Elephants have long been a part of India's culture, religion and the natural environment. Elephants are a "mammoth" presence in India's mythology, and folklore. The divinity in elephants is worshipped in the form of the elephant-headed god, Ganesha. However, it is also true that this gentle giant is now an endangered animal. "Balarama's Story" is the biography of an elephant that was uprooted from its natural home in the forest to later attain iconic status as a "royal elephant" in Dasara festival of the once Royal Mysore. Follow the tale of Balarama in this captivating narration, and learn about the private lives of elephants in the forest and why elephants matter to mankind!!!

The Lewins visit Mysore, India, to be part of the centuries-old festival of Dasara and to watch elephant Balarama make his debut carrying the golden howdah in the grand finale parade of Dasara festivities.

Krishna is a central figure in Hinduism, a religion that has been a fundamental force for thousands of years. This accessible encyclopedia covers texts, practices, scholarship, and arts related to Krishna from the earliest known sources on. As Eastern religions and related practices such as yoga become increasingly popular, there is a need for resources that explain where these practices come from and what they mean. This is one of those works. Krishna is central to Hindu philosophy, theology, art, architecture, and literature, and an understanding of Krishna will give students greater understanding of the role of Hinduism around the world. Yet this isn't just a book on religion. The encyclopedia also provides insights into Indian and world history and into contemporary concerns, fostering respect for religious and cultural diversity. Entries on a wide range of subjects related to Krishna cover India and other places where major Krishna religious centers and temples are established worldwide. Articles draw from classical Indian sources dating back as far as 1300 BCE and from folk and worldwide literature, including mythology from Jainism and Buddhism. The book's alphabetical organization, cross references in each entry that highlight related entries and further readings, and topical and thematic lists will facilitate in-depth research.

Explores the significance of levity and humor in South Asian religious traditions.