Wednesday, Mar 18, 2026 10:30 [IST]
Last Update: Tuesday, Mar 17, 2026 17:22 [IST]
GANGTOK, :Rachna
Books and Publications has announced the release of its latest book, “In Search
of Mount Kailash: Travels in the Sacred Himalaya”, a travelogue by noted
historian Alex McKay. The book has been published in collaboration with Sun
Rider Press, an award-winning independent publisher of travel literature based
in London.
The
newly-released work presents a deeply personal account of McKay’s extraordinary
journey through the Himalaya, including Sikkim.“From hitchhiking along the
‘Hippie Trail’ in the 1970s to his transformative journey to Mount Kailash in
1986, the book captures the author’s lifelong engagement with the sacred
Himalayas,” states a press release. “McKay blends travel writing, history and
scholarly insights with anecdotes of his encounter with monks and laypeople,
scholars and history makers, including the Dalai Lama. His writing is marked by
cultural sensitivity, gentle humour and a profound respect for the people and
traditions of the Himalaya.”
Widely
regarded as one of the foremost scholars on Tibetan and Himalayan history,
McKay, in the book, combines his lived experiences along with decades of
academic research on the region.
A
PhD graduate in South Asian History from the School of Oriental and African
Studies, London,McKay has taught and published extensively in the field. His
last book, "The Mandala Kingdom: A Political History of Sikkim”, was also
brought out by Rachna Books in 2021 and remains a seminal contribution to the
historiography of the region.
In
Search of Mount Kailash marks another milestone in Rachna Books’ growing
catalogue, as it continues to carve out a distinctive space in independent
publishing - amplifying diverse voices and fostering meaningful intellectual
exchange through books and events.
The
book is available at Rachna Books in Gangtok, on their website rachnabooks.com
and in select independent bookstores across India.
