Hinduism

Origins

Ancient religion of the Indian subcontinent; roots trace back to the Vedic period (~1500 BCE).

Core Texts

Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Puranas.

Main Deities

Brahma (creator), Vishnu (preserver), Shiva (destroyer), Devi (goddess), Ganesha, Krishna, Rama.

Core Beliefs

Dharma (duty), Karma (action and consequences), Samsara (reincarnation), Moksha (liberation).

Key Concepts

Atman (soul), Brahman (universal spirit), Ahimsa (non-violence), Yoga (spiritual discipline).

Major Sects

Vaishnavism, Shaivism, Shaktism, Smartism.

Rituals & Practices

Puja (worship), meditation, recitation of mantras, pilgrimage (e.g., Kumbh Mela, Varanasi).

Festivals

Diwali, Holi, Navaratri, Raksha Bandhan, Janmashtami.

Sacred Symbols

Om (ॐ), Lotus, Swastika, Cow (sacred animal).

Sacred Sites

Varanasi, Rameswaram, Dwarka, Tirupati, Ganges River.