Religions
in India - India is a land of diverse religions that exist in
harmony and peace. The secularism is one of the most important aspects
of the country. The largest section of the population is Hindu that has
an established majority in the Nation but this does not deprive
followers of other religions fro influencing the society. Most of the
religions are divided into different sects. Hindus are divided
into four castes - Brahmins or the scholars, Kshatriyas or the warriors
and kings, Vaishyas or the businessmen and the clergy class and the
Shudras or the servant class. There are untouchables or the casteless
too. All these castes are further sub-divided into number of other
sub-castes. However, the rigid ness of this system has decreased to a
much greater level, with the Herculean efforts of various social
reformers.
The next religion that has largest number of followers in India is
Islam and its followers are known as Muslims. They are further
sub-divided into various sects, the most prominent being Shias and
Sunnis. Sikhs were originally Hindus who became followers and disciples
of Guru Nanak. Guru Gobind Singh, their tenth Guru gave them their
present identity and introduced community service and martial tendencies
as their distinctive features so that they can withstand oppression.
Christians in India are mainly Catholics and Protestants and follow
different Churches as their denominations. The other significant
religions of India are Buddhism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism and Judaism.
Buddhists are divided into Digambaras and Shwetambaras, Jains into
Mahayana and Hinayana sects and Jews in various communities. The
followers of Zoroastrianism are known as Parsis and have distinctive
style and Jews are the followers of Judaism.
