• Wide-ranging topics include Hindu myths and legends, temple architecture, festivals, astrology, Ayurvedic medicine and contemporary Hinduism • Maps provide easy reference to major cities, regions, rivers, mountains and pilgrimage sites • List of principal dynasties and empires gives cultural, religious and historical background • Reference material includes Sanskrit equivalents of English-language subjects • Chronology places the main historical events and literary works • Specially researched illustrations, including works of art reproduced here for the first time, reveal the rich imagery of sculpture, architecture, painting, dance and theatre