[Article by Michaela Elias]
The country of Nepal, situated between India and China, is the most popular travel destination in Asia. It is a land abundant with culture, spirituality, and adventure. Nepal, abounding in rich history, boasts over 69 ethnic groups, 71 cultures, some of the most beautiful scenery in the world, and maybe the greatest hiking and trekking on earth considering it is home to Mt. Everest. It is also home to three Pilgrim Book Houses one in Kathmandu, the capitol of Nepal, one in Varansi, and one in Delhi. And although each one of these book houses is unique, none of them are your ordinary bookstore. Most of the books in stock are rare and incomparable just like the book houses themselves. Nepal’s propensity towards adventure and divinity is reflected in the themes of the books at the Pilgrim Book Houses, many of which have a focus on travel and religion. Rama Tiwari, the founder and owner of the Pilgrim Book Houses travels around the world himself, searching for unusual books with significant information and far reaching messages. America, France, and Germany are some of the countries he visits in his quest for unconventional and refreshing literature. Most of the books he collects are in English but the book house does contain a section for foreign novels, which have eastern themes.
Rama Tiwari’s fascination with books began at a young age. He started his successful career cleaning books in a bookstore. From there he ventured on to sell books on the street and then to open his first Pilgrim Book House in Nepal. The Pilgrim aspect of Tiwari’s Book Houses stems from his philosophy that we are all pilgrims in our journey through life. He believes we are all on a quest to discover answers to the fundamental questions of “Who am I” and “Why am I here?”
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Tiwari’s goal for his bookstores is to assist seekers in their pilgrimage by collecting art and books that disseminate ideas, knowledge, and peace of mind. Tiwari says that travelers frequently tell him that his bookstores have touched their hearts and have had a powerful and lasting impact on them. Local intellectuals also frequent his bookstores and local authors are published there. Several books have even been translated from Nepali to English and they have received a great response.
Tiwari also serves as a book doctor. After the Pilgrim Book Houses were met with such success, Tiwari decided to take on another project, an independent publishing company appropriately named Pilgrim Publishing. In the last fifteen years he has published around 1500 books in English and 600 in Hindi. Only about 2000 to 3000 copies are printed of each book but Tawari insists that does just the trick. His goal for Pilgrim Publishing is to sew the seeds, to lay the foundations for little-known writers whose books might not be in demand in the market but in whose work Tiwari sees value. So in short, by publishing these books in small quantities Tiwari keeps them alive. Tiwari believes in the books he publishes, believes in their messages and values to the point he feels it is his duty to bring these books to light and give people the privilege of reading them.
In selecting which books to publish Tiwari looks for the values of the four Hindu pursuits of life: Dharma (ethics or meaning of life), Artha (wealth and prosperity), Kama (continuity), and Moksha (liberation). Tiwari looks for the right messages about these ideals in the books he publishes because he believes it is his mission to pass on the knowledge that is within the pages of these books. After all, the mission statement of Pilgrim Publishing is “Let all noble thoughts and imaginations come from each and every direction and encompass the world.”
Although Tiwari’s line of work is so unique he has not been able to avoid the depressing economy and the growing reliance on technology and quick answers. Tiwari says that when he started with his book houses there weren’t any online bookshops so people would come to Nepal to find the books that weren’t available at their local bookstores. But now even some of the rarest books are accessible at people’s fingertips and many are no longer willing to make the trip. However, the book houses stay afloat because Tiwari still stocks books that are so obscure that they have yet to be found by the vigilant online booksellers. The book houses will always have their loyal supporters such as one doctor who visited the book house and then paid for a 6000-dollar book and Tiwari’s flight to Germany just to surprise his wife with a special gift for her birthday. Also Pilgrim Book Houses are not your everyday Barnes and Noble rather they come with a one of a kind experience and invitation into the rich beautiful culture of Nepal. The book houses also continue to cater to the individual visitors needs for example the book house in Varanasi is replete with books on Hinduism and Buddhism because its visitors are generally interested in religion and spirituality. And Tiwari insists there is still a place for small private publishing houses even in today’s economy. Well, if the publisher’s goal is just making money then Tiwari is not too hopeful but an objective of sharing the knowledge, Tiwari believes, can never go out of fashion.
And as if book houses and publishing companies weren’t enough, Rama Tiwari is a collector of all unusual things ranging from paintings, to textiles, to collages, to toothpick holders to shoes. Most of his finds come from India and he is a staunch supporter of the older and simpler pieces. Tiwari says that out of habit we latch onto the newer things but sometimes the more practical, useful and eco-friendly things are the ones that have been around for ages.
Recently Rama Tiwari attempted to open a fourth book house in Los Angeles California but it unfortunately fell through when he got homesick and didn’t find enough people who shared his vision to make it worthwhile. He then left and put all his rare books and artwork into storage until a friend convinced him it was ridiculous to conceal such an incredible stash. Today Tiwari’s collection is being exhibited at Café Gratitude for culture lovers and knowledge seekers who are exploring a little closer to home. Tiwari believes that his display at Café Gratitude is a blessing because when our body is fed we have a good mind and our heart is healthy so we can then cultivate our hearts and minds through the literature and artwork. So the books and artwork being shown at a café really works perfectly together and embodies the whole unique idea of the Pilgrim Book Houses and Pilgrim Publishing.
To this day thousands of travelers and seekers who visit Nepal on their quest for answers and clarity stop by the book houses and become immersed in their profusion of knowledge and virtues and it is safe to say that it is here, if anywhere, that pilgrims can finally find what they are looking for.