Major Religions Practiced in India

Hinduism

Hinduism is the third largest religion in the world and almost 15 percent of world population belongs to Hindu Religion. It is the largest religion that is practiced throughout India (Almost 80%). Ramayana and Mahabharata are the holy books of Hindus. Hinduism is considered as the oldest religion in the world. The origin of Hinduism was in India in between the Vedic Period, 2000 BC and 1500 BC. The word “Hindu” is derived from the historic Sanskrit name of Indus River called Sindhu. This river is located in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent. India is named after the Indus River from the 5th century. Bharat is the other name taken from Sanskrit for India. But it was in the 13th century, the name Hindustan emerged as a popular alternative name for the Indian subcontinent. Later it was again replaced by the name, India. The term Hinduism for Hindu religion are believed to be used somewhere from 14th century. The term Hinduism was mentioned in Sanskrit texts, Rajatarangini written in AD 1450. However the term is added to English language in the 19th century. Hinduism can be defined as the fusion of various Indian cultures with a set of religious beliefs and traditions. Idol fixing and worship of Deities is common in Hinduism. There is a general perception that Hindus believe in 33 crore deities symbolizing infinite forms of God. Hinduism is the major religion in India. Today Hinduism was followed by around 1 billion people in the world, which contributes 15 percent of world population. Some of the Countries which have majority followers for Hinduism include Nepal, India, Mauritius and Fiji.

Islam

It is the second-largest religion that is practiced throughout India (Almost 14%). Islam is a monotheistic and Abrahamic religion. The term ‘Islam’ is derived from Arabic word which means peace and submission. A person who believes Islam is called a Muslim. Muslims believe that God (Allah) is one and incomparable and the Islam is the entire and universal version of a primeval faith that was revealed early through Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus, whom they believe as prophets. But they maintain that the previous messages and revelation were partially misinterpreted and changed over time. So they consider Quran (Koran) as the unchanged and the last revelation of God, through the Prophet Muhammad. Quran is the central holy text of Islam. Quran is filled with sacred texts of God's mercy and blessings, punishment for sins, stories with messages and the daily living of people. "Salaam alaykum" is the universal Muslim greeting.

Islam is a major world religion, with around 1.6 billion followers worldwide contributing 23 percent of world population. They occupied the second place in world Population. Indonesia is the most Muslim Populated country (13% of World Muslim Population). Sunnis and Shias are the two groups of Muslim. 15% of entire Muslims are Arab. Sunni Muslims contributes about 85% of Muslims all over the world; While Shia contributes the remaining Muslims.

Islam Calendar: Hijri calendar is used by the Muslims. It is a lunar calendar which contains 12 months in a year of 354 or 355 days. The Islamic year started in AD 622 during which the emigration of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina, known as the Hijra, occurred. Muharram is the first Month whereas Dhu al-Hijjah is the last month of Islamic year. AH (Anno Hegirae) is the calendar designation for the Muslim religion. The first day of the Islam year (1 Muharram, 1 AH) is started in a new moon day, which is 15 July 622 AD evening according to Gregorian Calendar.

Beliefs: The basic beliefs of Muslims includes, Faith in the unity of God, Faith in angels, Faith in prophets, Faith in books of revelation, Faith in an afterlife, Faith in destiny/divine decree.

The "five pillars" of Islam which strengthen a Muslim's faith and obedience include Testimony of faith (Shahaadah or Kalima), Prayer (Salat), Almsgiving (Zakat), Fasting (Sawm) and Pilgrimage (Hajj).

Christianity

Christianity is the major religion group in the world. Almost 33 percent of world population belongs to Christianity (2.2 billion Christians). It is the third-largest religion that is practiced throughout India (Almost 2.3%). Roman Catholic Christians are more in Brazil. The founder of Christianity, Jesus Christ was born in BC 4 in Bethlehem. The holy book of Christians is Bible. The different societies of Christian religion include Catholic, Orthodox, Protestants and Anglican societies. Mar Papa is the head of Catholic Sabha and Vatican is the location of Mar Papa. It was in 2013 March, the 266th pop was elected and it was Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio Francis I. Jorge Mario was born in Argentina. Judaism was one among the oldest religion of world. Hebrew is the liturgical language of Judaism. Torah is the holy book of Jews. Synagogue is the temple of Jews. Most of the Jewish people are located in Israel and America is second in Jewish Population. Christianity and Judaism are likely the most similar. They both believe in the Old Testament of Bible.

