https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

A Retd. IAS Officer’s Love For Uttarakhand Temples Takes the Form of a Book

Retired IAS officer Aradhana Johri’s book, ‘Beyond The Misty Veil’, was recently launched by Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu. The book contains stories related to over 1000 temples in the hills of Uttarakhand. The officer takes the readers through a detailed tour of these temples, making them relive the wonder and mysticism.
Indian Masterminds Stories

Uttarakhand is the land where magnificent temples are dedicated not only to Brahmanical deities but also to folk Gods who are as colourful as they are revered. These grand edifices are virtually poetry in stone where every stone tells a different story. The ornamental exuberance and intricate craftsmanship can be compared to the handiwork of a gem setter as they stand in timeless harmony with centuries settling softly on their shoulders.

Through her book, Beyond the Misty Veil, retired IAS officer Aradhana Johri takes us through a detailed tour of over 1000 temples in Uttarakhand and helps us in reliving the wonder and mysticism. 

THE MAGICAL TEMPLES OF UTTARAKHAND

Encompassing the faith of millions of people, the temples of Uttarakhand are also the windows to the past of this proud land where there is little recorded history. But most fascinating is the manifold legends that they clasp to themselves, as they stand tall at the cusp of heaven and earth. Here mythology merges into reality. These temples talk. The Himalayas speak.

Former bureaucrat Aradhana Johri wished to bring to limelight all such fascinating stories on hundreds of temples in the hill-state of Uttarakhand in detail. She visited the temples and listened to the stories they spoke of and attempted to lift the misty veil to capture some of the fascinating stories of Gods and Men, as seen through the eyes of these temples.

BEYOND THE MISTY VEIL

Perhaps the first-ever documentary on the temples of Uttarakhand, the book covers about a thousand temples, of which about 700 are listed and 300 are mentioned in great detail.

The book was formally launched last week by Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, who said, “Given the importance of old temples, their background and relevance cited in historic texts such as the Puranas, the book can be useful for the younger generation to preserve our culture.”

The book gives the reader a glimpse into history and mythology as it offers details about places of reverence, such as the temples collectively known as the Char Dham and the Panch Kedar.

CLOSE TO HER HEART

Ms. Johri completed most of her schooling from the hills of Nainital. As a young girl, she frequently visited the temples of Uttarakhand and got lost in their beauty and calmness. She could feel that every single temple located in the hills of the state had a unique story to tell.

Her love for the temples and the state of Uttarakhand brought out the inner author in her and she made up her mind to write Beyond the Misty Veil and dedicate it to the temples by bringing out their stories for the world to read.

“This book was borne out of my love for Uttarakhand and is the outcome of my abiding interest in our history and mythology, together with the passion for preserving India’s heritage and culture,” Ms. Johri said, while speaking to media.

The book was published by Prabhat Prakashan and was launched by the Vice President in the presence of Union minister G Kishen Reddy.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
India’s Missile Strikes on 11 Pakistani Airbases Forced Islamabad Into Panic: Ex-UK Envoy Reveals Secret Saudi Defense Pact
India’s Missile Strikes on 11 Pakistani Airbases Forced Islamabad Into Panic: Ex-UK Envoy Reveals Secret Saudi Defense Pact
Devendra Kumar Tiwari Alka Tiwari  IAS Jharkhand
First IAS Couple in India to Hold Both Chief Secretary & State Election Commissioner Posts Consecutively - Know This Powerful Pair
Policing, Trust, and Investment: Insights from IPF - Indian Masterminds
Indian Police Foundation Marks 10 Years, Discussion on How Policing Builds Investor Confidence
Madhya Pradesh football training
Mini Brazil to Germany: Vicharpur’s Young Footballers Get CM Mohan Yadav’s Blessings on Vijayadashami Week
bureaucracy news
Centre Announces Key Bureaucratic Appointments & Deputation Extensions: Neeraj Surendran, Arun G, Anand Mohan Among Key Names
PM Modi CM Nitish Kumar
Bihar Receives Rs. 10,219 Crore from Centre: A Festive Gift On Vijayadashami to Fuel Development & Welfare, Backed by GST Reforms
Chhattisgarh government
Chhattisgarh CM Charts Development Roadmap: Push for Capital Expenditure, Biometric Attendance, & Transparent Governance
Vishnu Deo Sai CM
Chhattisgarh Gets Rs. 3,462 Crore Boost from Modi Government: Here's How CM Sai Pledges To Spend It!
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
Ravikant Meena on IFS Preparation, Optionals, and Life in Forest Service
Siddhartha Saxena UPSC CAPF
How Siddhartha Saxena Cracked UPSC CAPF AIR 326 Against All Odds
Dr. S.K
Technology Meets Ecology: IFS Dr S K Srivastava’s Game-Changing Innovations in Forest Management | Eco Warrior Awards 2025 Interview
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
UPSC Chairman Ajay Kumar Live Interaction
From Cut-off Dates to Coaching & Reforms: UPSC Chairman Ajay Kumar Assures Aspirants of Fairness, Transparency & a Future-Ready UPSC | UPSC@100
A Century of Service: The UPSC’s Landmark Year Begins. Chairman Ajay Kumar on UPSC’s Centennial: “Merit,...
Giriraj Parihar MPPSC 2024
From Constable to Deputy Collector: Giriraj Parihar’s 9-Year MPPSC Journey | Farmer’s Son, Brother to Five Sisters
From a jail guard to MPPSC 2024 Rank 8, Giriraj Parihar’s nine-year journey of self-study, hard work,...
Ankit MPPSC 2024 Rank 3
From Village Dreams to Deputy Collector’s Chair: Meet Ankit, MPPSC Rank 3 Hindi Medium Topper
Ankit, a Hindi-medium aspirant from Balaghat, secured Rank 3 in MPPSC 2024 and became Deputy Collector...
Social Media
World Rhino Day India
On World Rhino Day, IFS Officer Parveen Kaswan Shares Rare Insights - India Now Hosts 80% of the World’s One-Horned Rhinos
September 22 Marks Global Call for Rhino Conservation; India Holds 80% of World’s Greater One-Horned...
Parag Madhukar Dhakate
Relentless Rains Wreak Havoc in Dehradun: IFS officer PM Dhakate Warns Citizens Amid Flash Floods
Cloudbursts in Dehradun triggered flash floods. IFS officer Dr. PM Dhakate warned citizens to stay indoors...
Forest Guard Tiger Encounter
Tigers Clash in the Wild as Forest Guards Capture Rare Footage , Retired IFS Mohan Pargaien Posts Viral Video
Retired IFS officer Mohan Pargaien shares viral video of three tigers brawling in Ramnagar, as forest...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
India’s Missile Strikes on 11 Pakistani Airbases Forced Islamabad Into Panic: Ex-UK Envoy Reveals Secret Saudi Defense Pact
India’s Missile Strikes on 11 Pakistani Airbases Forced Islamabad Into Panic: Ex-UK Envoy Reveals Secret Saudi Defense Pact
Devendra Kumar Tiwari Alka Tiwari  IAS Jharkhand
First IAS Couple in India to Hold Both Chief Secretary & State Election Commissioner Posts Consecutively - Know This Powerful Pair
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
Siddhartha Saxena UPSC CAPF
Dr. S.K
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT