The secret of Hinduism's successful survival can be traced to the imaginative and colourful celebration of its festivals by the people. These joyous occasions of festivals have a powerful impact on the faith and belief of the masses. These festivals and fairs have several ramifications in the social, economical, cultural and artistic spheres.

Contents: An Introduction to Tribal Fairs and Festivals, Fairs and Festivals of the Kinnaras of Western Himalaya, Asur Festivals, Festivals of Sauria Paharia, Disuasendra in Santhal Society, Tribal Fairs and Festivals of Rajasthan, Celebration of Life, Fairs and Festivals of the Bhilala Tribe, Tribal Festivals in Maharashtra, Nyokum: The Festival of the Nyishis of Arunachal Pradesh, Tribal Festivals in Kalhandi, Orissa, Influence of Kali Puja Festival on Tribals of West Bengal, Festivals in India: A Theoretical Consideration, Bohada: The Mask Festival of Bharsatmet, Festivals and Fairs of the Nagas, Festivals of Selected Tribes from South India, Vaneshwar Fair, Fairs in Tribal Bihar, Folk Dance in the Season of Fairs and Festivals Amongst Juangs, Gujarat s Tribal Fairs, Toranmal Fir of the Tribals from Satpuda Mountain Ranges, Bhima Shanker Tribal Fair, The Mahalaxmi Fair of Tribals in South Gujarat and Western Maharashtra, Devmogra and Asthamba Fairs.

This is the first comprehensive resource on the subject of love in the teachings of the world's major religions, cultures, and philosophies. Encyclopedia of Love in World Religions is the first reference work to offer a comprehensive portrait of love in the context of the classic and contemporary literature of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism, as well as other cultures and philosophies. Like no volume published to date, it reveals the full richness of religious teachings on love in all its many forms, exploring an extensive range of topics that offer philosophical, psychological, and religious perspectives to guide the quest for the meaning of love. Encyclopedia of Love in World Religions features approximately 300 subject entries, as well as insightful biographic sketches of preeminent thinkers, all written by a multidisciplinary team of some of the foremost scholars on the subject. Entries examine both general and culture-specific interpretations of love: not just the dichotomy of spiritual and physical love, but the full emotional spectrum of love in relationships and practices. Collectively, they encompass love's integral—and sometimes conflicting—role in shaping beliefs and behavior in a vastly diverse world.

"Dr. Bhardwaj's in-depth study of the various aspects of the institution of pilgrimage shows that instead of being a simple practice it has been a gigantic phenomenon affecting all aspects of Indian life. . . integrating diverse forces, various cults, and numerous traditions over the ages."--Asian Student "This is the best general survey of a major religion's total pilgrimage system and the best intensive investigation of one of its subsystems. . . . Dr. Bhardwaj's book is an important step towards the recognition of a social phenomenon which has for millennia played a crucial role in the integration of religions, nationalities, and international communities. And, not least importantly, it is highly readable."--Journal of the American Academy of Religion "Detailed, accurate, and generally informative; he has succeeded in tracing, for the first time, the relationship of the rank-order or 'level' of a sacred place. . . to its degree of sanctity, type of deity, and caste and motivation of the pilgrim. . . .The implications of Mr. Bhardwaj's study are profound and necessary to the understanding of Indian religion. . . it is fascinating."--Times Literary Supplement "Here is a fine example of what the geographic study of India needs: disciplined work that shows full awareness of Indian cultural meanings. . . .it sets a worth standard."--Professional Geographer

This Relationship Starts From Ancient Magico-Religious Rituals And Continues Through Ages Right Upto Present Times. In This Long History We Find Different Religions Adopting Different Attitude Towards Theatrical Arts. In Many Cases Theatre Became A Most Powerful Medium Of Propagation Of Religious Creeds. It Was Considered That The Best Way To Appeasse God Is To Offer Him Theatricals. Beautiful Maidens Were Consecrated To The Temples To Serve The Deities By Entertaining Them With Songs, Music, Dance And Drama. One Time The Magnificent Temple Of Brihadeshvara Had In Its Service Four Hundred Devadasis Skilled In Theatrical Arts. Advent Of Bhakti Movement In India Gave New Impetus To The Theatrical Arts In India. Various Theatrical Forms Purported To Depict Leelas Or Divine Acts Of Various Deities Emerged All Over The Country. Grants Were Made To Temples And Religious Establishments To Sustain Theatrical Activities. The Book Gives All Interesting Information About Various Facets Of Theatre-Religion Relationship. The Author, Known For His Erudite Scholarship, Examines Minutely Various Evidences Including Ancient Cave Paintings, Folk And Tribal Rituals, Inscriptions, Religious Scriptures And Theatrical Forms Themselves. The Book Is Must For The Serious Students Of Indology And Indian Theatre.