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HINDUISIM
About 900 million persons or 14 percent of the world's population follow Hinduism. It is world's 4th largest religion in the world after Christianity, Islam, and Atheism.
Within Hinduism a large number of personalities, or 'forms', are worshipped as murtis. These beings are either aspects of the supreme Brahman, Avatars of the supreme being, or significantly powerful entities known as devas. In total, there are 330,000,000 of these supernatural beings in various Hindu traditions...Hindus actually only believe in one God, Brahman, the eternal origin who is the cause and foundation of all existence. The gods of the Hindu faith represent different forms of Brahman. These gods are sent to help people find the universal God (Brahman).Most Hindus have a personal god or godess such as Shiva, Krishna or Lakshmi to whom they pray regularly.
Hinduism is the oldest religion of all world religions, thus there is no specific founder. even the authors of it's sacred texts are widely unknown. In other words, there is no single founder of Hinduism and it existed from time unexplored, as a religion. It is beleived to have been a philosiphy that has evolved throughout the many years.
The Vedas and the Upanishads are the two wholy books
Hinduism is based on philosophy and thought. Hindus believe in reincarnation, the passing of the soul from one body to another, having one life because of the action from another life. When all of the karmas (the sins or past actions) are payed off and the the soul has reached God realization it will be enlightened and merged with God.
The swastika is a symbol of peace, or to bring good fortune, however it also has a variety of religious meanings as well. The right hand signifies the sun, where the left hand represents the goddess Kali, of night and magic. Some Aryan-Indian Hindus may also believe it to be a sign of racial purity and superiority, which is why the Nazi Party used this symbol.
Hinduisim originated in India, the map below shows how it spread and the routes primarily used for its spreading.
Not many significant events revolve specifically around the Hindu religion seeing as there is no acknowledged founder. However some events that have shaped its culture today are the first compilations of the Vedas in 1200 BCE. Another major event is in 800 BCE, the 11 major Upanishads were written, which include ideas of reincarnation and karma. Following this, in 500 BCE, many devotional movements were made dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu and Devi.
Brahmins are the highest members of the priestly caste of Hinduism. They are the sole keepers of the Vedas and performers of the rituals of Hindus. They attain their status by knowledge of sacred texts and rituals.
Allahabad A holy city and pilgrimage site at the confluence of three sacred rivers. One of the four sites of the Kumbh Mela. Badrinath The most important of the four Char Dham pilgrimage destinations, featuring a brightly painted temple. Char Dham Pilgrimage A pilgrimage circuit in the Indian Himalayas that encompasses Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. Elephanta Caves Seventh-century cave temples dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, just a short ferry ride from Mumbai. Includes a famous sculpture of a three-headed Shiva.
By Hilal Dib, Neil Chandiramani, Daniel Rivenbark and Maddie Storvold