The origin of Christianity was in Levant region (current countries of Jordan, Cyprus, Lebanon, Israel, Syria and Palestine) of the Middle East. Jesus Christ was the founder of Christianity. Christianity began as a Jewish sect in the middle of 1st century. It quickly spread to the regions of Mesopotamia, Asia Minor, and Egypt in the first century itself. But it grew bigger when the Roman Empire accepted the religion. Theodosius I replaced the religion they practiced and proclaimed Christianity as the sole religion of the Roman Empire in 380 AD. In the Middle Age, most of the regions of Europe are Christianized and later it entered in the Middle East, North Africa, Ethiopia and parts of India. It was in 16th Century, Christianity spread in America due to colonization and missionary work of Europeans. Also colonization of Europeans in Australasia, sub-Saharan Africa and the rest of the world helped Christianity to spread across the world. Christianity played an important role in shaping of Western civilization.

Sikhism

Sikhism is the fourth largest religion that is practiced, contributing 1.7% of the total population of India. The Sikhs are mostly located in Punjab. Gurudwara is the worship place of Sikhs.

Guru Nanak Dev was the founder of Sikhism and also the first Sikh Guru. It was founded in Punjab region in the late 15th century. After the death of Guru Nanak in 1539, the Sikh tradition was consequently led by a succession of nine other Gurus. All the ten sikh gurus believed that they are inhabited by a single spirit. Upon the death of the Guru Gobind Singh, who was the tenth sikh guru the spirit of the eternal Guru passed the Guruship of the Sikhs to the sacred scripture ‘Guru Granth Sahib’. Guru Granth Sahib is the holy book of Sikhism and also the sole guru of Sikhism.

Buddhism

Buddhism is the fifth-largest religion that is practiced throughout India. Hinayana and Mahayana are the major sects of Buddhism. Mahayana worships the bodhisattvas and follows the Mahayana sutras. The Hinayana follows the original teachings of Buddha. The name of temple of Buddha Religion is Pagoda. The Noble Eightfold Path otherwise called as Ashtanga Marga is the early summary of the path of Buddhist practices. Jataka Tales are the stories of the previous births of Gautama Buddha in both human and animal form. Gautama Buddha founded Buddhism.

Buddha is also known as Siddhartha Gautama. He was born in a small kingdom in the Lumbini forest of Nepal in BC 563. He belongs to the Shakya clan, so he is also called in the name of Shakyamuni. The incident that Siddhartha Gautama left his palace and led a sannyasa life is known as ‘Mahaparithyaga’. Gautama Buddha attained supreme Enlightenment under Banyan tree in Bodh Gaya (Bihar).

The first teaching of the Buddha about the four noble truths to his five disciples was held at Deer Park in Sarnath (UP). Edwin Arnold, an English poet wrote about Buddha in his epic poem “The Light of Asia”. Magadhi Prakrit, is supposed to be the language spoken by the Buddha. Six Buddhist councils are held and it was during the Fourth Buddhist Council, Buddhism split into Hinayana and Mahayana. The Triple Gem (Three Jewels) of Buddhism is Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. Viharas are the houses of Buddhist monks and the buddha temples are called as Pagodas. Tripitaka are the sacred texts for followers of Buddhism. Buddha died in Kushinagar in BC 483. The final departure of Buddha is called 'Mahaparinirvana’.

Jainism

Jainism is one among the four religions originated in India and is the sixth-largest religion that is practiced throughout India. Jaina dharma gives the message of non-violence towards all living beings. The founder of Jainism is Vardhamana Mahavira. He was born in Vaishali in BC 540. Tirthankara is the saviour and spiritual teacher of dharma. The meaning of tirthankara is a human being who achieved the enlightenment and helps others achieve the same. Jina is the other name of tirthankara that means “a great teacher who has attained liberation from karma”. The Rishabha is the first tirthankara of Jainism. The twenty third tirthankara is Parshwanath and the 24th tirthankara is Vardhamana Mahavira (last tirthankara). Mahavira attained intense meditation and achieved enlightenment at the age of 42. Jamali is the first disciple of Mahavira. Jainism split into two as Svetambara and Digambara during the first Jain Council. Mahavira attained nirvana after his death at the age of 72.

The aim of Jain life is to attain liberation of the soul. There are five self control principles in Jainism and they are Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya and Aparigraha. The Triple Gems of Jainism is the right vision (Samyak Darshana), knowledge (Gyana) and conduct (Charitra).

Zoroastrianism

Parsis or Parsees are ethno religious group who migrated to India during the Muslim conquest of Persia. Parsi language emerged in Ancient Iran. Their religion is known as Zoroastrianism. Zend Avesta is the holy script of Parsi and their worship places are Fire Temples. As of 2001 census, Parsis in India accounts about 0.006% of the total population of the country, where most of them are in the city of Mumbai.