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The Book of Hindu Festivals and Ceremonies
by Om Lata Bahadur - £8.95 UBS Publishers (1997)
paperback
ISBN 13: 9788174761637 | ISBN 10: 8174761632
This volume highlights how the main festivals of India are celebrated, providing adequate background information, wherever needed. The spontaneous gaeity and joy generated by these festivals, along with the solemnity of the accompanying bhajans, prayer ceremonies and rituals, are captured in graphic detail. Also, the special dishes associated with some of the festivals, as well as their recipies, add 'flavour' to the contents.
Beginning with the bonfire festival of Loori, the festivals that follow such as Baisakhi, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Basant Panchami, Mahashivrati and Ram Navami, along with details of the pujas performed, are described. After the colourful Holi festival, the focus then shifts to other festivals such as Teej, Janam Ashtami, Raksha Bandhan, Bhai Dooj, Dussehra, Durga Puja and the spectacular 'festival of lights' Diwali. The significance of Karva Chauth has been emphasised as also the importance of observing 'shraads' (in memory of the departed souls).
Finally, the Hindu calender has been given and the methods of determining dates according to the lunar calendar have been outlined. A glossary has also been included which briefly describes the main vernacular words/terms in the book.
(Price & availability last checked: April 2018)
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