HINDUISM

THE BEGINNING OF A RELIGION

Hinduism was developed out of
the religion Brahmanism which is
a historic Vedic religion that was
formed in ancient India
Hinduism originated out of India

Fun Fact: The name "Hindu"

derives from a root that means
"to flow", as a river does. It
referred to the Indo-Pakistani
region called "Sindh" and the
great stream called the "Indus"
that flows through it.
DATES WHEN FOUNDED
Formed: 2000 B.C.E
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Deity: Polytheistic
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POPULATION AND PLACE
India: 80%+ Hindu Population
(94.3% of the Hindu Population
lives in India)
Nepal: 81.3% Hindu Population
Bangladesh: 8.2% Hindu
Population
Indonesia: 83.5% Hindu
Population
West Indies: 25% Hindu
Population
Sri Lanka: 12.6% Hindu
Population
Malaysia: 6.3% Hindu
Population
United States: 0.7% Hindu
Population
South Africa: 1.1% Hindu
Population
United Arab Emirates: 21.5%
Hindu Population
HOLY BOOKS AND
CUSTOMS
HOLY BOOKS
The Shruti is the holy text for believers of the Hindu faith.

The four main scriptures are:

Vedas meaning knowledge which is hymns to praise the Vedic gods

Ramayana is lengthy epic poems about Rama and Sita

Mahabharata is about the Bhagavad Gita

Puranas is stories about incarnations and lives of saints.

CUSTOMS
Hindus greet each other by
saying "Namaste" or "Namaskar"
and putting both palms of each
hand together while doing so.
(Other religious terms are used
such as: Ram Ram, Jai Mata Di,
Jai Ram Ji Ki, Om Namah Shivay)
Before starting any Ceremony,
Hindus worship Lord Ganesha
and chant mantra.
Arranged marriages take place
within the respective castes only.
Respecting Elders (Parents &
Teacher are considered to be
next to God and are highly
respected.)
Hindus do not wear footwear
inside homes, temples, or
other holy places. They also
do not enter temples after
consuming alcohol and/or
non-vegetarian foods.
CUSTOMS CONTINUED
Samskara Ceremony: Family
tradition, creating a sacred
place, lighting the scared
fire, garland exchange, the
seven steps.
A married Hindu woman
wears a Mangalsutra around
her neck, bangles in her
hand, and toe rings
indicating that she is in a
marriage. She also applies a
kum kum spot or sticks a
Generally, Hindu females
wear clothing that covers all
of the body except the face
such as: Sari, Lehengas,
Salwar Kameez, Ghagra
Choli, etc..
An altar is found in every
Hindu household which
contains miniature idols of
many Hindu deities(gods),
which they clean and
worship everyday.
FOOD AND SYMBOLS
FOOD
Double Ka Meetha: Bread
crumbs fried in Chee and dipped
in milk and sugar syrup.
Goli Bajje: Snack. Gram flour.
Idiappam: steamed rice noodles/
Vermicelli. Ground rice.
Idli: Steamed cake of fermented
rice and pulse flour. Rice, urad dal.
Pork Bharta: Boiled pork with
onions, chillies ginger and garlic
from Tripura
Chahou Kheer: Purple rice porridge
from Manipur.
Chaat: Street food usually
containing a potato patty friend in
oil, topped with sweet yogurt, and
other sauces, spices.
Dal fry with Tadka: Typical north
Indian tadka.
Karela Bharta: Bitter gourd/
melon.
Kheer: Rice cooked milk and dry
fruits.
SYMBOLS
The most known symbol
representing Hinduism is the
Om or Aum, the first syllable in
Hinduism prayers. The symbol
is also said to represent the
universe as well as reality.
Other times the symbol is
speculated to represent three
of the Hindu Gods
(A) Brahma, the creator

(U) Vishnu, the preserver

(M) Shiva, the destroyer

SYMBOLS
The Lotus is rooted in mud
but floats in water without
being muddy or wet and
represents untouched
beauty and non-attachment.
Pratik is the symbol
representing the path of
bliss (Ananda Marga)
founded in 1955 in India
which emphasizes social
service, yoga, and
meditation
SYMBOLS
A trident spear called Trisula
is the emblem of the god
Shiva. This represents
empire and irresistible force
of transcendental reality. Yantra represents the
universe and used in Hindu
worship and meditation.
PRACTICES OF
HINDUISM
MAIN PRACTICES OF HINDUISM
Worship (Puja)
Vital for Hindu faith and offerings are made to represent the gods

Cremation
The dead are not buried but burned.

Caste system compliance

The caste system is a division of society to preserve society and each
group has to obey by the rules. People are divided by occupation but no
one was superior to another because they are all equal and essential to
society.
THE BELIEF OF HINDUS
Brahman, the reason for existence, is the only God that
Hindus believe in but there are multiple forms of Brahman.
Hindus worship their own personal god or goddess regularly.
3 Main Forms of Brahman are:
Brahma-the creator of the world

