Religion in India

The population of India is around 1.4 billion which contributes a major part in the entire world’s population. These people belong to various religions and ethnicities.

India, being a secular country respects multiple religions including Hindu, Muslim, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, and many more. However, the population of Hindu followers is much more than any other.

Religion is one of the governing forces that rule Indian people because a major section of our population has faith in some or the other religion, especially Hinduism.

It is impossible to understand Indian culture without learning about its religion which has a large impact on people.

The religions of India have deep historical roots in the form of texts and epics. Indian people engage in some or the other sort of religious activities in daily life.

Hindu

There are no specific books or prophets for Hinduism, but the followers of Hinduism are more than the 80% of total population.

There are many gods in Hindu religion, but Brahma is believed to be the creator of this universe.

Vishnu is worshipped as the protector while Shiva is the lord of destruction, who destroys the world time and again for a fresh start.

Buddhism & Jainism

Buddhism started with the enlightenment of Siddhartha Gautama and spread throughout South Asia by third century B.C.

In the coming centuries, Buddhism divided into parts and gave rise to Jainism as well. Both, Buddhism and Jainism are believed to be branches of Hindu religion.

Islam

Islam spread in South Asia in the eighth century, and became the largest minority religion. India has the fourth largest Muslim population in the world after Indonesia, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

Sikhism

It started in Punjab in the sixteenth century and spread across India and the world. The spread of Sikhism took place in mid-nineteenth century. It has almost 16.3 followers all over the world, and represents 1.9 percent of Indian population.

Christianity

This religion is followed in western countries, but it also traces its history in India during the time of apostles. Judaism arrived in India with the traders.

Being home to a majority of religions, it seems that religious conflicts and hatred might be a regular problem. This is not the case because it is a secular state where everyone has equal rights and opportunities.