The Origin of Hinduism  It is virtually impossible to date the origin of Hinduism.  It is believed to have originated somewhere between 3200 BC and 2500 BC.  But some say that Hinduism consists of "thousands of different religious groups that have evolved in India since 1500 BCE."

HINDUS  The word Hindu came from the word Sindhu which meant those who lived on the other side of the Indus river. (Persians called Indus as Sindhu).  Later on the Persians pronounced Sindhu as Hindus, and all people living on the side of the river Sindhu were called by them as Hindus.  The Religion was named after the region it originated.. (

INDIAN CIVILIZATION  The Indus Valley Civilization which spread and flourished in the northwestern part of the Indian Sub-continent from 3300 to 1300 BCE, was the first major civilization in India. A sophisticated and technologically advanced urban culture developed in the Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro period, from 2600 to 1900 BCE  This civilization declined around 1500 B.C., probably due to ecological changes.

SINDHU  INDIA  The word India came from the Greeks as they could not pronounce the word Sindhu (River), they pronounced the word Sindhu as Indos.  When Alexander invaded India, the Macedonian army referred to the river as Indus and the land east to the river as India.  Greek writers who wrote about Alexander prepared to use the same name.

INDIAN & HINDUS  In the 4th and 5th centuries A.D., northern India was unified under the Gupta Dynasty. During this period, known as India's Golden Age, Hindu culture and political administration reached new heights.  Names- Hindu and Indian are derived from the same word - the name of the river (Indus) Sindhu.  (  Hinduism-Its Historical Development: by Troy Wilson Organ, Published by Barron’s Educational Series, Inc. Woodbury, New York, 1974

“HINDU”-THE DEFINITION: By definition, a Hindu is an individual who accepts as authoritative, the religious guidance of the Vedic scriptures, and who strives to live in accordance with Dharma, God's divine laws as revealed in the Vedic scriptures. Thus, an Indian who rejects the Veda is obviously not a Hindu. While an American, Russian, Indonesian or Indian who does accept the Veda obviously is a Hindu. (

“HINDUISM- UNIQUENESS :  Hinduism differs from Christianity and other monotheistic religions. Hinduism does not have:  a single founder,  a specific theological system,  a single concept of deity, )

: HINDUISM- UNIQUENESS  a single holy text,  a single system of morality,  a central religious authority,  the concept of a prophet.  Hinduism is not a religion in the same sense as Christianity is; it is more like an all-encompassing way of life -much as Native American spirituality is. Hinduism is also called Sanatana Dharma, means eternal religion or laws.

“HINDUISM-AN OVERVIEW: (Sizes shown are approximate estimates, and are here mainly for the purpose of ordering the groups, not providing a definitive number. This list is sociological/statistical in perspective.)

A SHORT HISTORY:INDIA  Almost 4,000 years India was considered as one of the richest, best educated, and most scientifically advanced and most profound religious people on the planet.  There was trade and Migrations to Egypt form 1400 BCE.  Alexander the great when came to India, was fascinated by the Hindu holy men.  Roman empire during the time of Augustus through Hadrian, had massive trade relations with India …

A SHORT HISTORY:INDIA  Hindu Philosophers were teaching Philosophy in Rome by the 3rd century CE.  In the Medieval times, the Arabs praised the Hindus as the world’s leading astronomers, mathematicians and philosophers.  When the British conquered Indian in the 17th century, they made off with much of India’s riches, leaving the country bankrupt when they finally granted it independence in 1947.

HINDU-SYMBOLS:  A variety of Hindu symbols are used in art, sacred objects and rituals. They usually signify Hindu concepts, the attributes of deities, or the Gods or Goddesses themselves. This section explains the history, meaning and use of some common Hindu symbols.

HINDU-SYMBOLS: Om (also spelled Aum) is a Hindu sacred sound that is considered the greatest of all “mantras”. The syllable Om is composed of the three sounds a-u-m (in Sanskrit, the vowels a and u combine to become o) and the symbol's threefold nature is central to its meaning. It represent several important triads:

HINDU-SYMBOLS: the three worlds - earth, atmosphere and heaven. the three major Hindu gods - Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva. the three sacred Vedic scriptures - Rg, Yajur, and Sama Vedas. Thus Om mystically embodies the essence of the entire universe.

HINDU-SYMBOLS: The trihsula (also spelled trishul or trisula, Sanskrit for "three spear") is a trident spear that is the emblem of the god Shiva. The weapon symbolizes empire and the irresistible force of transcendental reality. The three prongs of the trishula represent Shiva's three aspects of: creator, preserver and destroyer. It also depicts the three shaktis (powers): will, action and wisdom. (

HINDU-SYMBOLS: The swastika is an ancient symbol that has been found worldwide, but it is especially common in India. Its name comes from the Sanskrit word svasti (sv = well; asti = is), meaning good fortune, luck and well-being. Or (Sanskrit svastika, "all is well").

HINDU-SYMBOLS: The Tilak (Sanskrit tilaka, “mark”) is a mark made on a Hindu's forehead. On a man, the tilak takes the form of a line or lines and usually indicates his sectarian affiliation. On women, a tilak usually takes the form of a bindi dot, which has its own symbolism.

HINDU-SYMBOLS: Bindi is a dot worn on women's foreheads. It is a form of the tilak, a symbolic mark worn by many Hindu men and women, but has less religious connotations than other tilaks. Traditionally, the bindi is worn on the forehead of married Hindu women. It symbolizes female energy and is believed to protect women and their husbands. Bindis are traditionally a simple mark made with the paste of colored sandalwood, sindoor or turmeric.

HINDU-SYMBOLS: The linga or lingam (Sanskrit for "symbol") is the symbol of the god Shiva and the form in which he is most commonly worshipped. The phallic symbol is the main object of worship in Shaivite temples and homes throughout India and the world. The linga is a simple stylized phallus that nearly always rests on pedestal of a stylized yoni, or female sex organ. Together, the linga and yoni represent the power of creative energy and fertility.

HINDU-SYMBOLS: The Saffron Color: If there is any color that can symbolize all aspects of Hinduism, it's saffron - the color of Agni or fire, which reflects the Supreme Being. As such, the fire altar is regarded as a distinct symbol of ancient Vedic rites. The saffron color, also auspicious to the Sikhs, the Buddhists and the Jains, seems to have obtained religious significance much before these religions came into being.

HINDU-SYMBOLS: References: ( - ( 1."linga." Encyclopedia Britannica (2007). Encyclopedia Britannica Online. 2.John Bowker, ed., Oxford Concise Dictionary of World Religions (2000). 1."Om." Encyclopedia Britannica (2007). Encyclopedia Britannica Online. 2.Nitin Kumar, "Om." Exotic India Arts 1."tilak." Encyclopedia Britannica (2007). Encyclopedia Britannica Online. 2.The Complete Idiot's Guide to Hinduism 1.John Bowker, ed., Oxford Concise Dictionary of World Religions (2000). 2."swastika." Encyclopedia Britannica (2007). Encyclopedia Britannica Online. 3.Swastika - Wikipedia (January 2007