Types of Religion in India, their origin and importance

Scientifically speaking the primitive humans did not have any religion. They only knew that they had to hunt the prey and had their dinner. The only thing that distinguished the early humans from the animals was the enhanced consciousness that helped it to develop quickly and start living in shelters, have social groups, store food, fight for their boundaries etc. This eventually led to different groups, tribes and communities world wide wherever the human groups travelled or migrated in search of better terrains. The different geographical conditions changed the living patterns of different groups and their evolution took place in those terrains only and the outcome was the different skin colours and heights and appearances from the humans of bone place to humans of other place. The evolution of species was like that only albeit over a long - long period. The beliefs and cultural patterns of these groups were different from each other and slowly they became the foundation stones of the future religions to which they merged in toto. India was also having some species of humans in a particular habitat and about 4500 to 5000 years ago the birth of Hinduism took place. The Sanskrit scriptures like Vedas, Purans and Upnishads were the cultural background to the Hindu religion as those principles are only embedded in it. The Indian peninsula was crowded with many other tribes which had cultural affinities to the west Asia or middle Asia rather then the Indian subcontinent and they never found themselves a part of the Hinduism or its philosophy. So, in essence Hinduism was not any special religion but one of the religions of the world which originated in different different geographical and cultural areas. Whenever a cult is evolved or sect comes in light then there are leaders to guide it. If there are differences between the leaders and there is a fight for leadership the immediate result is division in the tribe leading to two distinguishable cultures but both of them belonging to the same original Indian peninsular culture which for simplicity we can term as Hinduism though it was a primitive form of that.

Today whatever different religions related to the Hinduism are there in India, they are basically the offshoots of that one main philosophy that existed long back in this part of the world but frankly telling it was not the present Hinduism but something bigger than this from which so many branches evolved like Sikhism, Jainism etc. Hinduism is a later phenomenon. Some people cover it by telling that ours was a Sanatan Dharma and that makes a sense as that was the beginning from where many offshoots culminated. We learn about the religion as historians have mentioned it in their books but if we see it from a scientific view of evolution of species and survival of the fittest then many mysteries can be unravelled and understood in a better perspective.

It is difficult to pin point as how and when religious practices started in the world as it entails historical, anthropological and other studies to precipitate that but it is true and established that due to the different cultures and practices developed in the primitive tribes various types of religious practices emerged and in that time because there was no communication and contact between them until unless one invaded on others, they remained in seclusion and that is the reason why one differs from other sometimes drastically also.

Hindu culture is also an old culture but documentary and other archaeological studies indicate that its primitive form was there in Indian peninsula sometime back about 5000 years. Though it could be much older but this is the most accepted time period for that. As a student of History, I can mention that as the Indian subcontinent was extended over a large area, many different tribes or communes developed here independently having little interaction among them. But the overall tone of cultural values remained almost same that was inculcated about 5000 years back. During the past there were invasions from outside especially from west Asia and Middle Asia and Mangolia regions on this peninsula as the invaders found the affluence and abundance of gold and spices in this region. The towering Deccan traps limited their invasion to deep South and that is the reason why our cultural values are not much modified in those Southern areas.

During the above time thought the undercurrent was Hinduism only but different religious leaders promulgated their own ideas about religion and new religions were created like Sikhism or Jainism but being carved out from the main Hindu root they contained many of the constituent elements from there only. Another important point in this matter worth noting is that the invaders also started to dwell in small numbers in this area on the occupied lands and they had a totally different religion as they came from some far off areas. There was a mixing of local Hindu tribes with them and there was a lot of mixing activities leading to a newer kind of generation which could opt for any religion out of their parents. So, it is a complex process through which the present religions are emerged but one thing is certain that if invasions had not been there we would had been in a purer tribe form. Genesis of religion in the Indian subcontinent is a matter of great research and many PhD aspirants in History or Anthropology etc take up them to dig out more about these phenomenons. Going through some research papers might give us more sight in this area as general information in internet about this is more and less same in all the sites.

