Lucknow: An enlightening and deeply engaging evening unfolded at Universal Booksellers, where author Vipul B. Varshney released her latest work “Temples of Awadh.” The event, anchored and moderated by an esteemed speaker, turned into an inspiring and intellectually charged dialogue on India’s ancient temple culture and its enduring civilizational legacy.
The interactive session, filled with insights and reflections, delved into the hidden facets of the mystical world of temples, tracing their evolution from ancient times to the modern era. Vipul Varshney, through her extensive research, has captured not only the architectural grandeur but also the spiritual symbolism that temples embody in shaping India’s cultural ethos.
Describing temples as pillars of India’s civilizational strength, Varshney highlighted how culture has served as the bedrock of societal continuity. “Civilizations that distanced themselves from their cultural roots perished,” she remarked, adding that India’s resilience through centuries of invasions and upheavals lies in its deep-rooted spiritual traditions.
The discussion also drew from Lord Thomas Babington Macaulay’s historical statement on the Indian civilization, emphasizing the colonial designs to erode India’s spiritual and cultural backbone. The quote served as a reminder of the significance of preserving indigenous heritage:
“I have travelled across the length and breadth of India and I have not seen one person who is a beggar, who is a thief. Such wealth I have seen in this country, such high moral values, people of such calibre, that I do not think we would ever conquer this country, unless we break the very backbone of this nation, which is her spiritual and cultural heritage…”
Reflecting on this, the moderator underscored the resilient spirit of Indian civilization, which continues to thrive as the world’s oldest living culture. “Our temples are not just places of worship—they are living symbols of continuity, devotion, and the collective consciousness of our people,” she said.
The event concluded with a warm vote of thanks, celebrating “Temples of Awadh” as a scholarly tribute to India’s sacred geography and a call to reconnect with the nation’s spiritual roots. The audience, comprising scholars, readers, and cultural enthusiasts, lauded Vipul Varshney for illuminating the essence of India’s timeless heritage through his work.
