After a long hiatus, I’m excited to share this new post—a special experience that combines reading and exploring places. I chose to read a chapter from Shulpaneshwar, part of Amritlal Vegad’s travelogue Parikrama Narmada Maiyani. The concept I explored here is called “destination reading,” where the text and the real-world location it describes come together to create an immersive and meaningful experience.
The Inspiration
The idea of destination reading was inspired by a lecture on The Ministry of Utmost Happiness by Prof. Dr. Dilip Barad, from the Department of English, MKBU. In that lecture, sir shared a video showcasing destination reading in Delhi, where locations mentioned in the novel were explored. This approach stayed with me, and I was eager to try it myself someday.
Why Shulpaneshwar?
Ever since I began working in Rajpipla, the name Shulpaneshwar kept resonating in my mind. It reminded me of a chapter I studied during my school days, a memory I had nearly forgotten until now. This nostalgia encouraged me to revisit the place—not only as a traveler but also as a reader.
I bought Amritlal Vegad’s Parikrama Narmada Maiyani online and began reading it, where I encountered his vivid descriptions of Shulpaneshwar. This was enough to ignite my curiosity to visit the place and experience it firsthand, while also reflecting on how Vegad portrayed it in his work.
This trip marked my fourth visit to the Statue of Unity, yet during every previous visit, I missed the chance to explore Shulpaneshwar for various reasons. Determined not to let that happen again, I finally made it to the place this time.
The visit was a blend of nostalgia and discovery. While many things have changed over time, I could still sense the essence of Shulpaneshwar that Vegad had beautifully captured in his book. The serene surroundings and cultural significance of the place made the experience unforgettable.
A Lesson Learned
In my excitement, I forgot to carry my Bluetooth device, which could have significantly enhanced the audio quality of the video I recorded. Although the oversight was disappointing, it served as a reminder to be more prepared in the future.
The Significance of Destination Reading
This journey highlighted how destination reading can transform our relationship with literature. By exploring the very locations described in a narrative, the text comes alive in an entirely new way. It deepens our understanding of the story and its setting while fostering a stronger connection between the reader and the writer's perspective.
Visiting Shulpaneshwar through the lens of Vegad’s work wasn’t just a journey to a place; it was a journey into the heart of his narrative. It allowed me to reflect on how stories and real-world experiences can complement one another, enriching both in the process.
I hope this post inspires others to try destination reading and to revisit their favorite books in the context of the places they describe. Literature has a unique way of bringing places to life, and visiting those places can, in turn, bring literature to life in unexpected ways.
Thank you for joining me on this journey. If you’ve ever experienced destination reading or have a favorite book-location pairing, I’d love to hear about it!
