It would be inconceivable to visit India or Southeast Asia without at least some knowledge of the Mahabharata and the Ramayana...
These two epics are considered the cornerstones of Hindu and Indian culture...and have great influence in Buddhist thinking...
Who could visit Angkor Wat and not know the story of the Churning of the Ocean Milk...in advance...? Or the role of Vishnu, Brahma and Ganesh in the lives of Indian and Asia people...
If you don't want to read these rather long books...study a summary... Or get the movie version on DVDs that have been done in Bollywood...!
