Brings together a series of essays - many recognized as classics in the field - that present Hinduism as a vibrant, truly 'lived' religion. Celebrating the diversity for which Hinduism is known, this volume begins its journey in the 'new India' of Bangalore, India's Silicon Valley, where global connections and local traditions rub shoulders daily.

List of Illustrations A Note on Transliteration Introduction PART I WORSHIP 1 The Experience: Approaching God 2 The Deity: The Image of God 3 The Miraculous: The Birth of a Shrine PART II THE LIFE CYCLE 4 Marriage: Women in India 5 Death beyond Death: The Ochre Robe PART III FESTIVAL 6 Divali: The Festival of Lights 7 Holi: The Feast of Love PART IV PERFORMANCE 8 An Open-Air Ramayana: Ramlila, the Audience Experience 9 A Ramayana on Air: "All in the (Raghu) Family," A Video Epic in Cultural Context 10 Possession by Durga: The Mother Who Possesses PART V GURUS 11 Anandamayi Ma: God Came as a Woman 12 Radhasoami: The Healing Offer PART VI CASTE 13 A Dalit Poet-Saint: Ravidas 14 A Brahmin Woman: Revenge Herself PART VII DIASPORA 15 Hinduism in Pittsburgh: Creating the South Indian "Hindu" Experience in the United States 16 A Diasporic Hindu Creed: Some Basic Features of Hinduism PART VIII IDENTITY 17 Militant Hinduism: Ayodhya and the Momentum of Hindu Nationalism 18 Tolerant Hinduism: Shared Ritual Spaces--Hindus and Muslims at the Shrine of Shahul Hamid 19 Hinduism for Hindus: Taking Back Hindu Studies 20 Hinduism with Others: Interlogue List of Contributors 301 Index 307

"Hawley and Narayanan have shaped the presentation of this volume in an elegant, graceful way; the framework is brilliant, original, and compelling. These articles are very accessible, informative, diverse, and complex in argumentation. The collection of readings, carefully sifted from the repertoire of books and articles over the past generation, brings together items that are factually accurate and just great reads in their own right."—Paul B. Courtright, co-editor, From the Margins of Hindu Marriage: Essays in Gender, Religion, and Culture