On The Shelf

KAILASH MANSAROVAR: A SACRED JOURNEY
By Veena Sharma
Roli Books
Price: Rs 295
Kailash and Mansarovar have an amazing pull over all kinds of adventurers. Most prominent, over the ages, have been those seeking spiritual fulfilment, in this most sacred enterprise for Hindus and Buddhists. Mt Kailash is associated with Shiva; and conquering terrain to make it that far is considered a means of achieving moksha, liberation from the cycle of death and birth. Mountains of old clothes shed after the parikrama of Mansarovar, for their part, are said to indicate the pilgrims8217; new perspective. For mountaineers, of course, the trek has its own lure, and every summer thousands of Indians apply for permission to make the journey under an enduring agreement between India and China.

Veena Sharma, who once headed the Swahili service of All India Radio8217;s External Services Division, presents her book as part travelogue, part spiritual quest, part mythological investigation. She addresses the question: 8220;Is the physical journey the necessary path to spiritual evolution?8221; By all accounts, it is.

FOR TIBET WITH LOVE: A BEGINNER8217;S GUIDE TO CHANGING THE WORLD
Isabel Losada
Bloomsbury
Price: 7.99 pounds
No such weighty interrogations of classical texts for Isabel Losada as she takes the witty route to salvation. She wears her conscience on her sleeve, but, watch out, that sleeve had better be fashionable. As she readies herself for an anti-occupation demonstration, she wonders: 8220;what do you wear to demonstrate?8221; But the road to Lhasa is strewn with more than fashion imponderables. Political questions, spiritual shortcuts and backpack tourism combine for a racy read.

Alas, explorations of happiness can be such self-righteous affairs. So while the pop wisdom can be a bit irritating, the trek to the roof of the world is never less than engrossing. As for changing the world, let8217;s just hold back judgement.