Religions In India

Hinduism

Hinduism is supposed to be a very old religion and the traditions have come since long and it takes in to fold several traditions and systems and no one is able to fix the exact period as to when it started.   Various periods like different emperors ruling at different periods, had adopted different religions, and they have also contributed immensely for the Hindi religion’s growth.  Broadly speaking,  Hinduism has history to be looked back during the periods of Indus Valley Civilization before 2000 BCE, During the Vedic period which is 1500-500 BCE, also during the periods of various Epics, Puranas and Classical Ages, which relates to the period 500 BCE-500 CE.  There is also thought to relate the origin of Hinduism to the period 500CE-1500 CE which was the Medieval period, 1500-1757 CE which was the pre modern period, 1757-1947 CE the period of British Rule, and 1947 CE, the period after India’s Independence.

Beliefs

Hinduism mainly believes in various concepts.  Atman meaning the ETERNAL SELF is referred to be the soul or the spirit as is called in other religions depicting the truth of one’s own self and it is the one which determines our existence.  Different beliefs attribute to its principles and guidelines like the idea of reincarnation, soul leaving the body and merging with the God.  Virtue or morality refers to Dharma which is the basis for our living and the utmost power one has to uphold the universe and makes everything live and responsible for growth of living beings and causes the nature’s existence.  Brahmins were considered to be the most ideal followers of Varnashram which contain four classes called Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras.  Karma and Samskara are two great beliefs in Hindu religion meaning the real result one gets for his good or bad acts committed and the fate that ends up in one’s life based good and bad karma (deeds).

Hinduism has a staunch belief that there are three forces viz Brahma, who creates the living beings, Vishnu who protects them during their life span and Shiva who is considered to be the destroyer.  There are four Vedas in Hinduism which originated from the four heads of Brahma and Brahma is also believed to be the creator of Varnas (four castes) from four different parts of his body.  Lakshmi the Goddess is the companion of Lord Vishnu, so also Saraswati the consort of Lord Brahma and Parvati is the better half of Lord Shiva.  Lakshmi is one who brings wealth and is said to have emanated from the Amritha Kalasha, while churning the big Ocean of the divine world.

There are existence of several Sub Gods and Goddesses than the main three deities, Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh (Shiva), who are Ganesh, Subramanya, Anjaneya, Sun God, Rain God, Shakti, Kali and so on.  Thus, several days are considered to be sacred and holy in nature which has different stories behind such holy days and these are Diwali, Ganesh Chathurthi, Hanuman Jayanthi, Holi, Janmashtami, Makar Sankranti, Navratri, Raksha Bandhan, Ram Navami, and Swaminarayan Jayanti and so on.  Hindus have several rituals and methods for celebrating such rituals, which are associated with birth, death, marriages and house warming ceremonies, Children Baptism, Thread ceremony of male members, Anniversary ceremonies of deceased called Shraddha and so on.

The base for the Hinduism is considered to be Vedas viz Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva Vedas and Upanishads and also the preaching of Ramayana, Mahabharata and Bhagwat Gita.  These are the basic values of life that one has to learn on a regular basis to keep one’s life updated and pure.   Let apart Hindus also regular and daily poojas at Home and also visit Temples which are considered to be very auspicious and are believed to bring welfare to self and family and to the country at large.

Photo Gallery