HINDUISM
 Hinduism
constitutes the majority in India. Hinduism can be described
as the 'museum' of religions. No other religious tradition
is so eclectic, so diversified in its theoretical premises
as well as its practical expression. Hinduism can be called
as Sanatana Dharma or the religion Perenis. As the name implies
ananta (without a beginning), it is eternal and ever-lasting
(Shashvata). It is the only major religion which has not been
traced to a specific founder and the only one which does not
have a holy book as the one and only scriptural authority.
Hinduism always absorbs anything that is good and valuable
and at the same time, it shares its wisdom with whomever earnestly
seeks it. Its doors are open to all.
Hinduism does not attempt at conversion. It is against any
forceful conversion or inflictions on the non-believers.
Its faith is that all men are born, children of Sanatana
Dharma. Once people become aware of this inheritance and
follow its universal principles, there is no need for any
further conversion. Even the most uncompromising atheist
finds a place in Sanatana Dharma and his philosophy and
way of life are duly noticed and his arguments heard with
all patience. This arises from the belief that even such
a person may one day realise his fundamental values of life
and become a follower of Dharma.
Religious scripts like the Vedas, the Upanishads and the
Puranas enlighten one about Hinduism. However, there is
no single text which can sum up its philosophy. The Vedas
are hymns praising different Gods. While the Upanishads
are discourses between a guru (spiritual guide) and a shishya
(disciple), stressing upon the unity of the God, the concept
of atma (soul), life after death and karma, emphasises on
the fact that happiness in this life has been achieved due
to good deeds performed in the previous one. In Hinduism,
the ultimate goal is 'Moksha'; the liberation from the cycle
of existence. There are many paths leading to this goal.
Until moksha is attained, all human beings are subject to
rebirth. The conditions of life in each birth are determined
by the cumulative results of the karma (deeds) performed
in previous life.
One can believe in either Shiva, Brahma, Vishnu or the Planets
or the Rain God, or heroes based on the epics, all of them
or none of them. Thus Hinduism is more of a way of life,
rather than a religion. Its tolerance and flexibility has
helped to preserve its sanctity under successive invasions
and to embrace alien beliefs. The main divine principle
of Hinduism is that God is one, but his avatars or incarnations
are many. Hinduism is not pessimistic. It has always exhorted
men to realize the four Purusharthas or values of Life,
namely Dharma (righteousness) Artha (wealth) Kama (desire)
and Moksha (liberation). Only it has insisted that wealth
and enjoyment should be based on Dharma and aim at Moksha.
Hinduism states three paths to self realization - knowledge,
devotion (bhakti) and work (karma). In the olden times,
Hindus were split into four castes, which were based on
division of labour. The castes were as follows priests (Brahmins),
soldiers (the Kshatriyas), traders (Vaishyas) & the
unskilled labourers (Shudras). These however have faded
with time and are not in practice in the modern age. Similarly,
four stages of life have been defined ideally for a Hindu
- first is a student and bachelor (brahmacharya), then is
the householder (grihsthya), meditator in the forest (vanaprastha)
& finally the sanyas i.e. the renunciation of material
life for a spiritual one.
 There
are numerous gods and goddesses worshipped by Hindus all over
India. Among these, the most fundamental to Hinduism, is the
trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva - creator, preserver and
destroyer respectively. Brahma has four heads corresponding
to the four directions of the compass. He is the creator of
life and the entire universe. Vishnu is the preserver who
guides the cycle of birth and rebirth. He is also supposed
to have taken many incarnations to save the world from evil
forces. Both Rama and Krishna are believed to have been incarnations
of Vishnu. Shiva, usually seen with a coiled cobra around
his neck, destroys all evil and also has many incarnations,
not all of which are terrifying.
Not all of these Gods are worshipped by all Hindus, with
some Hindus worshipping specific Gods or Goddesses, and
some of these have predominance in some regions. The invisible
deities are represented by a complexity of images and idols
symbolizing divine powers. Many of these idols are housed
within ornate temples of unparalleled beauty and grandeur.
