Hinduism Resources

General Resources
Reference Works | WWW Resources

Reference Works

Brockman, Norbert C. Encyclopedia of Sacred Places. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, 1997.
Davis Reference BL580 .B76

This is a wonderful text, providing the location, history, and present usage of religious sites. Each location is plotted on a regional map; also included are appendices of sites listed by religious tradition and country, sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List of Cultural Sites, a glossary, and a bibliography. Among the sites related to Hinduism are Angkor Wat, Changu Marayan Temple, Ellora Caves, Emei Shan, Erawan Shrine, Gunung Agung, Janakpur, Meenakshi Temple, Mt. Kailas, Pashupatinath, Varanasi, Krishna Shrines, and Orissa Triangle.

Chopra, P.N., ed. Encyclopedia of India. New Delhi: Rima Publishing House, 1992.
Davis Reference DS405 .E53 1992

This illustrated encyclopedia is arranged by geographic region, with all states and territories of India included. It includes information on the physical characteristics of the region, culture, history, religion, and places of interest. This is an excellent resource for finding information on India and Hinduism in one volume.

Coogan, Michael D., ed. Illustrated Guide to World Religion. New York: Oxford University Press, 1998.
Davis Reference BL80.2 .I434

This lavishly illustrated work examines Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Chinese and Japanese traditions. It follows the progression of faith, literature, and art from the religion's first days to modernity. Prominently featured are photographs of religious places, maps of scared places, and images of sculpture and paintings. A chronology of significant events accompanies the chapter on Hinduism, along with a bibliography and glossary.

Parrinder, Geoffrey. Dictionary of Non-Christian Religion. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1971.
Davis Reference BL31 .P36

This dictionary gives brief explanations of philosophical concepts, historical events and people, deities, beliefs, and religious practices. A bibliography provides sources for further information.

Robinson, Francis ed. Cambridge Encyclopedia of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1989.
Davis Reference DS334.9 .C36

This encyclopedia examines elements of Hinduism in the context of Indian life. It examines such topics as history, politics, culture, and religion. There is an index to maps and tables, as well as a subject index.

Schuhmacher, Stephen ed. Encyclopedia of Eastern Philosophy and Religion. Boston: Shambhala, 1994.
Davis Reference BL1005 .L4813

This work is focused towards those unfamiliar with the concepts and terminology presented in the study of Eastern philosophy and religion.

Walker, Benjamin. The Hindu World: An Encyclopedic Survey of Hinduism. New York: Praeger, 1968.
Davis Reference BL1105 .W34

Many reference books treat selected elements of Hinduism; this is the first to cover the whole field of Hinduism, examining it in a series of wonderfully in-depth entries. Despite it's age, there is no parallel to this work. It includes varied entries such as the caste system, child marriage, dharma, idolatry, logic, paradise, prostitution, Rama, sculpture, Siva, soul, time, travel, veda, and more.

Young, Serinity, ed. Encyclopedia of Women and World Religion. New York: Macmillan Reference USA, 1999.
Davis Reference BL458 .E53

This work examines the role of women in Hindu India under the "Hinduism" entry, beginning with female goddesses and progressing into conditions in British India. Some specific entries include Draupadi, Radha, and Sita.

Return to top

WWW Resources

About.com
http://hinduism.about.com/religion/hinduism/

This is a collection of links examining various aspects of Hinduism, including art, culture, basic religious background; it also provides a glossary of Sanskrit terms.

Return to top


Home | General Resources | Mythology | Primary Texts | Art and Culture

Please contact Suchi Mohanty with any questions or concerns.
Last Updated: Sunday, March 18, 2001.