A refreshing and scholarly work – a much needed response to what often feels like entrenched Hinduphobia in the academic world and media.
I attended its launch at Kings College London yesterday evening. Congratulations to the editors – the renowned Raymond Williams and Yogi Trivedi – an expectational and brilliant American born young Hindu scholar, who enthralled the audience with their insights into one of the fastest growing, influential and most globalised sects of Hinduism.
The book traces the origins and history of the Swaminarayan movement, it’s theology, influences on arts and architecture through to its transnational presence. The book does not shy away from the challenges that the faith faces, but unlike other works is not disparaging or condescending about the faith and its following.