The Hindu gods are very much alive and live in temples,
snow-capped peaks, in rivers and oceans and in the very
hearts and minds of the Hindus.
FESTIVALS
Holi: - The colorful festival of Holi
is celebrated on Phalgun Purnima which comes in February
end or early March. Holi festival has an ancient origin
and celebrates the triumph of 'good' over 'bad'. The colorful
festival bridges the social gap and renews sweet relationships.
On this day, people hug and wish each other 'Happy Holi'.
Holi celebration begins with lighting up of bonfire on the
Holi eve. Numerous legends & stories associated with
Holi celebration makes the festival more exuberant and vivid.
Holi also gives a wonderful chance to send blessings and
love to dear ones wrapped in a special Holi gift. On Holi
Festival, people are suddenly caught unawares with colours
being poured from a top of the houses, bursting balloons
or long pistons squirting coloured water. People in small
groups are seen singing, dancing and throwing colours on
each other.
Diwali: - Diwali in India is celebrated
with jubilation and enthusiasm. It is a festival of lights
symbolizing the victory of righteousness and the lifting
of spiritual darkness. It celebrates the victory of good
over evil - and the glory of light. This festival commemorates
Lord Rama's return to his kingdom Ayodhya after completing
his 14-year exile. It is one of the biggest festival of
Hindus and is celebrated for five continuous days. Third
day is the main day of Diwali and is celebrated as the 'Festival
of Lights'. To mark this day people light diyas and candles
all around their house. During the evening Lakshmi Puja
is performed to seek divine blessings of Goddess of Wealth.
People also exchange Diwali Gifts with all their dear ones
and burst fire crackers in the night to express their happiness.
According to Hindu calendar, Diwali falls on the 15th day
of the dark fortnight of the auspicious Hindu month of Kartik
(October/November). It comes on the no moon day or Amavasya.
Ram Navami: - The birth anniversary of
Lord Rama is celebrated in the month of Chaitra, which usually
falls in March or April according to the Hindu calendar
is known as Ramnavami. Ramnavami is dedicated to the memory
of Lord Rama. It occurs on the ninth day (navami). The festival
commemorates the birth of Rama who is remembered for his
prosperous and righteous reign. Ramrajya (the reign of Rama)
has become synonymous with a period of peace and prosperity.
It is celebrated with great devotion across the nation and
every region has its own regional significance behind the
celebration. The public worship starts with morning ablutions,
chanting Vedic mantras dedicated to Vishnu, and offering
flowers and fruit to the god. People keep a fast throughout
the day, breaking it only at midnight with fruit.
Naag Panchami: - Naag Panchami or festival
of snakes is a unique festival dedicated to honour the Serpent
God or Naag Devta. Falling on the fifth day of Shravan in
July/August, reverence for the cobra (snakes) are paid.
One of the oldest and auspicious festivals, women fast on
this day. Also, women draw pictures and images of snakes
on walls of their houses with a mixture of cowdung, milk
and black powder. Offerings of milk, ghee, sweets, water
and rice are also made at the sites of snake holes. Devotees
consider themselves lucky if snakes drink offered milks.
Naag panchami is observed and celebrated in different ways
in various parts of India.
Navaratri: - Navratri is one of the holy
festivals of Hinduism. It is a festival of nine nights,
during which we worship goddess of Shakti. When the supreme
Being begins to manifest its cosmic energy, it is variously
known as Sakti, Devi or Divine Mother, who assumes many
forms according to the tasks to be preformed by her. She
is also known as Durga, Lakshmi or Sarawati in her destructive,
protective, and knowledge giving roles respectively. These
three aspects of the Divine Mother are worshipped during
Devi Navaratri puja, the nine nights. Navaratri festival
is observed twice a year, once in the month of Chaitra and
then in Aswayuja. It lasts for nine days in honour of the
nine manifestations of Durga. During Navaratri (the word
literally means "nine nights") devotees of Durga
observe a fast. Brahmins are fed and prayers are offered
for the protection of health and property. Every night people
gather in courtyards to dance the Dandiya Raas, a community
dance in which men and women dressed in festive clothes
dancing in pairs with Dandiya or painted wooden sticks.
