An Indian Muslim couple weds on the bank of Karnataka's Tungabhadra River. Behind them, a Hindu man takes his ritual bath.

Religion is integral to Indian life; shown are roadside Hindu and Christian shrines in Jammu and Kashmir.

Religion in India ranks among the world's most ancient and varied. The Indian subcontinent spawned the Dharmic religions, which compose one of the world's three major schools of religion. Vedic religion gave rise to what is now the oldest extant and third-largest religion, Hinduism; almost 900 million of its one billion adherents live in the Republic of India.^[1] The other major Dharmic religions, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, each have millions of Indian followers. The Abrahamic religions of Islam and Christianity, spread by missionary activity and conquest over many centuries, are the two largest non-native religions. Image File history File linksMetadata Muslim_wedding_in_India. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Muslim_wedding_in_India. ... , Karnātakā   (Kannada: ಕನಾ೯ಟಕ) (IPA: ) is one of the four southern states of India. ... The Tungabhadra is a river of southern India. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1080x720, 110 KB) Credit: Baba Steve source: http://www. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1080x720, 110 KB) Credit: Baba Steve source: http://www. ... This article is about the area controlled by India. ... Map of South Asia (see note) This article deals with the geophysical region in Asia. ... The image above is proposed for deletion. ... This article discusses the historical religious practices in the Vedic time period; see Dharmic religions for details of contemporary religious practices. ... Major religious groups as a percentage of the world population in 2005. ... Hinduism (known as in modern Indian languages[1]) is a religious tradition[2] that originated in the Indian subcontinent. ... A silhouette of a Buddha statue at Ayutthaya, Thailand. ... Jain and Jaina redirect here. ... Sikhism (IPA: or ; Punjabi: , , IPA: ) is a religion that began in fifteenth century Northern India with the teachings of Nanak and nine successive human gurus. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... For people named Islam, see Islam (name). ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations · Other religions Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury · Catholic Pope Coptic Pope · Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box:      Christianity is...

More than four-fifths of Indians practice Hinduism. Islam, practised by around one-sixth of the population, is the most prevalent minority religion. Christianity and Sikhism are each practised by around 2% of Indians.^[2] About 1.1% practise Buddhism and 0.4% practise Jainism. Zoroastrianism and Judaism have a centuries-long history in India; each has several thousand Indian adherents. Zoroastrianism is the religion and philosophy based on the teachings ascribed to the prophet Zoroaster (Zarathustra, Zartosht). ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

More than nine-tenths of Indians state that religion plays a key role in their lives.^[3] Though inter-religious marriages are generally taboo^{[citation needed]}, Indians are generally tolerant of other religions and retain a secular outlook. Inter-community clashes have never found widespread support in the social mainstream, and it is generally perceived that its causes are political rather than ideological in nature. India's religious diversity extends to the highest levels of government; the Prime Minister of India is a Sikh, the President of India is a Hindu, and the chairperson of the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) is a Christian. The Constitution of India declares the nation to be a secular republic that must uphold the right of citizens to freely worship and propagate any religion or faith.^[4][5] The Prime Minister of India is, in practice, the most powerful person in the Government of India. ... The President of India (Hindi: Rashtrapati) is the head of state and first citizen of India and the Supreme Commander of the Indian armed forces. ... United Progressive Alliance (UPA) is the present ruling coalition of political parties in India. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Indian Secularism refers to the secularism as practiced by the Government of India. ...

History

See also: Religious thinkers of India

Human figures and prehistoric animals as portrayed by the bruised-rock artwork at the Bhimbetka shelters.

Evidence attesting to prehistoric religion in the Indian subcontinent derives from scattered Mesolithic rock paintings depicting dances and rituals. Neolithic pastoralists inhabiting the Indus River Valley buried their dead in a manner suggestive of spiritual practices that incorporated notions of an afterlife and belief in magic.^[6] Other South Asian Stone Age sites, such as the Bhimbetka rock shelters in central Madhya Pradesh and the Kupgal petroglyphs of eastern Karnataka, contain rock art portraying religious rites and evidence of possible ritualised music.^[7] India has been home to a large number of religious thinkers and spiritualists. ... Image File history File links Bhimbetka rock paintng. ... Image File history File links Bhimbetka rock paintng. ... // The term Neolithic religion summarily refers to hypotheses concerning religious behaviour of the peoples of the Neolithic period and technology, especially in the Levant and Europe. ... The Mesolithic (Greek mesos=middle and lithos=stone or the Middle Stone Age[1]) was a period in the development of human technology between the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods of the Stone Age. ... An array of Neolithic artifacts, including bracelets, axe heads, chisels, and polishing tools. ... The Indus River (Urdu: Sindh; Sindhi: Sindhu; Sanskrit and Hindi: सिन्धु ; Persian: حندو ; Pashto: ّآباسنFather of Rivers; Tibetan: Lion River; Chinese: Yìndù; Greek: Ινδός Indos) is the longest and most important river in Pakistan and one of the most important rivers on the Indian subcontinent and has given the country India its... The Palaeolithic and Mesolithic in South Asia. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... , Madhya Pradesh (abbreviated as MP)   (HindÄ«: मध्य प्रदेश, English: , IPA: ), often called the Heart of India, is a state in central India. ... The Kupgal petroglyphs are works of rock art found at Kupgal in Bellary district of Karnataka, India. ...

The Harappan people of the Indus Valley Civilisation, which lasted from 3300–1700 BCE and was centered around the Indus and Ghaggar-Hakra river valleys, may have worshiped an important mother goddess symbolising fertility.^[8] Excavations of Indus Valley Civilisation sites show seals with animals and "fire‑altars", indicating rituals associated with fire. A linga-yoni of a type similar to that which is now worshiped by Hindus has also been found. Location of Harappa in the Indus Valley. ... The Indus Valley Civilization existed along the Indus River and the Vedic Sarasvati River in present-day Pakistan. ... The Indus River (Urdu: Sindh; Sindhi: Sindhu; Sanskrit and Hindi: सिन्धु ; Persian: حندو ; Pashto: ّآباسنFather of Rivers; Tibetan: Lion River; Chinese: Yìndù; Greek: Ινδός Indos) is the longest and most important river in Pakistan and one of the most important rivers on the Indian subcontinent and has given the country India its... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... A Cucuteni culture statuette, 4th millennium BC. A mother goddess is a goddess, often portrayed as the Earth Mother, who serves as a general fertility deity, the bountiful embodiment of the earth. ... Linga worship (Estate of Cynthia and Harlen Welsh) Lingam or Linga is the Sanskrit word for mark. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ...

Indus Valley Civilisation "Priest King" statue from Mohenjo-daro, circa 2500 BCE.

Hinduism's origins include cultural elements of the Indus Valley Civilisation, the Vedic religion of the Indo-Aryans, and other Indian civilisations. The oldest surviving text of Hinduism is the Rigveda, produced during the Vedic period and dated to 1700–1100 BCE.^γ[›][9] During the Epic and Puranic periods, the earliest versions of the epic poems Ramayana and Mahabharata were written roughly from 500–100 BCE,^[10] although these were orally transmitted for centuries prior to this period.^[11] Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (584x754, 75 KB) als „Priesterkönig“ gedeutete Steinfigur der Indus-Kultur aus Mohenjo-daro (Pakistan) Quelle: [1] Fotograf: Mamoon Mengal File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Indus... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (584x754, 75 KB) als „Priesterkönig“ gedeutete Steinfigur der Indus-Kultur aus Mohenjo-daro (Pakistan) Quelle: [1] Fotograf: Mamoon Mengal File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Indus... The Indus Valley Civilization existed along the Indus River and the Vedic Sarasvati River in present-day Pakistan. ... Mohenjo-daro (literally, mound of the dead), like Harappa, was a city of the Indus Valley civilization. ... This article discusses the historical religious practices in the Vedic time period; see Dharmic religions for details of contemporary religious practices. ... Ä€rya is a Sanskrit (आर्य) and Avestan word used by Hindus, Jains, Zoroastrians, and Buddhists. ... The Rigveda (Sanskrit , a compound of praise, verse[1] and knowledge) is an ancient Indian collection of Vedic Sanskrit hymns dedicated to the gods. ... The Vedic period (or Vedic Age) is the period in the history of India when the sacred Vedic Sanskrit texts such as the Vedas were composed. ... The Puranas are part of Hindu Smriti; these religious scriptures discuss devotion and mythology. ... For the television series by Ramanand Sagar, see Ramayan (TV series). ... For the film by Peter Brook, see The Mahabharata (1989 film). ...

