1. Hinduism:Hinduism: Hinduism accounts for 80% of the population inHinduism accounts for 80% of the population in
India. It is the largest religion in India. There are in allIndia. It is the largest religion in India. There are in all
827,578,868 Hindus. A Hindu is a person who practices good827,578,868 Hindus. A Hindu is a person who practices good
karma and bhakti for the achievement of moksha or mukti. Thekarma and bhakti for the achievement of moksha or mukti. The
word Hindu, originally a geographical description, derives fromword Hindu, originally a geographical description, derives from
the Sanskrit,the Sanskrit, SindhuSindhu andand refersrefers to a person from theto a person from the land of theland of the
river Sindhuriver Sindhu. The main holy books of Hinduism are the Vedas. The main holy books of Hinduism are the Vedas
andand the Upanishads. It follows the Vedic calendar. The Rig Vedathe Upanishads. It follows the Vedic calendar. The Rig Veda
is the foundation of Hinduism. A Hindu does not believe that ais the foundation of Hinduism. A Hindu does not believe that a
Veda is a source of knowledge rather each Hindu seeks outVeda is a source of knowledge rather each Hindu seeks out
spiritual knowledge wherever they can.spiritual knowledge wherever they can.

2. Islam:Islam: Islam is the second largest religion after Hinduism. IslamIslam is the second largest religion after Hinduism. Islam
arrived in India as early as the 8th century A.D and itarrived in India as early as the 8th century A.D and it
contributed greatly to the cultural enhancement of an alreadycontributed greatly to the cultural enhancement of an already
rich Indian culture, shaping not only the shape of Northernrich Indian culture, shaping not only the shape of Northern
Indian classical music but encouraging a grand tradition ofIndian classical music but encouraging a grand tradition of
Urdu literature, both religious and secular there were aboutUrdu literature, both religious and secular there were about
138 million Muslims in138 million Muslims in India.India. Muslims were in parts of theMuslims were in parts of the
Gangetic plain. Uttar Pradesh in Northern India has theGangetic plain. Uttar Pradesh in Northern India has the
highest population of Muslims. There are about 75 sects ofhighest population of Muslims. There are about 75 sects of
Islam followed in India. Sunni Islam is the denominationIslam followed in India. Sunni Islam is the denomination
practiced by the majority of Indian Muslims, followed by Shiapracticed by the majority of Indian Muslims, followed by Shia
Islam. 97% of people in Pakistan are Muslims and only 2%Islam. 97% of people in Pakistan are Muslims and only 2%
people in India are Muslims.people in India are Muslims.

3. Buddhism:Buddhism: Buddhism, originated in northern India in the 6thBuddhism, originated in northern India in the 6th
century BCE, and rapidly gained adherents during Buddha'scentury BCE, and rapidly gained adherents during Buddha's
lifetime. In 1956, B. R. Ambedkar, the main architect of thelifetime. In 1956, B. R. Ambedkar, the main architect of the
Indian constitution, and thousands of his Dalit followersIndian constitution, and thousands of his Dalit followers
converted to Buddhism to protest the Indian caste system.converted to Buddhism to protest the Indian caste system.
Buddhists form a large population in the Indian states ofBuddhists form a large population in the Indian states of
Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh , and the Ladakh region of JammuSikkim, Arunachal Pradesh , and the Ladakh region of Jammu
& Kashmir. In all,& Kashmir. In all, aroundaround 9 million Buddhists live in India9 million Buddhists live in India
today. Most of the Buddhists in India have Hindu names.today. Most of the Buddhists in India have Hindu names.
Buddhism arose in India and flourished during the reign ofBuddhism arose in India and flourished during the reign of
emperors Bimbisara, Ashoka, Milinda, and Kanishka. It wasemperors Bimbisara, Ashoka, Milinda, and Kanishka. It was
then introduced and incorporated into the religious structurethen introduced and incorporated into the religious structure
of other countries, including China, Korea and Japan, largelyof other countries, including China, Korea and Japan, largely
due to the efforts of saints. Buddhism declined anddue to the efforts of saints. Buddhism declined and
disappeared from most regions of India around the 13thdisappeared from most regions of India around the 13th
century, but not without leaving a significant impact.century, but not without leaving a significant impact.

