ABSTRACT
The chapters in this book deal with religious processions, a phenomenon of great importance in South Asia and in the South Asian diasporas. South Asia distinguishes itself in terms of the number of religious processions that take place and their sizes. Processions are often cheerful religious occasions that bring people together to celebrate something. They are often characterized by a happy mood. The religious occasion, the unity of the group and its shared identity are reasons for being happy. But not all processions are celebrations: some are occasions of sorrow such as funeral processions, some are displays of power and strength, and they can display hierarchy, competition and conflict.