After 200 CE, several schools of thought were formally codified in Indian philosophy, including Samkhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Purva-Mimamsa and Vedanta.^[12] Hinduism, otherwise a highly theistic religion, hosted atheistic schools; the thoroughly materialistic and anti-religious philosophical Carvaka school that originated in India around the 6th century BCE is probably the most explicitly atheistic school of Indian philosophy. Carvaka is classified as a nastika ("heterodox") system; it is not included among the six schools of Hinduism generally regarded as orthodox. It is noteworthy as evidence of a materialistic movement within Hinduism.^[13] Our understanding of Carvaka philosophy is fragmentary, based largely on criticism of the ideas by other schools, and it is no longer a living tradition.^[14] Other Indian philosophies generally regarded as atheistic include Classical Samkhya and Purva Mimamsa. The term Indian philosophy may refer to any of several traditions of philosophical thought, including: Hindu philosophy Buddhist philosophy Jain philosophy Sikh philosophy Carvaka atheist philosophy Lokayata materialist philosophy Tantric religious philosophy Bhakti religious philosophy Sufi religious philosophy Ahmadi religious philosophy Political and military philosophy such as that of Chanakya... Samkhya, also Sankhya, (Sanskrit: सांख्य, IAST: Sāṃkhya - Enumeration) is one of the six schools of classical Indian philosophy. ... For other uses, see Yoga (disambiguation). ... (Sanskrit ni-āyá, literally recursion, used in the sense of syllogism, inference)) is the name given to one of the six orthodox or astika schools of Hindu philosophy—specifically the school of logic. ... Vaisheshika, also Vaisesika, (Sanskrit: वैशॆषिक)is one of the six Hindu schools of philosophy (orthodox Vedic systems) of India. ... The main objective of the Purva (earlier) Mimamsa school was to establish the authority of the Vedas. ... This article includes a list of works cited but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ... Atheism (Sanskrit: , lit. ... In philosophy, materialism is that form of physicalism which holds that the only thing that can truly be said to exist is matter; that fundamentally, all things are composed of material and all phenomena are the result of material interactions; that matter is the only substance. ... Carvaka (also spelled Charvaka, Sanskrit ) is a system of Indian philosophy that assumed various forms of philosophical skepticism and religious indifference. ... Nastika is a Sanskrit term meaning: It is the antonym of astika, or one who asserts. ... Samkhya, also Sankhya, (Sanskrit: सांख्य, IAST: Sāṃkhya - Enumeration) is one of the six schools of classical Indian philosophy. ... The main objective of the Purva (earlier) Mimamsa school was to establish the authority of the Vedas. ...

Buddhism and Jainism adapted elements of Hinduism into their beliefs. Jainism's founder, Mahavira (599–527 BC, though possibly 549–477 BC), stressed five vows, including ahimsa (non-violence) and asteya (non-stealing). The historical Gautama Buddha, who founded Buddhism, was born to the Shakya clan just before Magadha (which lasted from 546–324 BCE) rose to power. His family was native to the plains of Lumbini, in what is now southern Nepal. The Sakyas claimed to be avatars of Vishnu. Indian Buddhism peaked during the reign of Asoka the Great of the Mauryan Empire, who patronised Buddhist teachings and unified the Indian subcontinent in the 3rd century BCE. He sent missionaries abroad, allowing Buddhism to spread across Asia.^[15] Indian Buddhism declined following the loss of royal patronage offered by the Kushan Empire and such kingdoms as Magadha and Kosala. Idol of Lord Mahavira at Shri Mahaveerji (the holy town in Rajasthan named after Mahavira. ... Ahimsa (Devanagari: ; IAST ) is a Sanskrit term meaning non-violence (literally: the avoidance of violence - himsa). ... Asteya is a Sanskrit word meaning avoidance of stealing or non-stealing. In Jainism, it is one of the five vows that all sravakas and shravikas as well as sadhus and sadhvis must take. ... Image:StandngBuddha. ... Śākya (Sanskrit) or Sakya (Pāli) is the name (derived from Sanskrit Å›akya, capable, able) of an Indo-Aryan-speaking nation or janapada of the (the so-called warrior caste). The Śākyas formed independent tribes or kingdoms near the foothills of the Himālayas. ... Magadha was an ancient kingdom of India, mentioned in both the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. ... Lumbini (Sanskrit for the lovely) is a Buddhist pilgrimage site located in Rupandehi District, Lumbini Zone of Nepal near the Indian border. ... Vishnu (IAST , Devanagari ), (honorific: Sri Vishnu) also known as Narayana is the Supreme Being or Ultimate Reality for Vaishnavas and a manifestation of Brahman in the Advaita or Smarta traditions. ... A fresco from the Ajanta caves in Maharashtra, India, once a gathering places for Buddhist monks. ... This article is about Ashoka, the emperor. ... The Mauryan empire (321 to 185 BCE), at its largest extent around 230 BCE. The Lion Capital of Asoka, erected around 250 BCE. It is the emblem of India. ... For other uses, see Dharma (disambiguation). ... A fresco from the Ajanta caves in Maharashtra, India, once a gathering places for Buddhist monks. ... Boundary of the Kushan empire, c. ... Magadha was an ancient kingdom of India, mentioned in both the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. ... Kosala was an ancient Indian Aryan kingdom, corresponding roughly in area with the region of Oudh. ...

The Jama Masjid in Delhi is one of the world's largest mosques.

Between 400 BCE and 1000 CE, Hinduism expanded as the decline of Buddhism in India continued.^[16] Buddhism subsequently became effectively extinct in India. Though Islam came to India in the early 7th century with the advent of Arab traders, it started to become a major religion during the Muslim conquest in the Indian subcontinent. Islam's spread in India mostly took place under the Delhi Sultanate (1206–1526) and the Mughal Empire, greatly aided by the mystic Sufi tradition. Although historical evidence suggests the presence of Christianity in India since the first century, it became popular following European colonisation and Protestant missionary efforts. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1523x1247, 1368 KB) Jama Masjid the largest mosque in India. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1523x1247, 1368 KB) Jama Masjid the largest mosque in India. ... The Masjid-i-Jahan Numa The Masjid-i-Jahan Numa مسجد جھان نمہ, commonly known as Jama Masjid of Delhi is the principal mosque of Old Delhi in India. ... For other uses, see Delhi (disambiguation). ... The Decline of Buddhism in India, in the land of its birth occurred for a variety of reasons, and happened even as it continued to flourish beyond the frontiers of India. ... The Muslim conquest in the Indian subcontinent mainly took place from the 13th to the 16th centuries, though earlier Muslim conquests made limited inroads into the region, beginning during the period of the ascendancy of the Rajput Kingdoms in North India, from the 7th century onwards. ... The Delhi Sultanate (دلی سلطنت), or Sulthanath-e-Hind (سلطنتِ ہند) / Sulthanath-e-Dilli (سلطنتِ دلی) refers to the various Muslim dynasties that ruled in India from 1210 to 1526. ... Flag Mughal Empire at its greatest extent in 1700 Capital Agra, Delhi Language(s) Persian (initially also Chagatai; later also Urdu) Government Monarchy List of Mughal emperors  - 1526-1530 Babur  - 1530–1539 and after restoration 1555–1556 Humayun  - 1556–1605 Akbar  - 1605–1627 Jahangir  - 1628–1658 Shah Jahan  - 1659–1707... Sufism is a mystic tradition within Islam which encompasses a diverse range of beliefs and practices dedicated to divine love and the cultivation of the heart. ... European settlements in India (1501-1739). ... This is an incomplete list, which may never be able to satisfy certain standards for completeness. ...

Communalism has played a key role in shaping the religious history of modern India. British India was partitioned along religious lines into two states—the Muslim-majority Dominion of Pakistan (comprising what is now the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the People's Republic of Bangladesh) and the Hindu-majority Union of India (later the Republic of India). The 1947 Partition of India inaugurated rioting among Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs in Punjab, Bengal, Delhi, and other parts of India; 500,000 died as a result of the violence. The twelve million refugees that moved between the newly founded nations of India and Pakistan composed one of the largest mass migrations in modern history.^Δ[›][17] Since its independence, India has periodically witnessed large-scale violence sparked by underlying tensions between sections of its majority Hindu and minority Muslim communities. The Republic of India is secular; though it is often considered a Hindu holy land (punyabhumi), its government recognises no official religion. In recent decades, communal tensions and religion-based politics have become more prominent.^[18] Anthem God Save The Queen/King British India, circa 1860 Capital Calcutta (1858-1912), New Delhi (1912-1947) Language(s) Hindi, Urdu, English and many others Government Monarchy Emperor of India  - 1877-1901 Victoria  - 1901-1910 Edward VII  - 1910-1936 George V  - January-December 1936 Edward VIII  - 1936-1947 George... This article is under construction. ... The Dominion of Pakistan was an entity that was established as a result of partition from India as a homeland for the Muslims in August 1947. ... On August 15, 1947, India became an independent Dominion within the British Commonwealth. ... This article is under construction. ...

