Walking With Nanak Paperback – 16 May 2023

It is very rare when I pick up a book and read it twice or thrice, for me to do that it has to be a special book, written well, simple and uncomplicated… that’s how I picked up my first copy of Walking With Nanak “ at book shop in Delhi some years back. Till then I was unaware of the author and his books.What made me pick this book up was I guess my curiousity to know and and learn more about Guru Nanakji and his teaching, being a south indian I didn’t have much exposure to Sikhism though I had a few friend who were Sikhs. Before reading this book, I had read History of Sikhs by Khushwant Singh one of my favorite authors and I guess my journey towards Sikhism began here… I started visiting Gurudwara’s listening to the Gurbani and slowly started understanding them to.The day I picked up this book and showed it to my husband who is a Punjabi he was surprised and glad that I was showing interest in Sikhism.Walking with Nanak is an eye-opener for any one who wants to know more about Guru Nanakji and Sikhism. It is the only religion in the world where there is no worship of idols, icons, pictures of Gods and Goddesses. According to Guru Nanakji, God is everywhere and one doesn’t need to search for him, we have to just find him within ourselves..This book is not only a story about Gurudwara’s and Sikhism but also about the different facets of Nanakji - the son, the husband, the father, the poet, the wanderer and the friend, all these different faces of Nanakji complete the picture of Nanakji as a man and how in due course of time he became Guru Nanak Devji.In this wonderful book about Guru Nanak Devji, Haroon Khalid describes his travels with his mentor Iqbal Quaiser through Pakistan and re discovers the route of Nanakji, takes us through the many gurudwaras and other locales which Nanakji discovered and stayed in.The simple easy to understand language and description makes this book a wonderful reading and is a must for all those who want to know more about Guru Nanak Devji and Sikhism. Reading this book not once but twice has not only enlightened me but has given me a new perception of Sikhism which is today one of the most revered religions of the world.

I liked the glimpse into the sights and various gurudwaras associated with Guru Nanak in Pakistan. I am impressed by the author's dedication to visiting all these places and writing about them. The fictional parts exploring Nanak as a young boy, son, father and husband were interesting. However, I can see people more conservative and orthodox than me being offended by Nanak's portrayal as a 'common' man.The only aspect I am iffy about is whether the chapters about the other Sikh Gurus were needed or not. I can see what the author was trying to do but the descending order with those chapters and trying to summarise the evolution of Sikhism in a few pages...I don't think it was completely successful. Should've just focused on Nanak and his journey

So very well written.It makes you feel that you are actually walking with Guru Nanak.It brings alive the time when the Guru traveled in Punjab and further West.You also learn of the present condition of all the Gurdwaras that wereconstructed at the places where he stopped during his travels.

A very nicely scripted book which gives perspective of Guru Nanak dev Ji's journey. A must read book.

This book will give a non religious perspective on Guru Nanak and will take you through his interesting journey on foot in the Indo-Pak region. Must read for those who want to understand Guru Nanak or Sikhism from an academic or philosophical view point.What i like about Khalid’s writing is that he has treated Nanak not like a demigod or holy guru but shown his human side and that makes Nanak’s journey much more interesting and intriguing and helps you understand how the seemingly radical thoughts of a young traveller created a spiritual revolution in India.You’ll also notice the irony if you have been in touch with Sikhs. The same rituals and practices that Nanak was against are followed by some devoted sikhs today, though unknowingly. So I also call upon all the Sikhs to read this and understand the true message of Guru Nanak.

Refreshingly original, breezy and honest, this book deals with the travels of Guru Nanak. Though it doesn't cover all his travels (nanak travelled for over 27 years and in multiple countries many of which are war-torn now), the author manages most of the sites in pakistan. Smoothly transitioning between back stories and his continuing search, he weaves a thread of narration that is compelling, easy to read and informative.Some of the conditions of the shrines in Pakistan makes you cringe, and accept the frivolous nature of our attempts at permanence and immortality. Much like In Search Of Zarathustra by Paul Kriwaczek in concept, but not in content, the author attempts a journey most difficult and perhaps only possible because of access as a muslim.

In this age of right wing nationalism and religious extremism,its soothing to read a beautiful religious travelogue. Walking with Nanak is a well written and presented book.The author touched a very sensitive subject,properly researched it and kept controversy away from his text.These reasons are enough to rate the book four stars.But I am adding an extra star just for the content.There are three stories which run parallel to each other- Guru Nanak's journey,the author's journey and the short history of gurus from last to first.In the last chapter,all these three stories combine to conclude the book which in a way spreads the religious message of Nanak.I would recommend this book for all of you wanting a change in reading material.

Very well written with full clarity on the subject.