4. Sikhism:Sikhism: Sikhism has been in India for over 500 years,Sikhism has been in India for over 500 years,
beginning with the birth of its founder Guru Nanak. Sikhism,beginning with the birth of its founder Guru Nanak. Sikhism,
was founded in India's northwestern Punjab region about 400was founded in India's northwestern Punjab region about 400
years ago and Sikhs form the majority population in the stateyears ago and Sikhs form the majority population in the state
of Punjab. There were 19.3 million Sikhs in India. Many ofof Punjab. There were 19.3 million Sikhs in India. Many of
today's Sikhs are situated in Punjab - the largest Sikh provincetoday's Sikhs are situated in Punjab - the largest Sikh province
in the world and the ancestral home of Sikhs. There are alsoin the world and the ancestral home of Sikhs. There are also
significant populationssignificant populations ofof Sikhs in the neighboring states ofSikhs in the neighboring states of
Haryana and New Delhi. The most famous Sikh temple is theHaryana and New Delhi. The most famous Sikh temple is the
Golden Temple, located in Amritsar in Punjab. Many SikhsGolden Temple, located in Amritsar in Punjab. Many Sikhs
serve in the Indian Army. The current prime minister of India,serve in the Indian Army. The current prime minister of India,
Manmohan Singh, is a Sikh. The ten Sikh gurus are GuruManmohan Singh, is a Sikh. The ten Sikh gurus are Guru
Nanak Dev, Guru Angad Dev, Guru Amar Das, Guru RamNanak Dev, Guru Angad Dev, Guru Amar Das, Guru Ram
Das, Guru Har Gobind, Guru Har Rai, Har Krishan, GuruDas, Guru Har Gobind, Guru Har Rai, Har Krishan, Guru
Teg Bahadur, Guru Gobind Singh, Guru Granth Sahib.Teg Bahadur, Guru Gobind Singh, Guru Granth Sahib.

5. Jainism:Jainism: Jainism—along with Hinduism, Buddhism, andJainism—along with Hinduism, Buddhism, and
Sikhism—is one of the four major Dharmic religionsSikhism—is one of the four major Dharmic religions
originating in India. Dating back to the first millennium BCE,originating in India. Dating back to the first millennium BCE,
the religion was well in place during the lifetime of its 24ththe religion was well in place during the lifetime of its 24th
tirthankar, Mahavira. The 24 Tirthankars are - Lord Rishabha,tirthankar, Mahavira. The 24 Tirthankars are - Lord Rishabha,
Sambhavanath,Sambhavanath, AbhinandannathAbhinandannath, Sumatinath, Padmaprabha,, Sumatinath, Padmaprabha,
Suparshvanath, Chandraprabha, Pushpadanta, Sheetalnath,Suparshvanath, Chandraprabha, Pushpadanta, Sheetalnath,
Shreyansanath, Vasupujya, Vimalnath, Anantnath,Shreyansanath, Vasupujya, Vimalnath, Anantnath,
Dharmanath, Shantinath, Kunthunath, Aranath, Mallinath,Dharmanath, Shantinath, Kunthunath, Aranath, Mallinath,
Munisuvrata, Nami Natha, Neminatha, Parshva, Mahavira.Munisuvrata, Nami Natha, Neminatha, Parshva, Mahavira.

6. Christianity:Christianity: Christianity is India's third-largest religion,Christianity is India's third-largest religion,
following Hinduism and Islam. There are 24 million Indianfollowing Hinduism and Islam. There are 24 million Indian
Christians. 25% of people in India are Christians. ChristianityChristians. 25% of people in India are Christians. Christianity
was later consolidated in India, by the arrival of Syriac Jewish-was later consolidated in India, by the arrival of Syriac Jewish-
Christians now known as Knanaya people in the secondChristians now known as Knanaya people in the second
century A.D. This ancientcentury A.D. This ancient ethnicethnic Christian community ofChristian community of
Kerala is known as Nasrani or Syrian Christian. Christianity isKerala is known as Nasrani or Syrian Christian. Christianity is
prevalent in South & North-east Indian states of Meghalaya,prevalent in South & North-east Indian states of Meghalaya,
Nagaland, and Mizoram. Mother Terresa who was known asNagaland, and Mizoram. Mother Terresa who was known as
the saint of gutters, a famous personality was herself athe saint of gutters, a famous personality was herself a
Christian.Christian.

7. Ahmadiyya:Ahmadiyya: Ahmadiyya is a relatively small messianicAhmadiyya is a relatively small messianic
movement founded in 1899 by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad. Themovement founded in 1899 by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad. The
majority of Ahmadis live in northern India, although many aremajority of Ahmadis live in northern India, although many are
found in New Delhi, Kashmir, and Uttar Pradesh. There arefound in New Delhi, Kashmir, and Uttar Pradesh. There are
approximately oneapproximately one millionmillion Ahmadis in India. The Ahmadiyya'sAhmadis in India. The Ahmadiyya's
identify themselves as Muslims and there has been a courtidentify themselves as Muslims and there has been a court
decision in which this was upheld.decision in which this was upheld.

