India is a land of diversity and according to the constitution, it is referred to as a secular democratic republic due to the abundance of religions it holds. Secularism in India states equal treatment for all kinds of religions, as people are free to follow and display their beliefs in public and to wear whatever their beliefs indicate. Religion has vital importance in the heart of Indian people. They immerse themselves in the worship and rituals as it is part of their daily routine. The majority of the Indian population is identified as Hindus which is around 79% approximately. However, India is just not a place for Hinduism but it also possesses several religions like Islam, Buddhism, Sikhism, Christianity, Jainism, and Judaism, which are some of the major religions of India. The coexistence of these beliefs promotes a special atmosphere of conversation and understanding.
Hinduism
Hinduism is one of the most followed religions in India, with approx 80% of the population being Hindu. This religion continues to flourish in modern-day India. Hinduism is not generated from any text or teaching of a prophet. It came to the country in 2000 BC when the Aryans stayed in india. Now, Hinduism is referred to as the third-largest religion in the world. The great narratives Ramayana and The Mahabharata are the prime teachings that state the Hindu beliefs and teachings. Therefore, Hinduism’s origin lies in the Sanatana Dharma which is the “eternal law”.
Throughout the year, many Hindu festivities like Diwali, Holi, Dusshera, karvachauth, Raksha Bandhan, and so on are celebrated, with each festival holding a vital tale behind the celebration. For instance, Diwali is celebrated to mark the win of good over evil and the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya. Similarly, each celebration holds a prominent story.
Islam
Islam marked its beginning in India via Arab traders in the 17th century. Later, this religion was spread by Afghans and Mughals to the north side of India. As per the 2011 scenario and census executed by the Government of India, almost 14.2% of the total population contributes to the Islamic population. Despite holding a small portion of Muslims in India, India is still the third-largest Muslim country across the globe after Indonesia and Pakistan. Additionally, Kerala was the first state to hold the Muslim religion, and the first mosque was formed in 642 CE, in Kasagorod.
Sikhism
Almost 2% of the population in India contributes to Sikhism. The majority of the Sikh community is situated in the northwest region of the country, specifically Punjab. As per the research, there are 27 million Sikhs worldwide out of which 83% reside in India. However, the other 17% of this community has shifted to foreign countries like Canada and England.
One can easily identify a Sikh by their turbans and beards. Moreover, Guru Nanak Dev discovered this religion more than 500 years ago when conflicts between Hindus and Muslims were going on. The word “Sikh” indicates disciple in English which states that all the Sikhs are disciples of God and believe in their teachings. All the teaching of the Sikh religion is mentioned in their holy book “Guru Granth Sahib” which is a sacred text for all Sikhs.
Christianity
Christianity is not the largest religion in India, but it has been present since the time of Jesus. According to tradition, St. Thomas the Apostle brought Christianity to India. The Syrian Christian community in Kerala traces its origins to his visit, while the Roman Catholic Church was established later with St. Francis Xavier’s arrival in 1542. Today, Christians make up about 2% of India’s population.
Buddhism
Buddhism was founded in the 6th century BC by Siddhartha Gautama, a prince who left his royal life to seek enlightenment. After six years of meditation, he became known as the Buddha. His teachings emphasize following the “middle path,” which focuses on moral conduct and the importance of freeing oneself from the cycle of birth and death. Although Buddhism began in India and spread widely to regions like Sri Lanka, Tibet, and East Asia, it lost popularity in India by the 8th century as Hinduism regained influence.
Jainism
Jainism is one of the six major religions in India, with around 4 million followers, primarily in the western states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. Although they represent only about 1% of the population, Jains are often recognized as a wealthy trading community. The religion was founded by Vardhamana Mahavira, who was born into a royal family in what is now Bihar. At age 30, he renounced his privileged life to seek the meaning of existence and attained enlightenment at 42. Jainism emphasizes strict non-violence (ahimsa) toward all living beings. Jains often wear masks to avoid harming small creatures and follow a vegetarian diet.
Judaism
The earliest known connection between India and Judaism dates back to 973 BC when King Solomon’s merchants arrived on the Malabar coast in Kerala to trade spices and other goods. Jewish settlers are believed to have established a community in Cranganore after the Babylonian conquest of Judea in 586 BC.