Demographics

Main article: Major religions in India

Venkateswara devotees gather at the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, the world's richest Hindu temple and, after the Vatican, the second-most visited religious center.

Hinduism is the largest religion in India; its 828 million adherents compose 80.4% of the population. The term Hindu, originally a geographical description, derives from the Sanskrit, Sindhu, (the historical appellation for the Indus River), and refers to a person from the land of the river Sindhu. Islam is a monotheistic religion centred around the belief in one God and following the example of Muhammad. It is the largest minority religion in India. As of 2007, India is home to 147 million Muslims, the world's third-largest Muslim population after those in Indonesia (210 million)^[19] and Pakistan (166 million); they compose 13.4% of the population.^[20] Muslims represent the majority in Jammu and Kashmir and Lakshadweep,^[21] and high concentrations in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, and Kerala.^[21][2] Major religions in India includes Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Christianity and Judaism, among some others. ... Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Vishnu in the form of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala Lord Venkateswara (Sanskrit वॆन्कटॆष्वरा), also called Venkatachalapathy or Srinivasa, is a Hindu God believed to be a form of the Hindu Deity Lord Vishnu. ... The Venkateswara Temple (Telugu: తిరుమల వేంకటేశ్వర దేవాలయం, Tamil: திருப்பதி வேங்கடேஸ்வரர் கோவில்) at Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh is dedicated to Lord Vishnu as Venkateswara (or Srinivasa) and attracts followers from a wide range of Hindu traditions. ... The Sanskrit language ( , for short ) is a classical language of India, a liturgical language of Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism, and one of the 23 official languages of India. ... For the Celtic Frost album, see Monotheist (album) In theology, monotheism (from Greek one and god) is the belief in the existence of one deity or God, or in the oneness of God. ... Muhammad in a new genre of Islamic calligraphy started in the 17th century by Hafiz Osman. ... Muslim percentage of population by country Distribution of Islam per country. ... This article is about the area controlled by India. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... India is a federal republic comprising twenty-eight states and seven union territories. ... , Uttar Pradesh (Hindi: , Urdu: , translation: Northern Province, IPA: ,  ), [often referred to as U.P.], located in central-south Asia and northern India, is the most populous and fifth largest state in the Republic of India. ... , Bihar (Hindi: बिहार, Urdu: بہار, IPA: ,  ) is a state of the Indian union situated in north India. ... , West Bengal (Bengali: পশ্চিমবঙ্গ Poshchimbôŋgo) is a state in eastern India. ... Assam   (Assamese: অসম Ôxôm) is a north eastern state of India with its capital at Dispur, a part of Guwahati. ... , Kerala ( ; Malayalam: കേരളം; ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of southwestern India. ...

A set of 15th- or 16th-century palm-leaf manuscripts containing Tamil-language Christian prayers.

Christianity is a monotheistic religion centred on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in the New Testament; it is the third largest religion of India, making up 2.3% of the population. Christianity is prevalent in North-East India, Goa and Kerala. Buddhism is a dharmic, nontheistic religion and philosophy. Buddhists form majority populations in the Indian states of Arunachal Pradesh, and the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir and a large minority (40%) in Sikkim. Around 12 million Buddhists live in India. Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Tamil ( ; IPA ) is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamils in India and Sri Lanka, with smaller communities of speakers in many other countries. ... For the Celtic Frost album, see Monotheist (album) In theology, monotheism (from Greek one and god) is the belief in the existence of one deity or God, or in the oneness of God. ... This article is about Jesus of Nazareth. ... This article is about the Christian scriptures. ... The Himalayas in Sikkim North-East India is the easternmost region of India consisting of the contiguous Seven Sister States and the state of Sikkim. ... For other uses, see Goa (disambiguation). ... , Kerala ( ; Malayalam: കേരളം; ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of southwestern India. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... , Arunachal Pradesh   (Hindi: Aruṇācal PradeÅ›) is the eastern most state on Indias north-east frontier. ... , Ladakh (Tibetan script: ལ་དྭགས་; Wylie: la-dwags, Ladakhi IPA: , Hindi: लद्दाख़, Hindi IPA: , Urdu: لدّاخ; land of high passes) is a region in the state of Jammu and Kashmir in Northern India sandwiched between the Kuen Lun mountain range in the north and the main Great Himalayas to the south, inhabited by people... , Sikkim (also Sikhim) (DevanāgarÄ«: सिक्किम  ) is a landlocked Indian state nestled in the Himalayas. ...

Jainism is a nontheistic dharmic religion and philosophical system originating in Iron Age India. Jains compose 0.4% (around 4.2 million) of India's population, and are concentrated in the states of Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan.^[21] Sikhism began in sixteenth century North India with the teachings of Nanak and nine successive human gurus. As of 2001, there were 19.2 million Sikhs in India. Punjab is the spiritual home of Sikhs, and is the only state in India where Sikhs form a majority. There are also significant populations of Sikhs in neighbouring New Delhi and Haryana. The Iron Age in the Indian subcontinent succeeds the Late Harappan (Cemetery H) culture, also known as the last phase of the Indus Valley Tradition. ... This article is for the Indian state. ... , Maharashtra (Marathi: महाराष्ट्र , IPA:  , translation: Great Nation) is Indias third largest state in area and second largest in population after Uttar Pradesh. ... , Rājasthān (DevanāgarÄ«: राजस्थान, IPA: )   is the largest state of the Republic of India in terms of area. ... (15th century - 16th century - 17th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 16th century was that century which lasted from 1501 to 1600. ... Dark green region marks the approximate extent of northern India while the regions marked as light green lies within the sphere of north Indian influence. ... Guru Nanak Dev[1] (Punjabi: , ) (Born in Nankana Sahib, Punjab, (now Pakistan) on 20th October 1469 – 7 May 1539, Kartarpur, Punjab, India), was the founder of Sikhism, and the first of the ten Sikh Gurus. ... Sikhism was established by ten Gurus, teachers or masters, over the period 1469 to 1708. ... Sikhism has been in India for over 500 years. ... , This article is about the Indian state of Punjab. ... , This article is about the urban region that is the capital of India. ... , Haryana (Hindi: हरियाणा, Punjabi: ਹਰਿਆਣਾ, IPA: ) is a state in north India. ...

As of the census of 2001, Parsis (followers of Zoroastrianism in India) represent approximately 0.006% of the total population of India,^[22] with relatively high concentrations in and around the city of Mumbai. There are several tribal religions in India, such as Donyi-Polo and Mahima. About 2.2 million people in India follow the Bahá'í Faith, thus forming the largest community of Bahá'ís in the world.^[23] The Bahá'ís originated from the Babi sect when the prophecy of Bahá'í was satisfied. Ayyavazhi, prevalent in South India, is officially considered a Hindu sect, and its followers are counted as Hindus in the census. A very minor community of Indian Jews is present in Kerala and Maharashtra. Up to 2% of Indians are estimated to be atheists;^[22] Around 0.07% of the people did not state their religion in the 2001 census. This article is about the Parsi community. ... Zoroastrianism is the religion and philosophy based on the teachings ascribed to the prophet Zoroaster (Zarathustra, Zartosht). ... , “Bombay” redirects here. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... There are very few or no other articles that link to this one. ... This article is about the generally-recognized global Baháí community. ... There are several meanings of the term Babi Babi is the name of a baboon god in Egyptian mythology. ... Ayyavazhi (IPA: )(Tamil:அய்யாவழி [1] -Path of the father) is a dharmic belief system[2] which originated in South India in the 19th century. ... Jews in India are a religious minority, living among Indias predominantly Hindu and Muslim populace. ... “Atheist” redirects here. ...

See also: Hinduism in India, Islam in India, Christianity in India, History of Buddhism in India, Sikhism in India, History of the Jews in India, Parsi, and Bahá'ís in India

India is the birthplace of Hinduism. ... Islam in India is the second-most practiced religion after Hinduism. ... The Nasrani Menorah, the symbol of the Syrian Malabar Nasrani Christian community in South India. ... The Mahabodhi Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the four holy sites related to the life of the Lord Buddha, and particularly to the attainment of Enlightenment. ... Sikhism has been in India for over 500 years. ... A map of India, showing the main areas of Jewish concentration. ... This article is about the Parsi community. ... The Baháí Faith has been established in India almost since the founding of the religion in 1844. ...

Statistics

See also: Demographics of India

Map of the British Indian Empire in 1909, shaded by prevailing religion.