It is difficult to mention that Indian religions existed in early centuries, but Dharmic religions and Indic religions existed in the Indian subcontinent and it includes Hindu, Buddism, Jain and Sikhism. These type of religions were classified as Eastern religions. The Indian religions existed through our Indian history. There are some pieces of evidence in the Indian subcontinent which shows the Mesolithic rock paintings. The Indus Valley Civilization which lasted from 3300 to 1300 BCE.

The history of the Indian religions started from the Vedic religion and the religious practices were of Indo-Iranians which was collected and converted to Vedas. The Vedic period lasted from 1750 to 500 BCE. The principles of Vedas were simplified as Upanishads and it was known as Vedanta.

Our India is a secular country. She has many religions but all religions are telling same truth. Telling way may be different but the common theme is one. The every religion is telling God is one and Love is God. They reiterates the unity in people and that too through love as all human beings are part and parcel of God.
Belief in God should be in every human and Love on God but never fear on God.
Many stories in Hinduism through life of devotees are telling the loving each other and through love and affection on God in the Bakthi or Belief manner.
In Hinduism, Thirunavukkarasar, the Devotee of Siva, co operated well with another devotee of siva ThiruGnanasambanthar, who is very young in age comparatively with Thirunavukkarasar.
Strong belief of Prahalatha, Dhruv on God makes the God to present before them.
In Islam, the same belief of God is told in all places and Love is stressed in all places of Quron. Once Jews chasing Nabi and another devotee to kill them as ordered by their chief. Nabi and his devotee on their running they saw a cave on the way and hide themselves inside. The other devotee told Nabi that, 'we two only are here and they cannot find us'. Nabi replied him that ,'we are three here, you forget God is with us'. In outside the chasers seeking them where they would have gone. One of them told they might have hide themselves in the cave. But other person replied him, it could not be possible as the cave entrance was covered with cobweb and they went on other direction. Their belief of God only saved them through the cobweb.
So, the religions are based on the varnasrama and not on caste based and they are telling us the way of living and things not to do in our lives.

The oldest religions of India are Hinduism and Buddhism. Other important religions are Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Zoroastrianism, Jainism, and the Baha'i faith. Hinduism is the largest religion in India. Then comes Islam in the second position and the third one is Christianity.
1. Hinduism: This religion originated In ancient Vedic civilizations in India about three thousand years before. This religion is having several schools of thought. Some many rituals and practices are followed in this system. The Hinduism considers a large number of deities. This religion is a lifestyle with different avenues of practices. In Hinduism, there are five main castes.
2, Islam: This religion arrived in India from the Middle East. India has the largest Muslim minority in the world. in 2010. India has the third-largest Muslim population in the world, after Indonesia and Pakistan.
3. Christianity: Christianity is a monotheistic religion. It follows the teachings of Jesus Christ. This religion originated in the Middle East.

The most dominant religion in India is currently Hinduism comprising of 80 percent of its population. This religion is one of the ancient religion in the world. While looking back at its origin, it is supposed to have developed 5000 years back. Other religions such as Jainism, Buddhism emerged later.
Hence we had three ancient religions namely Hinduism, Budhism and Jainism and the followers constituted around 79.8 percent, 0.7 percent and 0.4 percent respectively. Sikhism emerged later established in the 15 th century comprising of 1.8 percent being the followers of Sikhism.
Due to the invasion of Muslim Kings, the population of Islam religion rose partly due to the conversion of Hindus lower casts and the Muslim population which came along with the Kings. Hence the total population of Islam has surged to the level of 14.2 percent of our population. The population of Christian is not more than 2.0 percent.
Importance of the religion -
Religion plays a vital role in the various aspect of our society.It binds the people together. There is always a strength in the number.
Religion emphasises on sustainable living giving importance to the existence of human and nature. Our religion Hinduism attach importance to many trees, plants, birds, animals and other spices. Considering these being sacred, many plants were later utilised in the form of medicines for the treatment of various disorders. Sarangdhar Sanhita is one of such texts containing the usefulness of different plants/ herbs.
In the present days, the families are becoming increasingly nuclear but it is the religion binding them together and the continuity is seen especially during the festivals, religious functions, rituals etc
Thus every religion in some way or other teaches people how to live their lives. Hindu Religion can take our stress by chanting Slokas, Mantras, Bhajans etc.
All the religions teach us tolerance, benevolence, patience and courage through the native tales, religious texts etc.

