Sacred River: A Himalayan Journey - Softcover

Majumdar, Dr. Debu

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0996851631 ISBN 13: 9780996851633

Publisher: Bo-Tree House, 2016

Synopsis

At its core Sacred River takes you on a journey to India's ancient wisdom. It describes man's search for meaning disguised as a mystery novel. It can be read differently by different readers. For some it is a mystery, a gold heist; for some it is a travelogue, a hike through the Himalayas; for some, it is a collection of Indian folk and mythological stories; but for most it is simply an enjoyable read.

It weaves three stories that initially flow independently but come together at a Hindu temple in Gangotri on the banks of the Ganges River in the Himalayas.

The first story describes the life struggles of an illiterate farmer, his devotion to spirituality, his longings for a pilgrimage, and finally his travels to the Gangotri temple. In the second story, the CFO of an Indian charity with the goal of uplifting the people of India hatches a plan to steal gold from the Gangotri temple, which he believes has hidden it for centuries. The third story is about a successful Indian-American, who faces a mid-life crisis and journeys to the source of the sacred Ganges River, searching for peace and renewal. Several Americans join him: his wife, a Navajo boy, a young Mormon woman, and a somewhat flaky, but resourceful, American man who falls in love with their beautiful Indian guide. While events unfold as monks, pilgrims, thieves, and tourists confront their own demons in the Hindu temple, he decides to investigate and dares to go after unknown thieves.

On the surface, the action centers on the treasure heist, but underneath, this is a story of a quest for peace in life nurtured by Indian mythological and folk tales, unconditional spiritual devotion, and intercultural romance. They weave a colorful tapestry of overlapping stories. As little tributaries flow together to make a mighty river, each thread in the tapestry is woven to make a beautiful picture with an uplifting conclusion. A Himalayan journey that will touch your soul.

Praise for Sacred River

... shares some of the complexities of Indian culture while also considering more universal themes of meaning and belonging. ... This sharply observed and richly imagined combination of travelogue, intrigue and philosophical contemplation results in a truly stimulating tale.
- Barbara Lloyd McMichael (Bellingham Herald and Kitsap Sun, part of the USA Today Network)

Sacred River graciously introduces us to the old songs and stories about gods and heroes who make sites sacred and pilgrimages fruitful. And as an Indian story of pilgrimage ought to do, Sacred River also teaches its readers that the best fruits of pilgrimage are reserved for those who do not seek them.
- David Curley, Professor Emeritus, Western Washington University.

A brilliant novel, which gives a wonderfully vivid flavour of India with all its idiosyncrasies and contradictions. It transports you there, from Delhi to the foothills of the Himalayas, and there is an intriguing glimpse into Hindu beliefs and gods with insightful snippets of scriptures and stories. The novel also involves an ancient manuscript, a mysterious number sequence, and a plot to steal temple treasures. Fascinating and thought provoking that will bowl you along, wanting to know more.
- Barbara Hall, Nibley Green, Gloucestershire, U.K.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

An Indian-American journeys to mystical Gangotri Glacier in the Himalayas, searching for peace and renewal. As he travels, a pilgrimage temple near the glacier becomes the target of a gold heist. Pilgrims, thieves, tourists, and events flow toward the temple independently with their individual stories. The life struggles of an illiterate farmer, lofty goals of a charitable organization, desire for fame, romance, and cultural nuance, along with Indian myths and legends, supply colorful threads to the story. Their paths cross and re-cross until the ultimate denouement. As little tributaries flow together to make the magnificent Ganges River, each thread is woven to make a beautiful tapestry with an uplifting conclusion. A Himalayan journey that will touch your soul.

Praise for Sacred River

Sacred River is a deceptively readable novel that begins with murder and ends with a temple treasure hunt. The real treasure, however, is the intervening story which unwraps India itself--its deep history, dramatic geography, captivating people and above all its spirituality, both Hindu and Buddhist. The writing is clear, swift and engaging, as if written for young readers, but readers of every age will enjoy and profit from it. Since at least Tagore, modern Indian writers have offered great gifts to the rest of the world. Sacred River is another one.  
- Jerry Brady, former newspaper publisher, Peace Corps staff member, and co-founder of Accion International, a global micro financing institution.

Sacred River graciously introduces us to the old songs and stories about gods and heroes who make sites sacred and pilgrimages fruitful. And as an Indian story of pilgrimage ought to do, Sacred River also teaches its readers that the best fruits of pilgrimage are reserved for those who do not seek them.
- David Curley, Professor Emeritus, Western Washington University.

A brilliant novel, which gives a wonderfully vivid flavour of India with all its idiosyncrasies and contradictions. It transports you there, from Delhi to the foothills of the Himalayas, and there is an intriguing glimpse into Hindu beliefs and gods with insightful snippets of scriptures and stories. The novel also involves an ancient manuscript, a mysterious number sequence, and a plot to steal temple treasures. Fascinating and thought provoking that will bowl you along, wanting to know more.
- Barbara Hall, Nibley Green, Gloucestershire, U.K.

About the Author:

Born in India, Debu Majumdarreceived a doctorate degree in physics from SUNY, Stony Brook in 1969. Hisfirst book, From the Ganges to the SnakeRiver, a creative non-fiction (published by Caxton Press in 2000),interweaves Indian culture with north-west American reality. His fourchildren's books (Viku and the Elephant,Viku to the Rescue, Viku and the Ivory Thieves, and Viku Goes to School published by Bo-Tree House, 2011 - 2015), are setin village India and explore universal themes such as friendship, perseverance,preservation, and surviving bullying. SacredRiver is his first novel, written from a background of India's ancientheritage. He and his wife live in Idaho Falls, ID and Bellingham, WA. Forfurther information, please go to Debubooks.com and authorcentral.amazon.com/gp/profile.

About this edition

• Publisher: Bo-Tree House
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 0996851631
• ISBN 13: 9780996851633
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 387