Banaras: Walk Through India's Sacred City (limited
Nandini Majumdar
Banaras is a city on the banks of the river Ganges. It is the holiest of the seven sacred cities in Hinduism and Jainism, and played an important role in the development of Buddhism. It is regarded as one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. It is portrayed beautifully through Majumdar's captivating perspective on different walks around the city. Banaras witnesses thousands of devout Hindus who journey to the banks of the Ganga to wash their sins away. The ghats and the riot of colours only add to the character of this city. Banaras now known as Varanasi is also a major tourist attraction and welcomes thousands from around the world.
Saraswati Nandini Majumdar is a writer and musician. She grew up in Banaras and has always been fascinated by its lanes and life. Nandini is associated with NIRMAN, a non-profit organisation based in Banaras that works for education and the arts (www.nirman.info). She will donate all royalties from the sale of Banaras: Walks Through India's Sacred City to NIRMAN, for community and arts revitalisation projects in Banaras. Other than this book of walks, Nandini has also published children's books with NIRMAN (Cows, Satya's Boat, The River at Night, Rain!).