Learning about the Universe from Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation.

The Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation (CMBR) is a nearly isotropic radiation that carries information about the state of the Universe in its early phase and about different physical processes that occur at different times during the course of its evolution. The high degree of isotropy is a compelling evidence of the inflationary model of the Universe. The nature of specific features on the CMBR like the minute level of temperature anisotropy and polarization can narrow down the parameters which govern the evolution of the Universe. In these features the information about the initial conditions, evolution, geometry as well as the material content of the Universe is encoded. I have given in this review an overview of the physics involved in CMB studies and what it tells us about the Universe. I have also discussed the observations from 5-year data of WMAP and their implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]