Hinduism
Islam
Buddhism
Animism
Christianity

The following is a breakdown of India's religious communities: Population growth, from 443 million in 1960 to 1,004 million in 2000 Map showing the population density of each district in India Map showing the population growth over the past ten years of each district in India Map showing the literacy rate of each district in India Chart showing... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 762 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1368 × 1077 pixel, file size: 1. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 762 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1368 × 1077 pixel, file size: 1. ... Anthem God Save The Queen/King British India, circa 1860 Capital Calcutta (1858-1912), New Delhi (1912-1947) Language(s) Hindi, Urdu, English and many others Government Monarchy Emperor of India  - 1877-1901 Victoria  - 1901-1910 Edward VII  - 1910-1936 George V  - January-December 1936 Edward VIII  - 1936-1947 George... India is the birthplace of Hinduism. ... Islam in India is the second-most practiced religion after Hinduism. ... A fresco from the Ajanta caves in Maharashtra, India, once a gathering places for Buddhist monks. ... Ä€divāsÄ«s (आदिवासी), literally original people of the forest, comprise a substantial indigenous minority of the population of India. ... The Nasrani Menorah, the symbol of the Syrian Malabar Nasrani Christian community in South India. ...

Religions of India^{[2]α[›]β[›]}

Characteristics of religious groups

Theoretical Human population increase from 10,000 BC – 2000 AD. Population growth is the change in population over time, and can be quantified as the change in the number of individuals in a population per unit time. ... Sex ratio by country for total population. ... This article is about the ability to read and write. ... It has been suggested that Workforce be merged into this article or section. ...

Law

Main articles: Constitution of India, Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles and Fundamental Duties of India, and Secularism in India

Jawaharlal Nehru as he signed the Constitution of India on 24 January 1950. Nehru was an atheist who supported Indian secularism.

The preamble to the Constitution of India proclaimed India a "sovereign socialist secular democratic republic". The word secular was inserted into the Preamble by the Forty-second Amendment Act of 1976. It mandates equal treatment and tolerance of all religions. India does not have an official state religion; it enshrines the right to practice, preach, and propagate any religion. No religious instruction is imparted in government-supported schools. In S. R. Bommai vs. Union of India, the Supreme Court of India held that secularism was an integral tenet of the Constitution.^[24] This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The Preamble of the Constitution of India — Indias fundamental and supreme law The Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles of State Policy and Fundamental Duties are sections of the Constitution of India that prescribe the fundamental obligations of the State to its citizens and the duties of the citizens to the... Indian Secularism refers to the secularism as practiced by the Government of India. ... Image File history File links Nehru_signing_Indian_Constitution. ... Image File history File links Nehru_signing_Indian_Constitution. ... Jawaharlal Nehru (Hindi: , IPA: , from Persian Javâher-e Laal, meaning Red Jewel) (November 14, 1889 – May 27, 1964) was a political leader of the Indian National Congress, a pivotal figure in the Indian independence movement and the first Prime Minister of Independent India. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... is the 24th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1950 (MCML) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The Forty-second Amendment Act of 1976 (officially the Constitution (Forty-second Amendment) Act, 1976) was an amendment to the Constitution of India that reduced the ability of the Indias Supreme and High Courts to proclaim laws constitutional or unconstitutional. ... The jugement of the Supreme Court of India in S. R. Bommai vs. ... The Supreme Court of India is the highest court of the land as established by Part V, Chapter IV of the Constitution of India. ...

The right to freedom of religion is a fundamental right according to the Indian Constitution. The Constitution also recommends establishment of a uniform civil code for its citizens as a Directive Principle.^[25] However this has not been implemented until now. The Supreme Court has stated that the enactment of a uniform civil code all at once may be counterproductive to the unity of the nation, and only a gradual progressive change should be brought about (Pannalal Bansilal v State of Andhra Pradesh, 1996).^[26] In Maharishi Avadesh v Union of India (1994) the Supreme Court dismissed a petition seeking a writ of mandamus against the government to introduce a common civil code, and thus laid the responsibility of its introduction on the legislature.^[27] The Fundamental Rights in India enshrined in the Part III of the Constitution of India guarantee civil liberties such that all Indians can lead their lives in peace and harmony as citizens of India. ... A fundamental right is a right that has its origin in a countrys constitution or that is necessarily implied from the terms of that constitution. ... This article or section is not written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. ... The Directive Principles of State Policy are guidelines to the central and state governments of India, to be kept in mind while framing laws and policies. ... A writ of mandamus or simply mandamus, which means we order in Latin, is the name of one of the prerogative writs and is a court order directing someone, most frequently a government official, to perform a specified act. ... Sansad Bhavan, The Parliament of India The Parliament of India (or Sansad) is bicameral. ...

Religious communities continue to be governed by their own personal laws. Apart from Muslims, designated religious codes apply to Hindus, Christians, Zoroastrians, and Jews; for legal purposes, Buddhists and Sikhs are classified as Hindus and are subject to Hindu personal law.^[28] Civil laws for Muslims are based on Sharia law. The Code of Criminal Procedure is uniformly applied to all Indian citizens. Sharia (Arabic: transliteration: ) is the dynamic body of Islamic religious law. ...

Aspects

Religion plays a major role in the Indian way of life.^[3] Rituals, worship, and other religious activities are very prominent in an individual's daily life; it is also a principal organiser of social life. The degree of religiosity varies among individuals; in recent decades, religious orthodoxy and observances have become less common in Indian society, particularly among young urban-dwellers.

Rituals

A puja performed on the banks of the overflowing Shipra River in Ujjain during the summer monsoon.

The vast majority of Indians engage in religious rituals on a daily basis.^[29] Most Hindus observe religious rituals at home.^[30] However, observation of rituals greatly vary among regions, villages, and individuals. Devout Hindus perform daily chores such as worshiping at the dawn after bathing (usually at a family shrine, and typically includes lighting a lamp and offering foodstuffs before the images of deities), recitation from religious scripts, singing hymns in praise of gods etc.^[30] A notable feature in religious ritual is the division between purity and pollution. Religious acts presuppose some degree of impurity or defilement for the practitioner, which must be overcome or neutralised before or during ritual procedures. Purification, usually with water, is thus a typical feature of most religious action.^[30] Other characteristics include a belief in the efficacy of sacrifice and concept of merit, gained through the performance of charity or good works, that will accumulate over time and reduce sufferings in the next world.^[30] Devout Muslims offer five daily prayers at specific times of the day, indicated by adhan (call to prayer) from the local mosques. Before offering prayers, they must ritually clean themselves by performing wudu, which involves washing parts of the body that are generally exposed to dirt or dust. A recent study by the Sachar Committee found that 3-4% of Muslim children study in madrasas (Islamic schools).^[31] Image File history File linksMetadata Flood_puja. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Flood_puja. ... A puja as performed in Ujjain during the Monsoon on the banks of the overflowing river Shipra. ... The Shipra, also known as the Kshipra, is a river in Madhya Pradesh state of central India. ... , Ujjain   (Hindi:उज्जैन) (also known as Ujain, Ujjayini, Avanti, Avantikapuri) is an ancient city of central India, in the Malwa region of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, on the eastern bank of the Kshipra River. ... A semi-arid wasteland near Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu. ... It has been suggested that Salat of Quran be merged into this article or section. ... Adhan (Azaan) (أَذَان) is the Islamic call to prayer, recited by the muezzin. ... This article is about Hygiene in Islam. ... Justice Rajindar Sachar The Rajinder Sachar Committee, appointed by the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India was a High Level Committee For Preparation of Report on Social, Economic and Educational Status of the Muslim Community of India. ... Madrassa in the Gambia The word madrassa in the Arabic language (and other languages of the Islamic nations such as Persian, Turkish, Indonesian etc. ...

Dietary habits are significantly influenced by religion. Almost one-third of Indians practise vegetarianism; it came to prominence during the rule of Ashoka, a promoter of Buddhism.^[32][33] Vegetarianism is much less common among Muslim and Christians.^[34] Jainism requires monks and laity, from all its sects and traditions, to be vegetarian. Hinduism bars beef consumption, while Islam bars pork. For plant-eating animals, see Herbivore. ...

Ceremonies

A Hindu marriage.

