A major literary achievement has brought pride to the Himalayan publishing community as In Search of Mount Kailash: Travels in the Sacred Himalaya by Alex McKay has won the prestigious Kekoo Naoroji Book Award for Mountain Literature.
The award was presented during the Himalayan Adventure Festival held in Mumbai on March 21–22, recognizing excellence in contemporary Himalayan writing. Instituted by the Himalayan Club in association with the Naoroji family and the Godrej Group, the award honours outstanding literary contributions centered on the Himalayas.
Named after Kekoo Naoroji, a distinguished figure who served the Himalayan Club as both President and Secretary, the award is adjudicated by an expert jury. Previous recipients include noted authors such as Stephen Alter, Deborah Baker, Bernadette McDonald, Nandini Purandare, and Deepa Balsavar.
Published in the Indian subcontinent by Rachna Books and Publications in collaboration with Sun Rider Press, the award-winning book is a deeply personal travelogue that traces McKay’s lifelong engagement with the Himalayas. It captures his early journeys along the famed “Hippie Trail,” explorations of Mount Kailash, and experiences across the Himalayan region, including Sikkim.
Blending travel writing, historical insight, and rich cultural encounters, the book has been praised by the jury as “a timeless exploration of faith, landscape, and the human spirit,” highlighting its cultural sensitivity and depth of engagement with the region.
Alex McKay is widely regarded as one of the foremost scholars of Tibetan and Himalayan history. His earlier work, The Mandala Kingdom: A Political History of Sikkim (2021), remains a significant contribution to the academic understanding of Sikkim’s past.
This recognition further strengthens the reputation of Rachna Books and Publications as a leading independent publisher promoting Himalayan narratives and voices on the global stage.
The book is now available through Rachna Books’ official website and select independent bookstores across India, while international readers can access it via Sun Rider Press.
