This book endeavors to uncover the underlying reasons behind the celebration of various festivals within the Hindu community. Many of us joyfully partake in these festivals without a comprehensive understanding of their origins and significance. Throughout the year, numerous festivals are observed, but this book focuses on some of the most renowned festivals celebrated in India and the Indian subcontinent. Hindus are deeply religious individuals who faithfully adhere to their customs and rituals. However, in matters of religion, faith often takes precedence over wisdom in India. This book delves into the multifaceted reasons behind the celebration of these festivals, exploring why ancient sages and seers designated these special days for their descendants and elucidating the benefits of adhering to rituals on these auspicious occasions.

An indispensable resource for exploring food and faith, this two-volume set offers information on food-related religious beliefs, customs, and practices from around the world. Why do Catholics eat fish on Fridays? Why are there retirement homes for aged cows in India? What culture holds ceremonies to welcome the first salmon? More than five billion people worldwide claim a religious identity that shapes the way they think about themselves, how they act, and what they eat. Food, Feasts, and Faith: An Encyclopedia of Food Culture in World Religions explores how the food we eat every day often serves purposes other than to keep us healthy and stay alive: we eat to express our faith and to adhere to ethnic or cultural traditions that are part of who we are. This book provides readers with an understanding of the rich world of food and faith. It contains more than 200 alphabetically arranged entries that describe the beliefs and customs of well-established major world religions and sects as well as those of smaller faith communities and new religious movements. The entries cover topics such as religious food rules, religious festivals and symbolic foods, and vegetarianism and veganism, as well as general themes such as rites of passage, social justice, hospitality, and compassion. Each entry on religion explains what the religious dietary laws and guidelines are and how these were interpreted and put into practice historically and in modern settings. The coverage also includes important festivals and feast days as well as significant religious figures and organizations. Additionally, some 160 sidebars provide examples and more detailed information as well as fun facts.

"In the heart of India's spiritual tapestry, a rich array of festivals adorns the calendar, each a vibrant thread in the intricate weave of Hindu culture. For many, these celebrations are joyful traditions to be cherished and shared, yet the profound stories and wisdom they carry often remain veiled in obscurity. With 'Festivals Unveiled,' we embark on a journey of discovery, peeling back the layers of mystique surrounding the most illustrious Hindu festivals. This book offers a captivating exploration of the enigmatic origins and enduring significance that shape these annual observances. For the devout Hindus, their faith runs deep, steeped in timeless customs and rituals. But the 'why' behind these traditions often remains unexplored. 'Festivals Unveiled' unravels the intricate web of spiritual and cultural reasons, revealing the wisdom of ancient sages and seers who set aside these auspicious days for their descendants. Delve into the secrets of Dussehra, Diwali, Holi, Makar Sankranti, and more, as we unearth the hidden treasures buried in these timeless celebrations. This book is an invitation to understand, appreciate, and embrace the invaluable heritage of these festivals that continues to enrich the lives of millions."

This two-volume work presents a comprehensive survey of all the ways people celebrate religious life around the globe. Religious Celebrations is an alphabetically organized encyclopedia that covers more than 800 celebratory occasions from all of the world's major religious communities as well as many of the minor faith traditions. The encyclopedia provides a complete reference tool for examining the myriad ways people worldwide celebrate their religious lives across religious boundaries, providing information on numerous celebratory activities never before covered in a reference work. Offering the most comprehensive coverage of religious holidays ever assembled, this two-volume book covers festivals, commemorations, holidays, and annual religious gatherings all over the world, with special attention paid to the celebrations in larger countries. Entries written by distinguished researchers and specialists on different religious communities capture the unique intensity of each event, be it fasting or feasting, frenzied activity or the universal cessation of work, a huge gathering of the faithful en masse or a small family-centered event. The work spotlights celebrations that currently exist without overlooking now-abandoned celebrations that still impact the modern world.

India is a multicultural country, where people of different faiths live in harmony and celebrate their festivals in the spirit of fellowship and charity. Festivals link us to our tradition and culture and renew our spiritual and family bonds. This book presents an account of the major festivals celebrated in India by people of various religions.

Tell your kid a story about Makar Sankranti! This little book presents the most important facts about Makar Sankranti. The book hifhlights main traditions and activities, it's perfect both for little Indian citizens and those living outside of India. Very informative and simple, the book will help you to explain everything related to Makar Sankranti and prepare your child for celebration. If you want to teach your baby about Indian culture in simple funny way, this book will be fantastic gift for both of you! Features: 30 pages in total simple color illustrations simple and easy language to understand for young children paperback edition dedicated to kids ages 2-4 handy 8,5" x 8,5" size, convenient when travelling with your kid

Most of us are not found to be wanting in loyalty to our faiths; the problem is to cultivate a healthy respect for what others believe! This is a worthy aim which Dada J.P. Vaswani can surely help you achieve with this balanced, thoughtful work, written in the true Indian spirit of reverence and appreciation for all approaches to Truth and Divinity. The author presents each religion as a precious jewel embellished in the crown of world civilization. Whether it is Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Jainism, Judaism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Baha’ism, Sufism or Zoroastrianism, the individual artefact is distinct, precious and unique. But the sub-stratum of belief that is at the core of their structure is eternal and unchanging: faith in the One God and the unity and fellowship of all Creation. And running as a golden thread through them all is the ultimate law which every faith never ever fails to emphasise: Do nothing that may cause pain to others. Here is a book which will reinforce your faith in humanity and help you become aware of what Vedanta emphasises: the One behind the Many, the Single Divinity behind the multiplicity of thought and creation.