Maha Shivratri: - Maha Shivaratri is celebrated
on the 6th night of the dark Phalgun (Feb or March) every
year. On the auspicious day, devotees observe fast and keep
vigil all night. Maha Shivaratri marks the night when Lord
Shiva performed the 'Tandava'. It is also believed that
on this day Lord Shiva was married to Parvati Ma. On this
day, People observe a strict fast on this day. Some devotees
do not even take a drop of water and they keep vigil all
night. The Shiva Lingam is worshipped throughout the night
by washing it every three hours with milk, curd, honey,
rose water, etc., whilst the chanting of the Mantra "Om
Namah Shivaya" continues. Offerings of Bael leaves
are made to the Lingam as Bael leaves are considered very
sacred and it is said that Goddess Lakshmi resides in them.
Nightlong vigil or jaagran is also observed in Shiva temples
where large number of devotees spends the night singing
hymns and devotional songs in praise of Lord Shiva. It is
only on the following morning that devotee break their fast
by partaking prasad offered to the deity.
Janmashtami:- Janmashtami, the birth of
Lord Krishna is celebrated with great devotion in the August/September
months, on the Ashtami of Krishna Paksh or the 8th day of
the dark fortnight in the month of Bhadon, in the whole
of north India. Temples and homes are beautifully decorated
and lit. Attractive features of the celebrations are cribs
& other decorations depicting stories of Lord Krishna's
childhood. There are five main "jhankis" of Janmashtami
which depict the entire sequence of events from Lord Krishna's
birth to his being discovered in Gokul. Fasting, bhajans,
pujas and many other rituals mark Janmashtami celebrations
in India.
Ganesh Chaturathi: - Ganesh Chaturathi
is a day of worship of Lord Ganesha or Ganapati. Ganesha
or Ganapati is an extremely popular God in India. He is
called Vighneshvara or Vighnahartaa, the Lord of and destroyer
of obstacles. People mostly worship Him asking for siddhi,
success in undertakings, and buddhi, intelligence. He is
worshipped before any venture is started. Ladoos are distributed
on Ganesh chaturathi - by tradition ladoos were placed in
different corners of the house and eaten before the meal.
Milk is offered to idols of lord Ganesha at home and at
temples, and Ganesh puja is performed at all temples and
hi-house prayer rooms. Hindus pray to images of Lord Ganesha,
large and small, many of them made specially for the occasion
by cottage industries and street side artisans, and those
that do not wish to keep the idols alive by daily prayers,
offerings and lighting oil lamps, immerse them in the nearest
water body.
Dusshera: - The festival of Dussehra,
also known as "Vijayadashmi" is one of the fascinating
festivals of India and is celebrated with joy and enthusiasm
for ten continuous days. Dussehra literally means the tenth
day. It marks the end of the nine days of Navratri. The
first nine nights are spent in the worship of goddess Durga
and hence these nights are known as Navaratri. This festival
falls in the month of Ashwin (Sep - Oct). The 'Ramleela',
a folk play, retelling the story of the life of Rama, is
enacted for the nine days of Navratri ending on Dussera,
the day Rama slays Ravana. Songs are sung in praise of Rama
and people in thousands witness this traditional theatre
with its exaggerated costumes, jewelry, makeup and drama.
Huge effigies of Ravana, brother Kumbhakarna and son Meghnath
are traditionally erected and then burnt down at dusk as
a symbol of the victory of Good over Evil. In modern times
it calls for efforts to destroy the demon of our ego, and
radiate peace and love.