Vishnu-the preserver of the world

Shiva-the destroyer of the world

OTHER HINDU GODS
Saraswathi-Goddess of Wisdom as well as knowledge, music, and
creative arts. Wife of Lord Brahma.
Lakshmi-Goddess of Wealth as well as light, beauty, and good fortune.
Wife of Lord Vishnu
Parvati-Goddess of household and motherhood, represents Shakti
(sacred force, power, or energy and personification of Brahman as
feminine). Wife of Lord Shiva.
Ganesha- Human form with elephant head, son of Shiva and Parvati
SCHOLARS
Aralumallige Parthasarathy: an
international scholar and expert in
the field of Dasa Sahitya, which
preaches the values and culture of
the historic Bhakthi movement.
Bhaskararaya: is widely
considered an authority on all
questions pertaining to the worship
of the Mother Goddess in Hinduism.
Eknath: was a prominent Marathi
sant, scholar, and religious poet of
the Varkari sampradaya.
Rupnath Brahma: was a Bodo poet,
politician, and religious scholar. He is
credited with helping establish
Brahma Dharma.
Radhakanta Deb: Was a scholar and
a leader of the Calcutta conservative
Hindu society, the adopted son and
heir of Maharaja Nabkrishna Deb.
Gaga Bhatt: was a 17th-century
Brahmin scholar from Varanasi, best
known for presiding over the
coronation of the Maratha king,
Shivaji.
WORSHIP HOUSES
1. Kamakhya Temple
1. Lankeshwar Temple
a) Location: Nilachal Hill, Guwahati

b) Built: 8th 17th century a) Location: Guwahati, India

b) Date: 1753
2. Umananda Temple
a) Location: Baruah Souk, North 2. Dirgheswari Temple
Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam
a) Location: Amingaon Doul
b) Built: 1681 1696 Govinda Road, North
3. Basistha Temple
Guwahati, Assam

a) Location: Guwahati, Assam b) Built: 1714 CE-1744 CE

b) Built: 1764
ATTIRE

The sari and dhoti are very simple pieces of

clothing. Neither requires any tailoring, and
they are often made in village workshops.
There are many different ways to fold the cloth,
with the emphasis in Hindu dress being on
simplicity and elegance. Lightweight fabrics
such as cotton, silk or nylon produce the best
draped effect.
At one time, the dhoti was also worn by Hindu
women. When India was conquered by the
Muslims in the 12th century, women were
required to cover their bodies and heads, and
the sari became common mode of dress. There
are many regional variations for draping the
sari.
Changing customs allow many women in more
urban areas to wear a garment called a salwar
kameez, consisting of pants with a long shirt.
Some Hindu women and men also prefer to
wear the Western style of clothing.
MARRIAGE
Vivah Sanskar is the use of Hindu sacraments to mark the
beginning of the new family which is an importance stage of
life called Grihistha Ashrama
Hours, which can vary from regions, of rituals are performed
for the wedding ceremony to be complete
Jayamaala: The brides parents welcome the grooms parents to the
boundaries of the house where the wedding happens. The red powder,
or kum-kum, mark is made on their foreheads as members of both
families are introduced. The exchange of garlands, or jayamaala, from
the bride and groom shows their acceptance of each other.
Madhu-Parka: A special alter is decorated called mandap with a seat and
drink containing ingredients like milk, ghee, and sugar. The groom is
brought here.
MARRIAGE
Gau Daan and Kanya Pratigrahan: This is the exchange of gifts being
that gau means cow and daan means donation. A necklace, mangala
sootra, is given to the bride from the grooms mother which is
representative of marriage for Hindu women. Kanya Pratigrahan is the
brides father declaring that his daughter accepted the grooms request
so the groom can accept her.
The purohit, or priest, says mantras over a sacred fire and prayers are
said. Paanigrahan are the vows of the ceremony.
 HINDUISM
HOLIDAYS &
FESTIVALS
CELEBRATIONS
Diwali: Hindu festival of lights
celebrated every year in autumn
in the northern hemisphere.
Holi: Spring festival in India and
Nepal, known as the festival of
colours or the festival of sharing
love.
Ganesh Chaturthi: Celebrated in
honor of the lord Ganesh. This is a
very auspicious day celebrated to
pray to the god so that every new
started successfully.
Raksha Bandhan: Is a hindu
religious and secular festival
meaning bond and protection.
Thai Pongal: A Tamil harvest
festival. A four-day festival which
is according to the Gregorian
calendar Jan 14-Jan 15.
Onam: the most important
seasonal festival celebrated in the
state of Kerala with State holidays
on four days starting from Onam
Eve to the third Onam day.
HINDUISM HOLY
DAYS
SACRED DAYS OF HINDUISM
April
Rama Navami-birth of Lord Rama

July-August
Krishna Jayanti- birth of Lord Krishna

Raksabandhana-renewing bonds between brothers and sisters

August-September
Ganesha-Chaturthi- festival of Ganesh

September-October
Dassera- victory of Rama over demon king Ravana

Navaratri- festival of Shakti (in Bengal) or Ramas victory over Ravana (South India)
HANUMAN JAYANTI
Living embodiment of Karma Yogi

Celebrating the birth of the monkey God, Hanuman Ji

Symbolizes
Strength and energy
Devotion to Rama
Dedication to the God
HOLY DAYS
Dasara
Honoring Durga or Kali is a 10 day celebration that celebrates the triumph of good over evil

Makar Sankrant
It is the first Hindu festival of the solar calendar year

Mahashivratri
A Hindu festival dedicated to Shiva, a deity of the Hindu trinity

Raksha Bandhan
Hindu festival celebrating brotherhood and love

Janamashtami
Festival marking the birth of Krishna, a high god in the Hindu faith
Bibliography
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22 Dec. 2016.
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Jan. 2017.
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Web. Accessed 3 Jan. 2017.
The Huffington Post. "5 Hindu Traditions to Include in Your Interfaith
Ceremony". 25 May, 2014. Web. Accessed 03 Jan. 2017.
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"BBC - Schools - Religion - Hinduism." BBC News. BBC, n.d.
Web. 08 Jan. 2017.
"Hinduism." Hinduism. Pujas, n.d. Web. 08 Jan. 2017.