The Religions of India

Indian Religions

India, known as the land of philosophy and spirituality, has been the birthplace of four major religions.  Hinduism is supposed to have developed there about 5000 years ago.  With over 80% of Indians practicing Hinduism, it is the most dominant religion in India today. This colorful religion has a plethora of gods and goddesses, each accompanied by stories, rituals, and celebrations. Buddhism and Jainism developed in India around 500 BC.  Although popular at the time, today Jainism is followed by only 0.5% of the people, and Buddhism is practiced by about 0.7%.  Sikhism, the fourth Indian religion, was established in the fifteenth century and is comparatively younger. 

Non Indian Religions

Besides these, several other non Indian religions are also practiced throughout the country. Islam, which was brought to southwestern India by Arab traders in the early eighth century, was made popular by the Mogul rulers in the north during the 16^th and 17^th centuries.  The second largest practiced religion in India today, its followers comprise 12% of India’s population.  Christianity is the third largest religion in India and has a following of about 19.6 million or 2% of the population. It traces its roots in India to apostolic times when Jesus’ disciple, Thomas, propagated it in southeastern India. Zoroastrians brought Zoroastrianism to India from Iran when they fled persecution.  They make up less than 0.01% of India’s population but have made a mark on India’s history and India’s economy. There are only a few thousand Jews in India today.  

Religion and the Average Indian

Religion plays an important role in the daily routine, education, and politics of the average Indian. Based on region and caste, and controlled by linguistic differences, it is interpreted differently in different areas of the country, giving rise to a varied range of rites, traditions, and folklore.  There is, however, a sharing of celebration and a mingling amongst all the communities during the many Indian religious festivals that are marked by rituals, dance, music, and feasting.  In spite of the numerous religious concepts ingrained in the very being of each Indian, India has chosen to define itself as a secular state.  The government officially remains detached from any one particular religion thus reinforcing India’s policy of religious tolerance.

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