"Encyclopedia of Hinduism" explores a religion that emerged from prehistory and lives today in astonishing variety. Offering approximately 700 A-to-Z entries, this accessible encyclopedia focuses on the most significant groups within this religion, noteworthy teachers and their contributions, the religions and cultural movements that enriched its history, and the diaspora of Hindu thought and practice around the world. Two major religious traditions that sprang from Hindu influence, Jainism and Sikhism, also have many related entries. Entries include: Ancestor worship, Ayodhya, Ayurveda, Benares, Bhagavad Gita, Brahman, Caste, Christian-Hindu relations, Divali, Durga, Ellora, Funeral rites, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, Hindu nationalism, Indus Valley Civilization, Kama Sutra, Meditation, Mirabai, R.K. Narayan, New moon/full moon ceremonies, Om, Puja, Reincarnation/rebirth, Sacred thread, Sadhu, Sikhism, Rabindranath Tagore, Theosophical Society, Untouchability, Vegetarianism, Vishnu, World Parliament of Religions, and more.