Durga Puja: - The Durga puja, a national
festival of the Hindus takes place in the month of Ashwin
or Kartik i.e. months of September and October according
to the English calendar year. The spirit of excited festivity
is omnipresent throughout Durga Puja throughout India, specifically
West Bengal. The festivities start with the first day called
Mahalaya. It is also the day of the beginning of the countdown
to the Durga Puja, which is celebrated in most households
apart from the gaily-decorated puja mandaps that are erected
in almost every locality. It is a common belief that Ma
Lakshmi brings peace and prosperity to the households that
celebrate the puja. Singing, dancing, sweets & gaiety
are an integral part of the Durga Pooja Festival. People
send Durga Puja Gifts to dear ones and express good wishes.
HINDUISM PILGRIMAGE
SITES
Haridwar, Uttar Pradesh: - Haridwar is
considered as the gateway to the four pilgrimages in the
Uttrakhand region, The Ganga leaves the mountains and enters
the plains with Hardwar being the first major town on the
plains. Though the Ganges does not lose its rapids completely
nevertheless it becomes very quite and calm here. The water
is clean and people prefer taking bath on the numerous ghats
built on the river shores. It is said that taking bath here
purifies the soul and opens the way for the ultimate freedom,
Nirvana. Down the ages Hardwar has purified the mind, the
body and the soul. Not only in spiritual or religious terms
Hardwar has come up as a major learning center for arts,
science and culture. This place has maintained the Gurukul
tradition of teaching. Haridwar has since ages been a source
of Ayurvedic medicines and has been providing herbal remedies.
Hardwar one of the first towns to be developed on Ganges
is still lush and green with forest and trees. Associated
with both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, Haridwar is among
the seven sacred cities of India. It is also one of the
four venues for the Kumbh Mela, held in its magnitude every
twelve years.
Vaishno Devi, Jammu and Kashmir: - The
shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi is one of the most visited pilgrim
sites in India. Situated at a height of 5, 300 ft., the
site is located inside a cave in a hill. One of the most
visited pilgrim sites in India, the shrine of Mata Vaishno
Devi is located in a cave, amidst the folds of the Trikuta
Bhagwati hill at a height of 5, 300 ft., in the state of
Jammu and Kashmir (J & K). The Vaishno Devi Yatra begins
at Katra. The distance from here to the Darbar is 13 km
and should be covered by foot. On the way, at a distance
of 1 km from Katra is Banganga where Mata drew out water
by piercing an arrow into the ground. 6 km away lies the
holy cave at Adhkawari. The holy Shrine of Mata Vaishno
Devi Ji is unique as it contains the holiest of holy Pindis
manifesting Mata in her three forms which are Maha Kali,
Maha Lakshmi and Maha Saraswati.
Rishikesh, Uttar Pradesh: - Located on
the banks of the holy Ganges, Rishikesh is a popular religious
destination in India. Rishikesh has a number of ashrams
and temples that make it an ideal destination for a religious
tourist. But Rishikesh is an equally wonderful destination
for an adventure traveler. Rishikesh is surrounded by the
verdant forest and river Ganges flow through the town. Rishikesh
provides wonderful opportunity for trekking, rock climbing
and river rafting. Rishikesh is located in the state of
Uttaranchal and is about 230 kilometres from Delhi. Triveni
Ghat is a popular place in Rishikesh. Many people take a
dip at the ghat before visiting temples in Rishikesh. Lakshman
Jhula is an important landmark in Rishikesh. Lakshman Jhula
is basically a hanging bridge on the Ganges and the most
popular spot in Rishikesh.
Tirupati Balaji, Andhra Pradesh: - The
ancient and sacred temple of Sri Venkateswara is located
on the seventh peak, Venkatachala (Venkata Hill) of the
Tirupati Hill, and lies on the southern banks of Sri Swami
Pushkarini. It is by the Lord's presidency over Venkatachala,
that He has received the appellation, Venkateswara (Lord
of the Venkata Hill). He is also called the Lord of the
Seven Hills. The temple of Sri Venkateswara has acquired
unique sanctity in Indian religious lore. The Sastras, Puranas,
Sthala Mahatyams and Alwar hymns unequivocally declare that,
in the Kali Yuga, one can attain mukti, only by worshipping
Venkata Nayaka or Sri Venkateswara. Known as the richest
temple in the world, it is a vibrant cultural and philanthropic
institution with a grand history.
