Climbing Chamundi Hill: 1001 Steps with a Storyteller and a Reluctant Pilgr im

US: Bantam Books (Transworld Pub, 2004. Very Good. At the top of the 1,001 steps up Chamundi Hill, there lies a 12th-century t emple that houses the golden statue of Chamundi, the Hindu goddess worshipp ed by the Maharajas. A popular pilgrimage site, this sacred place honours t his consort of Shiva who saved the citizens of Mysore from the monstrous ru le of their mythical king. Set against the exotic background of Southern In dia, "Climbing Chamundi Hill" follows the experiences of a young tourist wh o, befriended by an old Indian guide, somewhat reluctantly embarks upon the arduous climb to the sacred Shiva temple. Having journeyed to the top of t he hill many times, the old pilgrim offers to accompany the young man on hi s journey and to relate many ancient Indian tales that will help to ease th eir way and pass the time. So begins a mystical adventure for narrator and reader alike.