Sacred Textiles of India delves into the mystical associations of Indian textiles, from traditional Gujarat torans meant to welcome and guard the threshold to ikat weavings implying the ability to resist the world's illusionary temptations. One of the most foundational traditions in man's technical and creative evolution, textiles are embedded in South Asian philosophical concepts, myths, practices of worship and ceremonial rites of passage. Essays by prominent scholars explore the general significance of textiles as well as the more specific roles of cloth in particular geographic regions. Those mesmerized by the beauty of Indian fabrics will enjoy this study of the deeper conceptual importance of textiles and its beautiful accompanying images.