Amazing Rituals of India

"A tribute to India's unique and colourful cultural richness, this one-of-a-kind curation brings together mainstream rural and urban customs as well as lesser-known ethnic traditions of India. From the intriguing wedding rites of the Nyishis of Arunachal Pradesh or the Roce ceremony of the Christians to the more well-known mourning practices on Muharram, and from the dazzling Lai Haraoba dance and music ceremonies of the Meitei tribe to the breathtaking gajan festival of rustic Bengal, where body piercing takes centre stage, this compendium has it all. While describing the rituals, this engaging and essential reference book also details the geographical and historical landscape of many. It also highlights the ethnological wealth of the subcontinent in terms of its metaphysical, material, cultural and occupational diversity. Amazing Rituals of India is, on the one hand, an accessible, engrossing read for the curious reader and, on the other, a diving board for students of anthropology, sociology and human geography. Combining both the essential and the exotic, this volume book can be a great source of ideas for writers, journalists and performing artists, and a handy reference for those working in governance."