Book Launch: Ambles Across Godland by Lokesh Ohri
Ambles Across Godland, a Book by Lokesh Ohri Launched in New Delhi
Exploring the Sacred Landscapes of the Uttarakhand Himalaya
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.
Travel Writing Meets Mythology
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 Event
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.”
Mr. 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.
About the Author
Lokesh Ohri, author of Ambles Across Godland, heads the humanities-based Himalayan initiative Humanities for Himalayas. Through his research, writing, and public engagement, he has consistently encouraged a deeper sensitivity toward the mountains and their cultural landscapes. His work emphasises slow discovery – experiencing landscapes through attentive walking, listening and reflection – an approach that also shapes the spirit of this book.
About Book World
Bookworld Dehradun was established in 1980 and is currently led by the fourth generation of a family with over a century of roots in the book trade. Committed to nurturing literary voices from Uttarakhand, Bookworld actively publishes works about the state and by authors from the region.
Among its recent publications is Ambles Across Godland by Lokesh Ohri. Another title by the same author, Walking with Laata, has also been published by Book World. The publishing house’s catalogue further includes 10,000 Crores by Dr. Sanjeev Chopra; What of the Earth Was Left, an English translation of the celebrated poet Leeladhar Jagudi’s work by Dr. Matt Reeck; and Doon Valley Down the Ages by Prem Hari Har Lal.