Occasions like birth, marriage, and death involve what are often elaborate sets of religious customs. In Hinduism, major life-cycle rituals include annaprashan (a baby's first intake of solid food), upanayanam ("sacred thread ceremony" undergone by upper-caste youths), and shraadh (paying homage to a deceased individual).^[35][36] For most people in India, the betrothal of the young couple and the exact date and time of the wedding are matters decided by the parents in consultation with astrologers.^[35] Major Hindu religious ceremonies of the past, including sati (ritual self-immolation by widows) and Thuggee robbery (coupled with ritualised murder), were outlawed by the Charter Act of 1813, enacted during the hundred-year period when the British East India Company ruled India; the introduction of British morals foreshadowed future social legislation that substantially reconfigured Indian religious practices. Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2048 × 1536 pixel, file size: 1,014 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Jaisingh Rathore File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2048 × 1536 pixel, file size: 1,014 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Jaisingh Rathore File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Annaprashan, also known as annaprashan vidhi, is a Hindu rite-of-passage ritual that marks an infants first intake of food other than milk. ... Upanayanam, sometimes known outside India by the name, sacred thread ceremony, is a Hindu rite-of-passage ritual. ... Shraadh is a Sanskrit word which literally means anything done with sincerity and faith (shraddha is the Sanskrit word for faith). ... // Ceremony of Burning a Hindu Widow with the Body of her Late Husband, from Pictorial History of China and India, 1851. ... A drawing of Thug Prisoners published by Illustrated London News, C. 1857 Thuggee (or tuggee) (from Hindi ‘thief’, from Sanskrit ‘scoundrel’, from ‘to conceal’) was an Indian network of secret fraternities who were engaged in murdering and robbing travellers, operating from the 17th century (possibly as early as 13th century... The companys flag initially had the flag of England, the St Georges Cross, in the canton The Honourable East India Company (HEIC), often colloquially referred to as John Company, was the first joint-stock company (the Dutch East India Company was the first to issue public stock). ... // The East India Company was founded in 1600, as The Company of Merchants of London Trading into the East Indies. ...

Muslims practice a series of life-cycle rituals that differ from those of Hindus, Jains, and Buddhists.^[37] Several rituals mark the first days of life—including whispering call to prayer, first bath, and shaving of the head. Religious instruction begins early. Male circumcision usually takes place after birth; in some families, it may be delayed until after the onset of puberty.^[37] Marriage requires a payment by the husband to the wife and the solemnisation of a marital contract in a social gathering.^[37] On the third day after burial of the dead, friends and relatives gather to console the bereaved, read and recite the Quran, and pray for the soul of the deceased.^[37] Indian Islam is distinguished by the emphasis it places on shrines commemorating great Sufi saints.^[37]

Pilgrimages

See also: Hindu pilgrimage sites in India and Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India

Millions of Sikh pilgrims from around the world visit the Harmandir Sahib annually.

India hosts numerous pilgrimage sites belonging to many religions. Hindus worldwide recognise several Indian holy cities, including Allahabad, Haridwar, Varanasi, and Vrindavan. Notable temple cities include Puri, which hosts a major Vaishnava Jagannath temple and Rath Yatra celebration; Tirumala - Tirupati, home to the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple; and Katra, home to the Vaishno Devi temple. The Himalayan towns of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri compose the Char Dham (four abodes) pilgrimage circuit. The Kumbh Mela (the "pitcher festival") is one of the holiest of Hindu pilgrimages that is held every four years; the location is rotated among Allahabad, Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain. In religion and spirituality, a pilgrimage is a long journey or search of great moral significance. ... In religion and spirituality, a pilgrimage is a long journey or search of great moral significance. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 768 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1428 × 1115 pixel, file size: 811 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Image is touched up in Photoshop File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 768 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1428 × 1115 pixel, file size: 811 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Image is touched up in Photoshop File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed... For the Golden Pavilion Temple in Kyoto, Japan, see here. ... This article includes a list of works cited or a list of external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ... , Haridwar (also spelt as Hardwar, Hindi: हरिद्वार)   is a holy city and municipal board in the Haridwar District in the state of Uttarakhand in northern India. ... , VārāasÄ« ( , Hindi: , IPA: ), also known as Benares, Banaras, or Benaras ( , Hindi: , , IPA: ), or Kashi or Kasi ( , Hindi: , ), is a famous Hindu holy city situated on the banks of the river Ganges (Ganga) in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. ... , Vrindavan   (alternate spellings Vrindaban or Brindavan), or Vraj in Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh, India is a town on the site of an ancient forest which is believed to have been the region where the famous cowherd boy, Krishna, from Hindu scriptures spent his childhood days. ... Puri can mean: Puri, a city in the Indian state of Orissa, which is famous for the Jagannath temple and the serene beaches located there . ... Temple dedicated to the worship of Vishnu as Venkateswara. ... Jagannath(far right) with his brother Balarama(far left) and sister Subadra (center) in Radhadesh, Belgium Jagannath is a Sanskrit term used to describe a deity form of Krishna. ... Ratha Yatra Festival in Puri, India. ... This article is about the town of Tirumala-Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh, India. ... The Venkateswara Temple (Telugu: తిరుమల వేంకటేశ్వర దేవాలయం, Tamil: திருப்பதி வேங்கடேஸ்வரர் கோவில்) at Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh is dedicated to Lord Vishnu as Venkateswara (or Srinivasa) and attracts followers from a wide range of Hindu traditions. ... Katra is a place in the mountains of Jammu and Kashmir in India. ... Vaishno Devi Mandir is one of the holiest Hindu temples dedicated to Shakti, located in the hill of Vaishno Devi, Jammu and Kashmir, India. ... Perspective view of the Himalaya and Mount Everest as seen from space looking south-south-east from over the Tibetan Plateau. ... , Badrinath is a Hindu holy town and a nagar panchayat in Chamoli district in the state of Uttarakhand, India. ... The Kedarnath temple Kedarnath is a Hindu holy town located in the the Indian state of Uttarakhand. ... , Gangotri is a town and a nagar panchayat in Uttarkashi district in the state of Uttarakhand, India. ... Yamunotri, the source of the Yamuna River and the seat of the goddess Yamuna, is one of the four sites in Indias Char Dham pilgrimage. ... The Char Dham (the four abodes/seats) is the most important Hindu pilgrimage circuit in the Indian Himalayas. ... The 2001 Kumbh Mela. ... , Nashik (Marathi: ) ( ) or Nasik (Marathi: ) is a city in Indias Maharashtra state. ... , Ujjain   (Hindi:उज्जैन) (also known as Ujain, Ujjayini, Avanti, Avantikapuri) is an ancient city of central India, in the Malwa region of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, on the eastern bank of the Kshipra River. ...

Muslim pilgrims undertake ziyarat to Moinuddin Chishti's dargah in Ajmer, Rajasthan.

Among the Eight Great Places of Buddhism, seven are in India. Bodh Gaya, Sarnath and Kushinagar are the places where important events in the life of Gautama Buddha took place. Sanchi hosts a Buddhist stupa erected by the emperor Ashoka. Several Tibetan Buddhist sites in the Himalayan foothills of India have been built, such as Rumtek Monastery and Dharamsala. For Muslims, the Dargah Shareef of Khwaza Moinuddin Chishti in Ajmer is a major pilgrimage site. Other Islamic pilgrimages include those to the Tomb of Sheikh Salim Chishti in Fatehpur Sikri, Jama Masjid in Delhi, and to Haji Ali Dargah in Mumbai. Dilwara Temples in Mount Abu, Palitana, Pavapuri, Girnar and Shravanabelagola are notable pilgrimage sites (tirtha) in Jainism. Image File history File links Sufi_photos_051. ... Image File history File links Sufi_photos_051. ... Ziyarat is a pilgrimage to sites associated with the prophet Muhammad, his companions, or other venerated figures in Islamic history, such as Shia imams or Sufi saints. ... Moinuddin Chishti dargah, Ajmer, India Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti (Persian: خواجہ معین الدین چشتی ) was born in 1141 and died in 1230 CE, also known as Gharib Nawaz (Persian: غریب نواز ), is the most famous Sufi saint of the Chishti Order of South Asia. ... A dargah (Persian: درگه) is a Sufi shrine built over the grave of a revered religious figure, often a Sufi saint. ... The most important places of pilgrimage in Buddhism are located in Northern India and Southern Nepal, in the area between New Delhi and Calcutta. ... , Bodh Gaya or Bodhgaya(24° 41 60N, 84° 58 60E) is a city in Gaya district in the Indian state of Bihar. ... Sarnath (also Mrigadava, Migadāya, Rishipattana, Isipatana) is the deer park where Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma, and where the Buddhist Sangha came into existence through the enlightenment of Kondanna. ... Kushinagar or Kusinagar (26. ... , Sanchi is a small village in India, located 46 km north east of Bhopal, and 10 km from Besnagar and Vidisha in the central part of the state of Madhya Pradesh. ... The Great Stupa at Sanchi. ... Allegiance: Magadhan Empire Rank: Emperor Succeeded by: Dasaratha Maurya Reign: 273 BC-232 BC Place of birth: Pataliputra, India Battles/Wars Kalinga War Emperor Ashoka the Great (Devanagari: अशोक(:); IAST transliteration: , pronunciation: ) (304 BC–232 BC) (Imperial Title:Devanampiya Piyadassi ie He who is the beloved of the Gods who, in... Rumtek monastery Rumtek (Tibetan: རུམ་ཐེག་དགོན་པ་, Wylie: Rum-theg dGon-pa), also called the Dharmachakra Centre, is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery located in the Indian state of Sikkim near the capital Gangtok. ... Dharamsala “Dharamshala” redirects here. ... Moinuddin Chishti dargah, Ajmer, India Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti (Persian: خواجہ معین الدین چشتی ) was born in 1141 and died in 1230 CE, also known as Gharib Nawaz (Persian: غریب نواز ), is the most famous Sufi saint of the Chishti Order of South Asia. ... , Ajmer   (Hindi: अजमेर ) is a city in Ajmer District in Indias Rajasthan state. ... Tomb of Shaikh Salim Chisti Shaikh Salim Chisti (1418-1572) was one of the famous Sufi saints of the Chishti Order in India. ... View across Fatehpur Sikri Fatehpur Sikri (Hindi: ) was the political capital of Indias Mughal Empire under Akbars reign, from 1571 until 1585, when it was abandoned, ostensibly due to lack of water. ... The Jama Masjid is a mosque near Crawford Market in the South Mumbai region of Mumbai, India. ... Haji Ali dargah as seen from Worli Entrance to the dargah The Haji Ali Dargah (Hindi: ) is a mosque and dargah (tomb) located on an islet off the coast of Worli in Mumbai. ... The Jain Dilwara temples of India are located about 2½ kilometers from Mount Abu, Rajasthans only hill station. ... Mount Abu is the highest peak in the Aravalli Range of Rajasthan state, in western India. ... , Palitana   is a city, a municipality and former princely state in Bhavnagar district in the Indian state of Gujarat. ... Pawapuri in Bihar is a holy site for Jains, located 38 kilometers from Rajgir and 90 kilometers from Patna, India. ... Girnar (also known as Girnar Hill) is a collection of mountains in the Junagadh District of Gujarat, India. ... The statue of Gomatheswara dates from 978-993 AD. Shravanabelagola is a city located in the Hassan district, in the Indian state of Karnataka. ... A tirtha is a pilgrimage site. ...

