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Synopsis There is a great dearth of literature on Indian fairs and festivals, except negligiable treatises in our vernaculars that too are mostly sectoral in treatment and very few standard books for English readers are now made available. Here for the first time in one compact volume reader is offered a ready-reference kind of book, conveniently organised so that the relevant materals can be easly retrieved from a single source book. In this handy volume, primarily the attention has been paid to all Pan-Indian festivals, but efforts been also made to cover every leading regional festivities alongwith select headings on vows, rituals, temples, centres of pilgrimage, holy cities, deities etc. The work caters not only to Hindu celebrations, but the festivities of the Buddhist, Jaina and Sikh religions emanated from this land and also Christian. Jewish and Zoroastrian festivals embraced by this secular country are included. Apart from festivals in vogue, we have tried to provide valuable vestiges of our past customs and traditions now relinquished with the time. We hope, this will be an ideal companion for all who wish to have a glimpse of Indian life through its colourful festivals, fairs, rituals, vows, customs, religious and seasonal celebrations. The materials for this book is culled from the writings of many learned authors, a select reference is provided at the end for further readings. The encyclopaedia is profusely illustrated containing numberous cross-references for readers convenience. There must be many lapses and omissions in such major project, but reader must accept that this is both a pioneer attempt and an individual endeavour.