The Emerald Route

The Emerald Route is a travelogue by R. K. Narayan. It was published by Indian Thought Publications in 1980. It is a pseudo-travel guide for Karnataka, India. The book was commissioned by the Government of Karnataka, and the initial non-commercial version was published in 1977 as part of a government publication. The book is focused on local history, culture and heritage, and doesn't exhibit much of Narayan's characteristic personal narrative.

The Emerald Route is R.K. Narayan’s account of his travels across his homeland of Karnataka, from Belur and Halebid to Gulbarga and Hampi, from the hilly prospects of Mangalore to the gold mines of Kolar, from the legendary battlefield of Seringapanam—home of Tippu Sultan—to the rock formations of Bellary—supposed to be gigantic pellets thrown by Bhima at Bakasura. As he makes his way through the shopping complexes of Bangalore and the elephant khedda at Karapur, samples the local delicacies like Nanjangud bananas and Avaraikalu beans and enjoys the sunsets and mallige (jasmine) at Mysore, the master storyteller tells us about the history and mythology that make Karnataka the fascinating state it is. Published in paperback for the first time, this previously unavailable volume from India’s greatest living writer will be a delight to every fan of R.K. Narayan.