Various: Sacred Music of India (Silk Road/Ode)

Recorded at a 2000 festival in  Bangalore organised by the Dalai Lama's people (the good Dal writes the introduction in accompanying booklet which also reproduces his inspirational speech opening the eight day event) this 12 track disc takes a broad sweep through some of the styles of India's myriad sacred musics
It opens with vocal percussion, offers short ragas, some wonderful Rajasthani folk songs on sarangi, some Karantic music from a prolific swami known as "the cassette monk" for his 100+ recordings, Baul songs, Vedic chanting and much more.
This may well a hymn too far for most, but what doesn't enchant and entrance will be made sense of by the beautifully illustrated and informative liner notes.
And if we might indulge our less spiritual selves for a moment, it is also a package that would look very nice on your coffee table.

By the way, this is on the same "best practice" label as the Japanese punk-glam erotic trio 54 Nude Honeys. Just thought you'd like to know that.