South Indian Hindu Festivals and Traditions

by Maithily Jagannathan

The book on Hindu customs and traditions puts together everyday beliefs, practices, observances, and etiquette of living a life enriched by thousands of years of spiritual consciousness. Legend, history, philosophy, and folk-lore are intricately linked with customs and traditions. Hence the origin of festivals, and fasts is given through illustrations from the epics, Puranas, traditional folk-lore. These help to clarify prayers or fasts to deities, karmas or rituals associated with different stages of life, the physical and mental cleansing of a pilgrim after an arduous pilgrimage, and the magnetic force extended by shrines and temples on millions of devotees throughout the world.

A large number of the festivals and fasts relate to the South of India, hence many common practices have been given, with additional information on local practices and customs.

Additional features are traditional festive recipes, puja offerings of prasadam, slokas for special occasions, and rangoli designs.

The book will serve its purpose if younger generations, living at home or abroad, are able to nourish mental and psychological roots, and gain stature as individuals by living an enriched life. It is hoped that the book will help to arrange important family functions, and thus preserve social bonds."