Glimpses of the Western Himalaya : Pen Drawings and Description of Majestic Mountains, Verdant Valleys and Marvellous Monuments/O.C. Handa. 136 p., 42 drawings, $63.
Contents: Introduction. 1. A viaduct on the Kalka-Shimla railways system. 2. Tara Hall of Shimla. 3. Naga Temple at Naldehra. 4. The fabled land of Renuka. 5. Rail and road bridges across Binwa Khad. 6. A Kangra village in the snowy setting. 7. Rock-cut temple complex at Masrur. 8. Ghanta Ghar of Mandi. 9. The Thirthan Valley. 10. The great tower of Chaini. 11. Manu Rishi Temple at Shainsar. 12. Adi Brahma Temple at Khokhan. 13. Parashar--the lake divine. 14. Adi Purkha Temple at Tihri-Uttarsal. 15. Triyogi Narayan Temple at Dayar. 16. A village setting in Kullu Valley. 17. The beas at Bhuntar. 18. Manali--the holidayers' paradise. 19. Hidimba Devi Temple at Dhungri (Manali). 20. Gondhala castle: a towering monument in the rugged setting. 21. Ki monastery of Spiti. 22. Where Spiti and Pin Meet. 23. Dhankar: a castle in the air. 24. Spiti: the land of exotic flora. 25. Lamayuru monastery of Ladakh. 26. Tikse monastery. 27. Mount Kinnar Kailash. 28. Naga Devata Temple at Pangi. 29. Maishur Temple at Sungra. 30. Kamaru castle of Kinnaur. 31. The caste-temple of Sapani. 32. Bhimakali temple at Sarahan. 33. Sarahan mountainscape. 34. Jageshwar Mahadev Temple at Dalash. 35. Bhawani Temple at Manan. 36. Castle-palace of Kotkhai. 37. Baneshwar Devata Temple at Pujarali. 38. The Pabbar Valley. 39. Thainag Devata at Harwani. 40. Tyuni on the Tons. 41. Mahasu Devata Temple at Hanol. 42. Temple at Lakhamandal.
"The present work is a collection of forty-two pen drawings done by O.C. Handa. These depict different facets of natural grandeur of variegated western Himalayan canvas. The scenic valleys, the tranquil lakes, the gurgling rivers, the majestic mountains, the colourful and rich folk-life, the magnificent age-old temples and monasteries, the ancient buildings and forts, the rural settings, etc., which abound this region so profoundly, have become the theme of these drawings. These have been arranged in a definite sequence so that, while going through them, a complete circuit of adventure through the mountains and monuments of this region is accomplished in one go. Brief description has been added with each drawing so that these may be enjoyed by the viewers and readers alike with the nostalgic ferment crystallized in them.
"These drawings describe the scenic spots in and around Shimla and in the Shiwalik foothills; the fabled land of Renuka in Sirmaur; the rock-cut temples at Masrur in Kangra; the monuments of Chinese architecture in Mandi; the age-old wooden temples and historic monuments of Kullu; the towering magnificent monuments in the rugged setting of Lahul valley; the exotic trans-Himalayan snow-desert of Spiti; the spectacular fort-monasteries and wonderful mountainscapes of Ladakh; the breath-taking glimpse of Kinnar-Kailash and the magnificent wooden temples amazingly rich in artistic wood-carving in Kinnaur; the palatial and beautiful Bhimakali temple at Sarahan; the scenic grandeur of the sun-bathed bright Pabbar valley; the majestic grandeur of the temple at Hanol in Jaunsar-Bawar; and the rich archaeological site of Lakhamandal on the Jamuna.
"For the benefit of visitors and tourists to this region, vital locational information has been added in the text. It is hoped that through these visual essays and descriptive write-ups, the viewers and readers shall be able to peep into the history and partake the bliss of nostalgic charm that has kept haunting and inspiring all Himalaya lovers through ages." (jacket)
[O.C. Handa's books include Tabo Monastery and Buddhism in the Trans-Himalaya and Buddhist Art and Antiquities of Himachal Pradesh.]