There are many different religions originated from time to time in India.
Hindu: Three thousand years ago, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, and from the Hindukush mountains of Afghanistan to the Bay of Bengal, there was only Hindu religion. Three thousand years before Christ, this religion was first organized by Lord Krishna, which became unorganized over time.
Islam: Islam came into South India in the 7th century through Arab merchants. During the Afghan, Iranian, and Mughal Empire, Islam spread in two ways - first by the propagation of Sufi saints and second by the Mughal rulers.
Sikhs: Guru Nanak Devji, the founder of this religion, emphasized monotheism and brotherhood in the 15th century. The origin of this religion in Indian Punjab was due to the growing animosity between Hindus and Muslims. The Khalsa Panth was established to protect Kashmiri Pandits and Hindus from Islamic atrocities.
Christian: According to research, Jesus received education and initiation at a Buddhist monastery in Kashmir. St. Thomas, a disciple of Jesus Christ, first propagated Christianity from a place in Kerala.
Jain: In the sixth century BCE, Lord Mahavir Swami propagated Jainism. As a result, many Kshatriyas and Brahmins became Jains. He gave the message of austerity, moderation, and non-violence. His favorite phrase was - Live and let live.
Buddhism: Buddhism was established around Jainism. Gautama Buddha was a Kshatriya prince, influenced by which Vipras vied to be a monk. Emperor Ashoka also became a Buddhist himself.
Parisi: This religion is the ancient religion of Iran. After the Islamic conquest of Iran, many Persians had to convert to Islam. Many Persians left their home country and took refuge in India. The first group of Parsis reached Daman and Diu in 766 BC. Except for a few in the world, all Parsis now live in India.
Jews: Jews entered India on the Malabar coast of Kerala many years ago ie 973 BC. The Prophet of the Jews was Moses, but then his chief was King Solomon. Its merchant fleet came for spices and famous treasures.

India has a different religion such as Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism etc but it is very difficult to say about its origin.
Here, different religion of India and their origin are as follows:-
Hinduism is known as the oldest religion in the world. It began between 2300 B.C. and 1500 B.C. in the Indus Valley which is now called modern Pakistan. It is considered the third-largest religion after Christianity and Islam. It is estimated that 95 per cent of the world's Hindu population reside in India. Since there is no known founder of this religion, so it's not easy to find out its origins.
Islam started in Mecca, which is now called Saudi Arabia. Prophet. Muhammad was the main guru of Islam and he spread the teaching of Islam throughout the Arabian peninsula. He was a prophet and messenger of God.
Christianity began in the 1st century AD after passing away Jesus. Christianity founded by Jesus Christ in Jerusalem of Roman province of Judea. Christianity was first started in Armenia country. In India, It was first started in Kerala.
Buddhism is also known as one of the oldest religion. It is assumed as 300 million people presently practice this religion. It was founded in northeastern India by Prince Siddhartha in the sixth century B.C. After achieving enlightenment, he became Shakyamuni and preached a path of salvation to his followers. It was founded in the late 6th century B.C.E. by Siddhartha Gautama. It is an important religion in most Asian countries. Buddhism has assumed many different forms, but always try to attempt to draw from the life experiences of the Buddha and his teaching.
As far as the importance of religion is concerned, all religion has the same purpose to provide peace and harmony to society. It not only gives strength to our society but also helps people to lead healthy life.