In the Footsteps of Rama : Travels with the Ramayana

Reading and traveling are two of my many hobbies, but reading a travelogue was never my cup of tea. So, when someone recommended this book, I was skeptical. I started the book expecting only to get through first few pages, at best.However, I finished the book in two days!This book is called,” In the footsteps of Rama “ and it is no ordinary travelogue. It is coauthored by the Neelesh Kulkarni and Vikrant Pande and published by Harper Collins.The authors travelled to different places in India and in Srilanka where Sri Ramachandra had travelled during his Vanvasa.The book starts with the authors travelling to Ayodhaya and to different places thereafter like Chitrakoot, Nasik and Srilanka. They explore the places of significance, visit different temples, meet various people, and try to extract different stories and theories about Ram and his Vanvasa.Let me share with you the reasons why I recommend this book1. The book is full of local tales and fables which are entwined with the Ramayana that we all know. So, when one reads different stories and get new perspective and insights, it really makes the reading very interesting and adds a new dimension to the story that we have always known.2. The language is lucid and free flowing. The descriptions are so vivid that you feel that you are travelling with the authors. Also, streaks of humor in the narrative puts a smile on your face often.3. The writing style is uniform, which I find very interesting because, not one but two authors have written this book. I was expecting to see two different styles and that would have made reading a bit tiresome for the readers. However, the authors have managed to a keep uniform style throughout the book and I must compliment them for this.4. Reading this book, I felt very proud to belong to this country where we have such rich heritage. It made me proud of my Hindu roots too.5. I never really gave much thought to the two epics. Never pondered, whether they really happened many years ago or not. However after reading this book, it strengthened my belief that the epics are not a figment of someone’s imagination but they did really happen and perhaps a large extent of it is true.6. It is an excellent read for everyone who loves to read or loves to travel. Also, for people interested in mythology, this book is a gem!7.The hardbound beautifully designed cover makes it a collector’s item.However, one thing I found missing in the book was the pictures. It would really have added value to the book if there were pictures of the interesting place that the authors visited. I would have loved to see places so beautifully described in the book.I hope the authors do a similar book on Mahabharat. It will bring the masses closer to our epics and the rich heritage!In the end I would strongly recommend everyone to read this book. It is available on all online bookstores.

Most of us have read Ramayana or watched the serial on TV or grew up watching Ramlila (Stage play) year after year - and always found the epic amazingly enthralling. Since, the story line was familiar, it was fascinating to read the book as the authors travel from Ayodhya to Sri Lanka in their quest of connecting the original Ramayna incidents with the present day objects and places.What an amazing book with such a superb travelogue, folk tales and stories sprinkled with spicy anecdotes and a liberal dash of humour which only master story tellers like Neelesh Kulkarni and Vikrant Pande can do! The book is written in a simple, yet very engaging style and flows smoothly.Never ever such an attempt has been made to embark on a trail to demystify the epic. The authors take us through an exciting journey from Ayodhya to Sri Lanka to realize their mission of identifying various places, landmarks, temples, rivers, forests, characters as described in Ramayna and amplifying their relevance, connection and importance thru various stories and anecdotes. The book is full of such interesting tales, and some of them differ in their versions depending on whom do you meet and what place do you visit – but the essence remains the same!The book swings back and forth, from the epic era dialogues to authors’ narratives, but the authors seamlessly stitch each piece together to keep the story line firmly on track. And one is constantly hooked on to the book with a curious sense of anticipation as to what is coming next!Sometimes, one really wonders whether the incidents described in Ramayna actually happened or such places actually existed or such sophisticated missiles, jets, technologies were indeed available? How did Rama undertake his journey and navigate without a GPS ? How people from different regions and languages communicated with each other when they met ? But, who knows our past may have been more advanced than today!!!Found the book absolutely fascinating as it is full of revelations, interesting facts and some deviations from the traditional understanding e.g. was there an actual Lakshman Rekha, did Hanuman bring the entire mountain once or twice to get the life saving herbs, how did Vali derive his power to defeat the enemies, did Shabari actually taste the berries before offering to lord Rama… and it continues. Some new versions emerged, many facts verified and few myths exploded!The authors have researched their topics well, met so many knowledgeable people & priests and asked the right questions to clarify the doubts and connect the original story with the relevant current objects. It was interesting to know that Ramayana written by Valmiki, Tulasidasa, Kadamb, Adhyatma and others have some different versions of the same story - but, the essence remains the same. Since so many places described in Ramayna actually existed, and amply demonstrated by various stories narrated by the locals, only strengthens our faiths in our epics and makes us proud of our heritage.The authors did an outstanding work in describing various experiences in intricate details. They traversed thru under ground caves, isolated places, full flowing rivers, thick forest and even encountering wild animals taking huge personal risks. It must have really required tremendous passion, drive, energy and adventurous spirit to undertake such an arduous journey to accomplish the mission.For the authors, the journey must have been a test of patience and perseverance, frustration and accomplishment, anxiety and eureka moments - but it was the quest to find the truth that must have inspired and energized them to continue with this daunting task. Have never read such a gripping account of Ramayna - experienced and witnessed by the authors.An amazingly fascinating book! Must read for everyone!

Rama has become a rather controversial figure these days. But amidst all the political interpretations of Ramayana and the chief protagonist and antagonist, new readers are missing the charm of the story— especially as it encompasses a large portion of the sub-continent with all its glory.This book rectifies the situation to a great extent.The witty and yet erudite prose is just what a doctor might order for a new reader.Its lucid yet canonical descriptions, punctuating the mythical with the present, provide exactly what a new reader seeking to discover India through her epics would love.The book is very well-printed and yet rather lightweight— making it a perfect travel companion as well.Recommended.