8. Ayyavazhi:Ayyavazhi: Ayyavazhi is a religion which originated in southAyyavazhi is a religion which originated in south
India in the 19th century. Officially, in India, it is considered aIndia in the 19th century. Officially, in India, it is considered a
sect within Hinduism, and its followers are counted assect within Hinduism, and its followers are counted as Hindus.Hindus.
Ayyavazhi has transformed itself into a distinctive andAyyavazhi has transformed itself into a distinctive and
recognisable religion,recognisable religion, havinghaving made its presence felt inmade its presence felt in southernsouthern
India starting in the mid 1830s. It has more than 8000 worshipIndia starting in the mid 1830s. It has more than 8000 worship
centers throughout India, mostly in the southern parts ofcenters throughout India, mostly in the southern parts of
Tamil Nadu and south Kerala.Tamil Nadu and south Kerala.

9. Judaism:Judaism: Indian Jews are a religious minority of India. JudaismIndian Jews are a religious minority of India. Judaism
was one of the first non-Dharmic religions to arrive in India inwas one of the first non-Dharmic religions to arrive in India in
recorded history. The Jewish population in India is hard torecorded history. The Jewish population in India is hard to
estimate since each Jewish community is distinct with differentestimate since each Jewish community is distinct with different
origins; some arrived during the time of the Kingdom oforigins; some arrived during the time of the Kingdom of
Judah, others are seen by some as descendants of Israel's LostJudah, others are seen by some as descendants of Israel's Lost
Ten Tribes. Of the totalTen Tribes. Of the total JewishJewish population in India, about halfpopulation in India, about half
live in Mizoram and a quarter live in the city of Mumbai.live in Mizoram and a quarter live in the city of Mumbai.
Unlike many parts of the world, Jews have historically lived inUnlike many parts of the world, Jews have historically lived in
India. Jews have held important positions under IndianIndia. Jews have held important positions under Indian
princes in the past and even after independence from Britishprinces in the past and even after independence from British
Rule, they have risen to very high positions in government,Rule, they have risen to very high positions in government,
military and industry.military and industry.

10. Zoroastrianism:Zoroastrianism: Zoroastrianism was founded by the MagiZoroastrianism was founded by the Magi
known as Zoroaster. Zoroastrianism was gradually supplantedknown as Zoroaster. Zoroastrianism was gradually supplanted
by Islam, many Zoroastrians fled to other regions in the hopeby Islam, many Zoroastrians fled to other regions in the hope
of preserving their religious tradition. In contrast to their co-of preserving their religious tradition. In contrast to their co-
religionists elsewhere, in India the Zoroastrians enjoyedreligionists elsewhere, in India the Zoroastrians enjoyed
tolerance and even admiration from other religioustolerance and even admiration from other religious
communities. From the 19th century onward, the Parsiscommunities. From the 19th century onward, the Parsis
gained a reputation forgained a reputation for theirtheir education and widespreadeducation and widespread
influence in all aspects of society, partly due to the divisiveinfluence in all aspects of society, partly due to the divisive
strategy of British colonialism which favored certainstrategy of British colonialism which favored certain
minorities. Parsis are generally more affluent than otherminorities. Parsis are generally more affluent than other
Indians They have also played an instrumental role in theIndians They have also played an instrumental role in the
economic development of the country over many decades;economic development of the country over many decades;
several of the best-known business conglomerates of India areseveral of the best-known business conglomerates of India are
run by Parsi-Zoroastrians.run by Parsi-Zoroastrians.

11. People of different ReligionsPeople of different Religions
A HinduA Hindu A MuslimA Muslim
A JainA Jain
A BuddhistA Buddhist A SikhA Sikh

12. A ChristianA Christian An AhmadiyyaAn Ahmadiyya
An AyyavazhiAn Ayyavazhi
A Jew A ZoroastrianA Jew A Zoroastrian

13. In our country there are many people of differentIn our country there are many people of different
religions but then also we leave with unity. Therereligions but then also we leave with unity. There
is no caste system in India. Thus, in India surelyis no caste system in India. Thus, in India surely
‘UNITY IS STRENGTH‘UNITY IS STRENGTH.’.’
Click on the speakerClick on the speaker
Balraj Shukla