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh: - The holy city
of Varanasi, known as the city of temples and learning,
is a place of great historical and cultural importance.
This religious capital of India is situated on the banks
of the holy river Ganges and is presided over by Lord Shiva.
It is the heart of India and an epitome of the synthesis
of cultures, religions and races. The river-front of the
city is decorated by hundreds of well built ghats which
is a unique feature. The holy Buddhist place, Sarnath is
in its precincts. Varanasi is the premiere most place of
oriental learning. The city is reputed for silk fabrics,
perfumes, artistic brass and copper wares and a variety
of handicrafts. It is an important centre of literature,
art and culture. This vibrant city of joy knowledge and
liberation has a magnetic attraction for people all over
the world.
Madurai, Tamil Nadu: - Madurai or "the
city of nectar" is the oldest and second largest city
of Tamil Nadu. Madurai is synonymous with the celebrated
Meenakshi Temple. Situated on the banks of river Vaigai,
Madurai has a rich cultural heritage passed on from the
great Tamil era more than 2500 years old. Madurai was an
important cultural and commercial centre even as early as
550 AD. It was the capital city for the great Pandya kings.
The Pandyan king, Kulasekhara had built a gorgeous temple
around which he created a lotus shaped city. It has been
a center of learning and pilgrimage, for centuries. Madurai
is famous for Jasmine Flowers.
Mathura, Uttar Pradesh: - Mathura is an
important place of pilgrimage. The city stretches along
the Right Bank of the Yamuna and the continuous line of
ghats (riverbanks) along the river makes a splendid spectacle
when viewed from the opposite bank. These picturesque ghats
are of great architectural, cultural and ritual interest,
for devotees from far and wide. With their steps leading
to the water's edge, arched gateways and temple spires they
emphasize the sacred character of the town. The City of
Mathura, in Uttar Pradesh, the nucleus of Brajbhoomi, is
located at a distance of 145 km south-east of Delhi and
58 km north-west of Agra.
Pushkar, Rajasthan: - The small and beautiful
town of Pushkar is set in a valley just about 14 km off
Ajmer in the north Indian state of Rajasthan. Surrounded
by hills on three sides and sand dunes on the other, Pushkar
forms a fascinating location and a befitting backdrop for
the annual religious and cattle fair which is globally famous
and attracts thousands of visitors from all parts of the
world. The biggest cattle fair falls in the month of Kartik.
It commences two days before the full moon of the month
and ends a day after it. Men and women congregate from all
over Rajasthan and other nearby places with their horses,
camels and cattle to buy and sell. In addition to its commercial
importance, the fair is also a window to the cultural richness
of Rajasthan. Days before it begins, tradesmen, craftsmen,
troupes of dancers and singers, all gather here.
Puri, Orissa: - Puri is the holiest place
in Orissa and one of the biggest pilgrimage centres in India
situated on the shoreline of the Bay of Bengal. Here, the
city's activities generally revolve around the Jagannath
Temple where devotees visit from far and near. The town
is divided into two - the old town the main residential
area, including the main shops and huge market area. Most
nights, the beaches host colorful markets and the city is
abuzz with life. Puri is washed by the sea, and embraced
by causarina - fringed beaches. It is said that one obtains
'moksha' from the cycle of birth and rebirth, if one stays
here for three days and nights. One of the four holy dhams
of Hinduism, Puri is possibly one of the very few religious
sites which combines the outdoor pleasures of sea and divine
beaches with the religious sentiments of 'darshan'. Moreover,
the scenic spots all over this small town with the beaches
that offer breathtaking view of sunrise and sunset and the
traditional methods of fishing used by the local fishermen
are some of the other aspects for which Puri has always
attracted the attention of the people.
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