Arora, Partner, Book World, Dehradun, added, “Ambles Across Godland is a thoughtful exploration of the sacred geography of the Himalaya. Through Lokesh Ohri’s journeys and reflections, the book encourages readers to look beyond tourism and experience the deeper cultural and spiritual connections that define the mountains.”
More than a travel narrative, Ambles Across Godland offers readers a journey into the cultural memory of the Himalaya, reminding us that landscapes are not just places we visit, but living spaces shaped by centuries of stories, traditions and belief.
