TY - BOOK AU - Crooke,William TI - The Popular Religion and Folk-Lore of Northern India, Vol. 1 (of 2) AV - BL PY - 2013/// CY - Salt Lake City, UT PB - Project Gutenberg KW - Religion KW - Folklore -- India KW - India -- Religion KW - Hindu mythology KW - Ancestor worship -- India KW - Animal worship -- India KW - Tree worship -- India N1 - Release date is 2013-09-10; Produced by Jeroen Hellingman and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.); Original publication data not identified N2 - "The Popular Religion and Folk-Lore of Northern India, Vol. 1 (of 2)" by W. Crooke is a historical account written in the late 19th century. This work aims to explore the rich tapestry of popular beliefs and practices within the rural communities of Northern India, diverging from the more established and official doctrines of Hinduism. Crooke addresses the importance of understanding these folk traditions and how they contribute to a broader comprehension of Hindu religious beliefs, especially as they risk becoming absorbed into more formalized religious structures. The opening of the book sets the stage for a detailed exploration of the various godlings associated with nature, outlining the fundamental aspects of popular Hinduism that are often overlooked. In this introduction, Crooke reflects on the syncretic nature of Hindu worship, highlighting how ancient practices have evolved over time and integrated influences from various tribal and local traditions. He discusses the distinctions between the supreme deities, who are venerated by the higher classes, and the lesser godlings or "devatâ," worshipped by ordinary villagers, illustrating the complexities and layers of belief that characterize the folk religion of Northern India. (This is an automatically generated summary.) UR - https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/43681 ER -