The Golden Temple in Amritsar is the most sacred shrine of Sikhism, while the Thalaimaippathi at Swamithope is the leading pilgrim center for Ayyavazhi's. Lotus Temple in Delhi is a prominent house of worship of the Bahá'í faith. For the Golden Pavilion Temple in Kyoto, Japan, see here. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Swamithoppe Pathi (Tamil: ), Swamithoppu-pathi, Manavaippathi, or Thalaimaippathi (Thalaimai (chief) + pathi) is the primary pathi of the Ayyavazhi, the head of all Worship centers of Ayyavazhi, and the place where Ayya Vaikundar is said to have performed the Tavam. ... The District Map of Kanyakumari. ... Ayyavazhi (IPA: )(Tamil:அய்யாவழி [1] -Path of the father) is a dharmic belief system[2] which originated in South India in the 19th century. ... A map of the location of Baháí Houses of Worship worldwide; Green represents countries that currently have Baháí Houses of Worship (with a blue dot for the city); Red represents countries where a House of Worship existed, but no longer does; Light Green represents countries where Houses of Worship were...

Festivals

Main article: Public holidays in India

Diwali, celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains, symbolises the triumph of good over evil.

Religious festivals are widely observed and hold great importance for Indians. In keeping with India's secular governance, no religious festival has been accorded the status of a national holiday. Diwali, Ganesh Chaturthi, Holi, Durga puja, Ugadi, Dussehra, and Sankranthi/Pongal are the most popular Hindu festivals in India. Among Muslims, the Islamic Eid festivals of Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha are the most celebrated. Christmas, Buddha Jayanti, and Guru Nanak's Birthday are key holidays among the remaining religious groups. A number of festivals are common to most parts of India, and many states and regions have local festivals depending on prevalent religious and linguistic demographics. For example, fairs and festivities associated with specific temples or Dargahs associated with Sufi masters are common. India, being a multicultural and multireligious society, celebrates holidays and festivals of various faiths and special interest groups. ... Image File history File links Diwalipuja. ... Image File history File links Diwalipuja. ... This article is about the Religious festival. ... This article is about the Religious festival. ... Lord Ganesh Shiva Ganesh Chaturthi (IAST: , sanskrit: गणेश चतुर्थी) (Ganesh Festival) is a day on which Lord Ganesha, the son of Shiva and Parvati, is believed to bestow his presence on earth for all his devotees. ... Celebration of Holi Holi (Hindi: होली) or Phagwah (Bhojpuri) is a popular, Hindu spring festival, observed in North India and Nepal, also called the Festival of Colours. ... Durga Puja (Bengali: দুর্গাপূজা Durga Puja) is the biggest festival of Bengali Hindus. ... Ugadi (Telugu: ఉగాది, Kannada: ಉಗಾದಿ) (literally - the start of an era) is the new years day for the people of the Deccan region of India. ... Dussehra (also transliterated as Dasara) or Vijaya Dasami is an important Hindu festival. ... Sankranthi, or Sankranti, is a festival that signifies the beginning of the harvest season for the farmers of India. ... This article is about the Pongal festival. ... A common Diwali puja scene. ... In Muslim communities, Eid (Arabic: عيد ) is the name of two Islamic festivals: Eid ul-Fitr, marking the end of the month-long fast of Ramadan, held on the first day of Shawwal. ... The Islamic holiday of Eid ul-Fitr (Arabic: عيد الفطر) marks the end of Ramadan. ... Eid ul-Adha (Arabic: عيد الأضحى) is second in the series of Eid festivals that Muslims celebrate. ... Christmas is an annual holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus. ... This article or section is missing references or citation of sources. ... Guru Nanak The religion of Sikhism preaches that there is one God but that he is formless. ... India is a federal republic comprising twenty-eight states and seven union territories. ... What follows is a list of unofficial, or quasi-official regions of India. ... A dargah (Persian: درگه) is a Sufi shrine built over the grave of a revered religious figure, often a Sufi saint. ... A Pir (Persian: پیر) meaning Old Man. ...

Muharram is a unique festival in the sense that it is not celebrated; it is a mournful commemoration of the death of Muhammad's grandson Imam Husain in 680 CE. A taziya, which is a bamboo replica of Husain's tomb, is paraded through the city. Muharram is observed with great passion in Lucknow, the centre of Indian Shia Islam.^[38] Muhammad in a new genre of Islamic calligraphy started in the 17th century by Hafiz Osman. ... This article is about Husayn ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib (626 – 680). ... , Lucknow ( , Hindi: लखनऊ, Urdu: لکھنؤ, ) is the capital city of Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state of India. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ...

Sectarianism

See also: Status of religious freedom in India

This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

Politics

The Babri Mosque, namesake of Mughal emperor Babur, was razed by Hindu extremists in 1992.

