Amish Tripathi and Bhavna Roy's New Book, IDOLS: Unearthing the Power of Murti Puja, will be Published by HarperCollins India

Discover the profound significance of idol worship in India and beyond in 'IDOLS' by Amish Tripathi & Bhavna Roy, a best-seller now available from HarperCollins.

on Sep 07, 2023

Amish Tripathi and Bhavna Roy's New Book, IDOLS: Unearthing the Power of Murti Puja, will be Published by HarperCollins India | Frontlist

HarperCollins is excited to announce the imminent publication of DHARMA's companion volume, which has been a best-seller since its initial release. IDOLS, by Amish Tripathi and Bhavna Roy, is an in-depth and thought-provoking examination of the practise of murti puja - or idol worshipping, as some refer to it - and its profound significance in the spiritual lives of religious people in India and around the world. Much of the ancient world worshipped idols, including the Greco-Romans, Pharaonic Egyptians, Celts, and Vikings, but murti puja has experienced significant intellectual and violent attacks throughout the last centuries, resulting in its extinction in most areas of the world. Temples in idol-worshipping societies were demolished, universities were burned to the ground, and people were scattered. India is one of the few remaining nations that practise murti puja, a thoroughly philosophical and intuitively open spiritual method.

IDOLS, which is set to be released on October 16, blends together well-loved stories from old traditions and basic explanations of religious philosophy from throughout the world in the guise of a lively dialogue amongst a diverse group of family and friends. It's a fascinating book for anyone interested in spirituality and mythology, as well as anyone who wants to learn more about religion and its history on a global scale.

"I had the privilege of growing up in a deeply traditional family," author Amish explains. But it was also profoundly liberal. If you grasp the concepts of murti puja, you will realise that this is not a contradiction, because this spiritual path allows you to be both traditional and liberal. Bhavna didi and I are sharing what we learned from our family and through our reading in this book on why we are such proud murti pujaks."

"We live in a time when the breakdown of traditions and communities, constant noise caused by technology, and environmental instability due to climate change are all combining to create a perfect storm," author Bhavna Roy says. We have many material conveniences, yet our thoughts are filled with disorder, tension, and even sadness. Returning to an ancient spiritual way of life can provide solace, hope, and the potential of peaceful coexistence. Amish and I hope to share some of our discoveries regarding symbolism and love devotion in this book. We hope it strikes a chord with you."

"The practise of idol worship has incited controversy, invited intrigue, and fascinated people for millennia," says Poulomi Chatterjee, Publisher of HarperCollins India. In IDOLS, Amish and Bhavna provide readers with clear-eyed opinions on the subject while simultaneously regaling them with fantastic stories from myths from throughout the world, narrated with great flair.