This book is an abridged edition of the main book titled ‘Yathni’s Travel to Kailash’, a story based on Hindu mythology published in 2012.

It is a mixture of facts and fiction. In the main book, quotations are given from the religious texts and other literature from various languages- English, Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Marathi, Gujarathi and Hindi. Containing anecdotes from Hindu mythology, the story takes one to the North Pole, the Moon, the outer space and beyond. In this process matters of educational interest like climate change, space science etc are given with colourful illustrations.

Yathni is a little girl studying in Fifth Grade. She is a devotee of Lord Ganesha. Impressed by her devotion and conduct, Ganesha takes her on an excursion to Kailash. Ganesha brings the Pushpaka Vimanam-the celestial airplane- to take Yathni to Kailash. On the way, there are two halts-one at the North Pole and another at Moon. Based on the available facts, a broad picture about the Arctic region, the endangered species like the Polar Bear, facts about Moon and the lunar missions have been explained.

Then she goes to Kailash. This is not Mount Kailash on the Himalayas. But it is something found in Hindu scriptures. I have used my imagination based on scriptures to explain this place. Here Yathni has an audience with Lord Shiva. Thereafter, she is taken to Devalokam, the world of gods. Here she is entertained with a dance drama from Bhattathri's Narayaneeyam..

Basic awareness material about global warming, climate change, pollution, endangered species, biodiversity etc and the need for the protection of the environment have been interwoven periodically in the story. The book is for all type of readers and especially for youngsters above ten years of age.

Printed copies of the main book are available with me and those who desire to get them may write to me at venkalp74@gmail.com.

M. VENKATARAMAN