As someone who has grown up having heard many versions of our various stories that constitute our ‘mythology’, through grandmothers, books, plays and media, I have always wondered about where they would have originated from. If we are lucky, sometimes we may get an opportunity to explore some of these truths, and perhaps set the tone for another path.
Aradhana Johri, a retired IAS officer, has capitalized on such an opportunity of having spent considerable time in the hill state of Uttarakhand, first because her father was posted as DM, Nainital, and then when she took over the same office 30 years later. The time spent made her develop an irrevocable love affair with the places and helped her explore the stories, the myths, the history and reality of so many incidents that we have heard of, growing up.
This has led to her putting together a book, Beyond the Misty Veil (Temple Tales of Uttarakhand), which documents the innumerable temples that dot the state, rightly called Dev Bhoomi, and the stories that have led to their fame. It is indeed a monumental effort, because it not only covers the famous Char Dham, but also many smaller ones, connected to the larger epics, and also stories about the local deities, who are still ‘living’ in the traditions of the people. From the place where Shiva and Parvati got married, to the temple where even the priest goes blindfolded, to the temple of Duryodhana, all tales add to the mysticism, while doing something extremely crucial – documenting this much ancient and extraordinary heritage.
Ms Johri’s book has already been much lauded in academic circles, has been presented to the honourable Prime Minister and Chief Minister of UP, who has asked her to undertake other assignments. It was formally launched by the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand in November, who has expressed his gratitude to her in documenting this history. As readers will explore, every chapter is like a religious circuit that one would endeavour to go to at least once their lifetime!
