India Tourism >> Culture of India >> Indian Religions
Religious Faiths in India
Overview
From last 4000 years, there were regular foreign invasions on India. Most of these invadors settled here itself, and there was a continious process of give and take between masses and their changing rulers. There was regular change in the rituals and principles of the religions owing to changing socio-political scenario. The Brahamanical dominance of the society led to the foundation of different religions such as Buddhism and Jainism where entry was irrespective of castes. Breif information about important religious sects of India is provided below.
Hinduism (Religion of the Majority in India)
Hinduism is the most elaborate religion of the world, with vast literature and countless number of gods and goddesses. The basic principle of the Hinduism is aroung trinity of Gods. Lord Brahma is considered as creator of the Universe, Lord Vishnu as preserver, and Shiva the destroyer. Destruction is considered necessary to keep alive the process of creation. The rituals are different in all parts of the country. Goddesses are cosidered as source of Power and occupies important place in Hindu religion. Most important festivals celebrated by majority of Indian population are Diwali (the festival of light), Holi (the festival of colors), Navratra (nine nights celebration for Nine incarnation of goddess Durga, popular in Gujrat and Rajasthan), Durga Puja (Nine nights celebration in west Bengal and Orissa). However, everyday in India there is one or the other festival celebrated by different sects of People.
Take part in colorful festivals of India during your travel, contact our tour planner for more details on festivals in India.
Buddhism (Religion founded by Lord Buddha)
With the coming of settled agricultural economy, the orthodox rituals of the Brahamins were questioned which demanded slaughter of large number of cattle which were now required for various agriculture activities. Also the caste system, where lower castes people could never attain respectable position in their life, created a vaccum and that was filled by lord Buddha by his secular religious sect known as Buddhism. Many great rulers such as Ashoka the great, Kanishka etc have offered their patronage to newly founded religion, and also made active efforts to spread its principles to other countries specially south east Asia. Buddhism could not survive muslim invasion and became limited to extreme north and North eastern parts of India. Now Buddhism is majority religion in many east Asian countries such as Japan, China and South east Asian countries.
Other Religious beliefs (Islam, Jainism, Christian)
Another important religion in India is Islam, which was brought into country by Muslim invadors, which ruled the country during medieval period. About 15% of India's populaation believes in Muslim religion. Jama Masjid of New Delhi is the largest mosque, and center of muslim religious activities in India.
Jainism is ancient religion which was made much popular by lord Mahavira, who was contemporary of lord Buddha the founder of Buddhism. Due to its extremee emphasis on non violence, Jainism could not find its place among masses and it became religion of mainly wealthy business community. Also unlike Buddhism Jainism could not spread outside India. There are many beautiful Jain temples in Rajasthan and Gujrat region, constructed mainly by trader community. Ranakpur Jain Temple near Udaipur is most important for tourists.
Christianity in India was brought by Missionaries around 15Th century and made active efforts to spread their beliefs among the masses. Christianity is minority religion in India with their presence in almost every part. There are many beautiful catholic churches at Goa, which were constructed by Portugese colonisers.
From last 4000 years, there were regular foreign invasions on India. Most of these invadors settled here itself, and there was a continious process of give and take between masses and their changing rulers. There was regular change in the rituals and principles of the religions owing to changing socio-political scenario. The Brahamanical dominance of the society led to the foundation of different religions such as Buddhism and Jainism where entry was irrespective of castes. Breif information about important religious sects of India is provided below.Hinduism (Religion of the Majority in India)
Hinduism is the most elaborate religion of the world, with vast literature and countless number of gods and goddesses. The basic principle of the Hinduism is aroung trinity of Gods. Lord Brahma is considered as creator of the Universe, Lord Vishnu as preserver, and Shiva the destroyer. Destruction is considered necessary to keep alive the process of creation. The rituals are different in all parts of the country. Goddesses are cosidered as source of Power and occupies important place in Hindu religion. Most important festivals celebrated by majority of Indian population are Diwali (the festival of light), Holi (the festival of colors), Navratra (nine nights celebration for Nine incarnation of goddess Durga, popular in Gujrat and Rajasthan), Durga Puja (Nine nights celebration in west Bengal and Orissa). However, everyday in India there is one or the other festival celebrated by different sects of People.
Take part in colorful festivals of India during your travel, contact our tour planner for more details on festivals in India.
Buddhism (Religion founded by Lord Buddha)
With the coming of settled agricultural economy, the orthodox rituals of the Brahamins were questioned which demanded slaughter of large number of cattle which were now required for various agriculture activities. Also the caste system, where lower castes people could never attain respectable position in their life, created a vaccum and that was filled by lord Buddha by his secular religious sect known as Buddhism. Many great rulers such as Ashoka the great, Kanishka etc have offered their patronage to newly founded religion, and also made active efforts to spread its principles to other countries specially south east Asia. Buddhism could not survive muslim invasion and became limited to extreme north and North eastern parts of India. Now Buddhism is majority religion in many east Asian countries such as Japan, China and South east Asian countries.
Other Religious beliefs (Islam, Jainism, Christian)
Another important religion in India is Islam, which was brought into country by Muslim invadors, which ruled the country during medieval period. About 15% of India's populaation believes in Muslim religion. Jama Masjid of New Delhi is the largest mosque, and center of muslim religious activities in India.
Jainism is ancient religion which was made much popular by lord Mahavira, who was contemporary of lord Buddha the founder of Buddhism. Due to its extremee emphasis on non violence, Jainism could not find its place among masses and it became religion of mainly wealthy business community. Also unlike Buddhism Jainism could not spread outside India. There are many beautiful Jain temples in Rajasthan and Gujrat region, constructed mainly by trader community. Ranakpur Jain Temple near Udaipur is most important for tourists.
Christianity in India was brought by Missionaries around 15Th century and made active efforts to spread their beliefs among the masses. Christianity is minority religion in India with their presence in almost every part. There are many beautiful catholic churches at Goa, which were constructed by Portugese colonisers.