Religious ideology, particularly that expressed by the Hindutva movement, has strongly influenced Indian politics in the last quarter of the 20th century. Many of the elements underlying India's casteism and communalism originated during the rule of the British Raj, particularly after the late 19th century; the authorities and others often politicised religion.^[39] The Indian Councils Act of 1909 (widely known as the Morley-Minto Reforms Act), which established separate Hindu and Muslim electorates for the Imperial Legislature and provincial councils, was particularly divisive. It was blamed for increasing tensions between the two communities.^[40] Due to the high degree of oppression faced by the lower castes, the Constitution of India included provisions for affirmative action for certain sections of Indian society. Growing disenchantment with the Hindu caste system has led thousands of Dalits (also referred to as "Untouchables") to embrace Buddhism and Christianity in recent decades.^[41] In response, many states ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) introduced laws that made them more difficult; they assert that such conversions are often forced or allured.^[42] The BJP, a Hindu nationalist party, gained widespread media attention after its leaders associated themselves with the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and other prominent issues.^[43] Rear View of the babri Mosque Copyright Shaid Khan permission is given to use this image freely under GNU licence provided that Shaid Khan is aknowledged as the photographer. ... Rear View of the babri Mosque Copyright Shaid Khan permission is given to use this image freely under GNU licence provided that Shaid Khan is aknowledged as the photographer. ... A view of the Babri Mosque, pre-1992. ... Flag Mughal Empire at its greatest extent in 1700 Capital Agra, Delhi Language(s) Persian (initially also Chagatai; later also Urdu) Government Monarchy List of Mughal emperors  - 1526-1530 Babur  - 1530–1539 and after restoration 1555–1556 Humayun  - 1556–1605 Akbar  - 1605–1627 Jahangir  - 1628–1658 Shah Jahan  - 1659–1707... The Mughal Empire was the dominant power in the Indian subcontinent between the mid-16th century and the end of the 17th century. ... Zāhir ud-DÄ«n Mohammad, commonly known as Bābur (February 14, 1483 – December 26, 1530) (Chaghatay/Persian: ; also spelled ), was a Muslim Emperor from Central Asia who founded the Mughal dynasty of India. ... For Veer Savarkars book Hindutva, see Hindutva. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The word Caste is derived from the Portuguese word casta, meaning lineage, breed or race. ... Communalism is used in South Asia to denote attempts to promote primarily religious stereotypes between groups of people identified as different communities and to stimulate violence between those groups. ... Anthem God Save The Queen/King British India, circa 1860 Capital Calcutta (1858-1912), New Delhi (1912-1947) Language(s) Hindi, Urdu, English and many others Government Monarchy Emperor of India  - 1877-1901 Victoria  - 1901-1910 Edward VII  - 1910-1936 George V  - January-December 1936 Edward VIII  - 1936-1947 George... Government of India Act of 1909 John Morley, the aging Liberal intellectual, (Secretary of State for India December 10, 1905 - November 3, 1910) and the Gilbert Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, 4th Earl of Minto, the Conservative practical administrator, (Governor-General of India (Viceroy) 1905–1910) recognized that cracking down on terrorism... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Affirmative action refers to policies intended to promote access to education or employment aimed at a historically socio-politically non-dominant group (typically, minorities or women). ... Caste (Sanskrit: Gyati ज्ञाति , Hindi: Biradari बिरादरी, samaj समाज, jati जाति etc , Urdu Zat ज़ात ) is an endogamous group. ... In South Asias caste system, an untouchable, dalit, or achuta is a person outside of the four castes, and considered below them. ... The Bharatiya Janata Party [BJP] (Hindi: , English: ), created in 1980, is a major Indian political party. ... Hindu nationalism is a nationalist ideology that sees the modern state of the Republic of India as a Hindu polity [1] (Hindu Rashtra), and seeks to preserve the Hindu heritage. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article may require cleanup. ...

A well known accusation that Indian political parties make for their rivals is that they play vote bank politics, meaning give political support to issues for the sole purpose of gaining the votes of members of a particular community. Both the Congress Party and the BJP have been accused of exploiting the people by indulging in vote bank politics. The Shah Bano case, a divorce lawsuit, generated much controversy when the Congress was accused of appeasing the Muslim orthodoxy by bringing in a parliamentary amendment to negate the Supreme Court's decision. There have been allegations that sensing an consolidation of Hindu votes against the Congress, its Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi, ordered the opening of locks in the Ram Temple at Ayodhya to appease the Hindus.^[44][45] After the 2002 Gujarat violence, there were allegations of political parties indulging in vote bank politics.^[46] During an election campaign in Uttar Pradesh, the BJP released an inflammatory CD targeting Muslims.^[47] This was condemned by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) as playing the worst kind of vote bank politics.^[48] Caste-based politics is also important in India; caste-based discrimination and the reservation system continue to be major issues that are hotly debated.^[49][50] The Indian National Congress (also known as the Congress Party) is the largest subscription-based organisation in the world. ... The Shah Bano case is infamous in India and has generated political controversy in the country; it is sometimes described as an example of appeasement of the vote bank for political gains. ... The Supreme Court of India is the highest court of the land as established by Part V, Chapter IV of the Constitution of India. ... Rajiv Ratna Gandhi (IPA: ) (August 20, 1944 – May 21, 1991), the eldest son of Indira. ... Ram Janmabhoomi (राम जन्मभूमि) refers to a tract of land in the North Indian city of Ayodhya which is believed to be the birthplace of the Rama. ... The skyline of Ahmedabad filled with smoke as buildings and shops are set on fire by rioting mobs. ... , Uttar Pradesh (Hindi: , Urdu: , translation: Northern Province, IPA: ,  ), [often referred to as U.P.], located in central-south Asia and northern India, is the most populous and fifth largest state in the Republic of India. ... The Communist Party of India (Marxist) (abbreviated CPI(M) or CPM) is a political party in India. ... Caste is one of the major factors in politics of India. ... Reservation in Indian law is a term used to describe the governmental policy whereby a percentage of seats are reserved in the Parliament of India, State Legislative Assemblies, Central and State Civil Services, Public Sector Units, Central and State Governmental Departments and in all Public and Private Educational Institutions, except...

Education

Several political parties have been accused of using their political power to manipulate educational content in a revisionist manner. During the Janata Party government (1977–1979), the government was accused of being too sympathetic to the Muslim viewpoint. In 2002, the BJP-led NDA government tried to change the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) school textbooks through a new National Curriculum Framework.^[51] The changes promoted Hindutva national mysticism, which conformed to a narrow sectarian and Hindu chauvinist ideology; some media referred to it as the "saffronisation" of textbooks, saffron being the colour of BJP flag.^[51] The next government, formed by the UPA and led by the Congress Party, pledged to de-saffronise textbooks.^[52] Hindu groups alleged that the UPA promoted Marxist and pro-Muslim biases in school curricula.^[53][54] In Parson Weems Fable (1939) Grant Wood takes a sly poke at a traditional hagiographical account of George Washington Historical revisionism has both a legitimate academic use and a pejorative meaning. ... The Janata Party (Peoples Party in Hindi) was an Indian political party that contested the Indian Emergency (1975-77) and became the first political party to defeat the Indian National Congress in the 1977 elections, forming the national government from 1977 to 1980. ... The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is a coalition in India. ... NCERT Logo The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) is an apex resource organisation set up by the Government of India, with headquarters at New Delhi, to assist and advise the Central and State Governments on academic matters related to school education. ... For Veer Savarkars book Hindutva, see Hindutva. ... This article is about National Mysticism of all cultures. ...

Conflicts

Aftermath of Hindu-Muslim clashes in Calcutta following the 1946 Direct Action Day.

Communal conflicts have periodically plagued India since it became independent in 1947. The roots of such strife lie largely in the underlying tensions between sections of its majority Hindu and minority Muslim communities, which emerged under the Raj and during the bloody Partition of India. Such conflict also stems from the competing ideologies of Hindu nationalism versus Islamic fundamentalism and Islamism; both are prevalent in parts of the Hindu and Muslim populations. Alongside other major Indian independence leaders, Mahatma Gandhi and his shanti sainiks ("peace soldiers") worked to quell early outbreaks of religious conflict in Bengal, including riots in Calcutta (now in West Bengal) and Noakhali District (in modern-day Bangladesh) that accompanied Muhammad Ali Jinnah's Direct Action Day, which was launched on 16 August 1946. These conflicts, waged largely with rocks and knives and accompanied by widespread looting and arson, were crude affairs. Explosives and firearms, which are rarely found in India, were far less likely to be used.^[55] Image File history File links Calcutta_1946_riot. ... Image File history File links Calcutta_1946_riot. ... This article is under construction. ... Hindu nationalism is a nationalist ideology that sees the modern state of the Republic of India as a Hindu polity [1] (Hindu Rashtra), and seeks to preserve the Hindu heritage. ... Islamic fundamentalism is a term used to describe religious ideologies seen as advocating literalistic interpretations of the texts of Islam and of Sharia law. ... For the religion of Islam, see Islam. ... Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (Gujarati: , Hindi: , IAST: mohandās karamcand gāndhÄ«, IPA: ) (October 2, 1869 – January 30, 1948), was a major political and spiritual leader of India and the Indian independence movement. ... Bengal (Bengali: বঙ্গ Bôngo, বাংলা Bangla, বঙ্গদেশ Bôngodesh or বাংলাদেশ Bangladesh), is a historical and geographical region in the northeast of South Asia. ... , “Calcutta” redirects here. ... , West Bengal (Bengali: পশ্চিমবঙ্গ Poshchimbôŋgo) is a state in eastern India. ... Noakhali (Bengali: ) is a district in South-eastern Bangladesh. ... Muhammad Ali Jinnah (Urdu:  ) (December 25, 1876 – September 11, 1948) was an Indian Muslim politician and leader of the All India Muslim League who founded Pakistan and served as its first Governor-General. ... Direct Action Day, also known as the Affirmative Action Plan, the Calcutta Riots, the Great Calcutta killings, and The Week of the Long Knives [1][2], started on August 16, 1946. ... is the 228th day of the year (229th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1946 (MCMXLVI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full 1946 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Many of Ahmedabad's buildings were set on fire by largely Hindu mobs during the 2002 Gujarat violence.

