Interesting Facts about Hinduism

Hinduism is the third largest religion in the world, as well as the world's oldest religion Countries where most of the Hindu population is concentrated are India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

It is India's major religion, but unlike many other religions in the world, Hinduism has no founder. It is believed that Hinduism originated in Northern India, and in India today, more than 80% of the population are followers.

Word Hinduism is derived from the river Sindhu which was pronounced by Persians as Hindu, The region of the Indus valley is called Hindustan, and thus the religion of the Indus valley is called Hinduism.

Goal of life: To attain self-realization All beings have a soul, advanced souls take bodies with higher abilities like that of humans. All souls evolve up the ladder

Hinduism believes in one god, then why are there so many gods Hinduism believes in one god, then why are there so many gods? Hinduism believes in one god many forms. People chose the form through which they wanted to seek god, thus there are so many gods ( Shiva, Krishna, Rama, Durga, Kali are among the most worshiped forms of god)

One of the most ancient scriptures in the world is taken by 4 Vedas from Hinduism belief. All of the Hindus people belief about them. They always remind the Vedas in their heart and mind.

Hindus believe in Karma, which are a person's deeds Hindus believe in Karma, which are a person's deeds. They believe that a person's actions will determine their fate, both in their current life and in the next.

Hindus believe in Reincarnation Hindus believe in Reincarnation. They believe the soul is immortal and the body is mortal, and when a person dies their soul will be reborn into another body until that soul eventually achieves salvation and the cycle of death and rebirth ends.

In Hinduism salvation is called Moksha or Nirvana In Hinduism salvation is called Moksha or Nirvana. A person is able to achieve salvation when their soul becomes one with God.

Hindus are guided in their daily lives by the Vedas scriptures, which were used to develop the Hindu system of worship and beliefs.

Most Hindus observe religious rituals at home Most Hindus observe religious rituals at home. The nature and place of rituals is an individual's choice. Devout Hindus perform daily rituals such as worshiping at dawn after bathing (usually at a family shrine, and typically includes lighting a lamp and offering foodstuffs before the images of deities), singing devotional hymns, yoga, meditation, chanting mantras and others

Vedic rituals of fire-oblation and chanting of Vedic hymns are observed on special occasions, such as a Hindu wedding. Other major life-stage events, such as rituals after death.

A Hindu temple is a house of god(s) A Hindu temple is a house of god(s). It is a space and structure designed to bring human beings and gods together, infused with symbolism to express the ideas and beliefs of Hinduism

Varanasi is the oldest city of India and also considered as the most holy of the places

There are three sects in Hinduism: Shaiva, Vaishnava and shakti There are three sects in Hinduism: Shaiva, Vaishnava and shakti. But they are not definite sects, person of one sect may follow the philosophy of the other sect

Knowledge is transferred from enlightened guru to disciple

Yoga, Pranayama, Meditation, , Tantra, Astrology are the main contributions of Hindu system to the modern world

Buddhism, Jainism, Sikkhism originated from Hinduism, all these religions share lots of common philosophies

Important Hindu festivals include Diwali (festival of lights), Vijayadashami (victory of good over evil), Gudhipadawa (Hindu New Year), Navratri (nine day worship of Mother Goddess), Ram navami (Lord Rama's birthday), and Ganesh Festival (Festival of Lord Ganesha).