Major post-independence communal conflicts include the 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots, which followed the storming of the Harimandir Sahib by the Indian Army; heavy artillery, tanks, and helicopters were employed against the Sikh separatists hiding inside, causing heavy damage to Sikhism's holiest shrine. Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, who sought independence for the proposed Sikh theocracy of Khalistan, was killed by Indian troops during the assault; in total, the assault caused the deaths of up to 3,000 soldiers, militants, and civilians.^[56] This triggered Indira Gandhi's assassination by her outraged Sikh bodyguards on 31 October 1984, which set off a four-day period during which Sikhs were massacred; some estimates state that more than 4,000 were killed.^[56] Other incidents include the 1992 Bombay Riots that followed the demolition of the Babri Mosque as a result of the Ayodhya debate, and the 2002 Gujarat violence that followed the Godhra Train Burning—in the latter, more than 2,000 Muslims were killed.^[57] Terrorist activities such as the 2005 Ram Janmabhoomi attack in Ayodhya, the 2006 Varanasi bombings, the 2006 Jama Masjid explosions, and the 11 July 2006 Mumbai Train Bombings are often blamed on communalism. Lesser incidents plague many towns and villages; representative was the killing of five people in Mau, Uttar Pradesh during Hindu-Muslim rioting, which was triggered by the proposed celebration of a Hindu festival.^[57] Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1184x800, 325 KB) Summary This is a scan of a photograph taken by me during the Communal riots on Ahmedabad in February/March 2002. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1184x800, 325 KB) Summary This is a scan of a photograph taken by me during the Communal riots on Ahmedabad in February/March 2002. ... , Ahmedabad (Gujarati: , Hindi: अहमदाबाद ) is the largest city in the state of Gujarat and the seventh-largest urban agglomeration in India, with a population of almost 51 lakhs (5. ... The skyline of Ahmedabad filled with smoke as buildings and shops are set on fire by rioting mobs. ... 1984 Anti-Sikh riots took place in India after the assassination of Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984. ... Operation Blue Star (June 3 to June 6, 1984) was an Indian military operation ordered by Indira Gandhi at the Harimandir Sahib in Amritsar, Punjab, the holiest temple of the Sikhs. ... The Indian Army is one of the armed forces of India and has responsibility for land-based military operations. ... Punjab State A proposed flag for Khalistan Khalistan currency The Khālistān movement (Punjabi: ) is a movement in Indian Punjab in the 1970s and 80s to create The Land of the Pure as an independent state in all Punjabi-speaking areas contiguous to the borders of Indian Punjab. ... Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale or Jarnail Singh (Punjabi: ; February 12, 1947–June 6, 1984) was the leader of the Damdami Taksal, a religious fringe group based in India. ... Ĩ:This is about the proposed nation-state, see Khalistan movement for a detailed article on the attempted creation of this state A proposed flag for Khalistan Khālistān (East Punjabi: , West Punjabi: ), meaning The Land of the Pure, was the name given to a proposed nation-state by Jagjit... Indira Priyadarshini Gandhi (Hindi: ) (19 November 1917 - October 31, 1984) was an Indian politician who served as Prime Minister of India for three consecutive terms from 1966 to 1977 and for a fourth term from 1980 until her assassination in 1984. ... is the 304th day of the year (305th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... Although numerous riots have occurred in the City of Mumbai, India (Bombay) since Independence, the Bombay Riots usually refers to the riots in Mumbai, in December 1992 and January 1993, in which 900 people died. ... A view of the Babri Mosque, pre-1992. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article may require cleanup. ... The skyline of Ahmedabad filled with smoke as buildings and shops are set on fire by rioting mobs. ... The Godhra Train Burning Incident occurred in the town Godhra in the Indian state of Gujarat at 0630 hrs on 27 February 2002. ... On July 5, 2005, five suspected Islamist militants attacked the site of the destroyed Babri Mosque and the Ram Janmabhoomi, in Ayodhya, India. ... Location of Varanasi in India Map of blast locations The 7 March 2006 Varanasi bombings were a series of bombings that occured across the Hindu holy city of Varanasi in India on 7 March 2006. ... Jama Masjid in Old Delhi On April 14, 2006, two explosions occurred in the courtyard of Jama Masjid, a 17th-century mosque in Old Delhi (India). ... Map showing the Western line and blast locations. ... This article is about the town in India. ... , Uttar Pradesh (Hindi: , Urdu: , translation: Northern Province, IPA: ,  ), [often referred to as U.P.], located in central-south Asia and northern India, is the most populous and fifth largest state in the Republic of India. ...

Notes

Prayer flags above the monastery (gompa) of Tanze, in the Kurgiakh Valley. The wind is believed to propagate prayers printed on the flags.

Download high resolution version (600x900, 228 KB) Prayer flag above the monastery (Gompa) of Tanze, in the Kurgiakh valley. ... Download high resolution version (600x900, 228 KB) Prayer flag above the monastery (Gompa) of Tanze, in the Kurgiakh valley. ... Gompas are Buddhist temples, located in Tibet, Ladakh (India), Nepal, and Bhutan. ... , Manipur   (Bengali: মণিপুর, Meitei Mayek: mnipur) is a state in northeastern India making its capital in the city of Imphal. ... Senapati is a district of Manipur state in India Categories: | ... Assam   (Assamese: অসম Ôxôm) is a north eastern state of India with its capital at Dispur, a part of Guwahati. ... This article is about the area controlled by India. ... The Encyclopedia of Indo-European Culture or EIEC, edited by James P. Mallory and Douglas Q. Adams, was published in 1997 by Fitzroy Dearborn. ... The Indo-Iranian language group constitutes the easternmost extant branch of the Indo-European family of languages. ... The term Indo-Iranian includes all speakers of Indo-Iranian languages, i. ...

References

Formally established on the 24 January 1857, the University of Calcutta (also known as Calcutta University) (Bengali: কলকাতা বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়), located in the city of Kolkata (previously Calcutta), India, is the first modern university in the Indian subcontinent. ... Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (Telugu:సర్వేపల్లి రాధాకృష్ణ,Tamil:சர்வபள்ளி ராதாகிருஷ்ணன) (September 5, 1888 – April 17, 1975), was a philosopher and statesman. ... Faber and Faber is a celebrated publishing house in the UK, notable in particular for publishing the poetry of T. S. Eliot. ...

Citations

Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 191st day of the year (192nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 219th day of the year (220th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 353rd day of the year (354th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also see: 2002 (number). ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 154th day of the year (155th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 112th day of the year (113th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 112th day of the year (113th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... BBC News is the department within the BBC responsible for the corporations news-gathering and production of news programmes on BBC television, radio and online. ... is the 78th day of the year (79th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 219th day of the year (220th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 207th day of the year (208th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 111th day of the year (112th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 147th day of the year (148th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 108th day of the year (109th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 250th day of the year (251st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 108th day of the year (109th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 305th day of the year (306th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the band, see 1997 (band). ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 107th day of the year (108th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Hindu is a leading English-language newspaper in South India, with its largest base of circulation in Tamil Nadu. ... is the 249th day of the year (250th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... April 19 is the 109th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (110th in leap years). ... is the 141st day of the year (142nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also see: 2002 (number). ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... April 19 is the 109th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (110th in leap years). ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 107th day of the year (108th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... April 19 is the 109th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (110th in leap years). ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... April 19 is the 109th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (110th in leap years). ... The Indian Express is an Indian newspaper owned by Ramnath Goenka. ... is the 335th day of the year (336th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 111th day of the year (112th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Japan Times is one of the few independent English newspapers published in Japan: it mainly competes with English editions of the major dailies, such as the Daily Yomiuri and the Mainichi Daily News, as well as the International Herald Tribune. ... is the 112th day of the year (113th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 113th day of the year (114th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 226th day of the year (227th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 111th day of the year (112th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... April 19 is the 109th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (110th in leap years). ... Banglapedia is a National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 110th day of the year (111th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... April 19 is the 109th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (110th in leap years). ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 110th day of the year (111th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 287th day of the year (288th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 110th day of the year (111th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 110th day of the year (111th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 73rd day of the year (74th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 110th day of the year (111th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 74th day of the year (75th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 110th day of the year (111th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 84th day of the year (85th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 110th day of the year (111th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 99th day of the year (100th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 147th day of the year (148th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 105th day of the year (106th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 147th day of the year (148th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 339th day of the year (340th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 154th day of the year (155th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 112th day of the year (113th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 154th day of the year (155th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 154th day of the year (155th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 312th day of the year (313th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 154th day of the year (155th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 233rd day of the year (234th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 2001 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 154th day of the year (155th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 57th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full 2000 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 154th day of the year (155th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

Statistics

• Census of India 2001: Data on religion. Government of India (Office of the Registrar General). Retrieved on 2007-05-28.

Constitution and law

• Constitution of India. Government of India (Ministry of Law and Justice). Retrieved on 2007-05-28.

Reports

• International Religious Freedom Report 2006: India. United States Department of State. Retrieved on 2007-05-28.