in is characterized by a diversity of religious beliefs and practices. The means treatment of all equally by the state. a by the 42nd amendment act of Constitution in 1976.  The is the birthplace of four of the world's major religions; namely , , and . Throughout India's history, religion has been an important part of the country's culture. Religious diversity and are both established in the country by the law and custom; the has declared the right to to be a fundamental right.  Religion in India (2011 Census)  Hinduism (79.80%)  (14.2%)  (2.3%)  Sikhism (1.7%)  Buddhism (0.7%)  Jainism (0.4%)  Other religions (0.7%)  Religion not specified (0.2%)

Geography (U.G), SEM- II, Paper – C3T: Human Geography (Cultural Region: Religion) Northwest India was home to one of the world's oldest civilizations, the Indus valley civilisation. Today, India is home to around 90% of the global population of . Most Hindu shrines and are located in India, as are the birthplaces of most Hindu . hosts the world's largest religious tour, Kumbha Mela, where Hindus from across the world come together to bathe in the confluence of three holy rivers of India: the Ganga, the , and the Saraswati. The Indian diaspora in the West has popularized many aspects of such as , , Ayurvedic medicine, , , and . The influence of has been significant all over the world. Several Hindu-based organisations, such as the Hare Krishna movement, the , the , and others have spread Indian spiritual beliefs and practices.

Geography (U.G), SEM- II, Paper – C3T: Human Geography (Cultural Region: Religion)  Hinduism is the world's third large religion, with around 850 million followers. One out of ever seven people in the world is a Hindu. Nearly all of them are in India or are people of Indian succession.  Outside India, the only places where Hindus dominate is (where they make up 90 percent of the population) and the Indonesian island of Bali. They are found in significant numbers in , Malaysia, Trinidad, Suriname and Guyana and in the Indian communities in Britain, the United States and Canada (there are 1.4 Hindus in North America) and Africa. Among those of non-Indian descent that have had a deep interest in Hinduism was the late Beatle George Harrison.  The words “Hindu” and “Hinduism” have no easy translation in languages spoken in India. In India, a Hindu is simply defined as someone who is not a Muslim, Christian, Parsi or Jew (or Sikh or Jain).  “Hindu” is a Persian word derived from Sindhu, the name of the . Invaders from Persia in the 6th century B.C. named the people of the Indian subcontinent "people living near the Indus River." Ironically the Sindh, the region around the Indus, lies mostly in modern , which is almost exclusively Muslim.

Geography (U.G), SEM- II, Paper – C3T: Human Geography (Cultural Region: Religion) Islam  Though Islam came to India in the early 7th century with the advent of Arab traders in , , it started to become a major religion during the Muslim rule in the Indian subcontinent. Islam's spread in India mostly took place under the Sultanate (1206–1526) and the (1526–1858), greatly aided by the mystic Sufi .  Islam is the second largest religion in India, with 14.2% of the country's population or roughly 172 million people identifying as adherents of Islam (2011 census).

Geography (U.G), SEM- II, Paper – C3T: Human Geography (Cultural Region: Religion)  The works of scholars and Eastern Christian writings say that Christianity was introduced to India by , who visited in Kerala in 52 CE and baptised Kerala's Jewish settlements, who are known as Thomas (also known as Syrian Christians or Nasrani) today.  Although the exact origins of remain unclear, there is a general scholarly consensus that Christianity was rooted in India by the 3rd century AD, including some communities who used Syriac liturgically, and it is a possibility that the religion's existence in India extends to as far back as the 1st century. Christianity in India has different denominations, like Roman Catholicism, Oriental Orthodox, and .  Most Christians reside in South India, particularly in Kerala, and , There are also large Christian populations in the North-east Indian states. Christianity in India was expanded in the 16th Century by Catholic Portuguese expeditions and by Protestant British and American missionaries in the 18th century.

Geography (U.G), SEM- II, Paper – C3T: Human Geography (Cultural Region: Religion)  India is the cradle land of Buddhism, but today it is a minute (0.77%) it, however, the fourth largest religion of the world.  Major areas of concentration are (J&K), Lahul and Spiti (H.P.) and Kameng district ().  These areas have received the Tibetan Buddhist refugees from .  Due to the New-Buddhist movement Buddhism has been embraced by many Scheduled in , and Tripura.

Geography (U.G), SEM- II, Paper – C3T: Human Geography (Cultural Region: Religion)  Nanak Dev Ji (1469–1539) was the founder of Sikhism. The was first compiled by the fifth Sikh guru, Dev, from the writings of the first five Sikh and others saints who preached the concept of universal brotherhood, including those of and Muslim faith. Before the death of , the Guru Granth Sahib was declared the eternal guru.  Sikhism recognizes all humans as equal before , regardless of colour, or lineage. Sikhism strongly rejects the beliefs of (), superstitions, idol worship and .

Geography (U.G), SEM- II, Paper – C3T: Human Geography (Cultural Region: Religion)  first arrived as traders from Judea in the city of , Kerala, in 562 BCE. More Jews came as exiles from Israel in the year 70 CE, after the destruction of the Second .

 India is also the homeland of Jainism which is a minority religion (0.41%) and has no perceptible following in the countries.  Its followers are found in Maharashtra, , , and , Particularly in urban areas and have important influence in business and politics.

Geography (U.G), SEM- II, Paper – C3T: Human Geography (Cultural Region): Religion  The Parses (population 1.25 lakh) are the followers of .  It was a dominant religion in the palmy days of he old Persian Empire.  The essence of its ethics is well summed up in three words: Humata (good thoughts), Hukhta (good words) and Huvarshta (good deeds).  Religious book is Dinkart.  Most sacred temple of the Parsies is Iranshah of Udvada.  They first reached Diu in 766 A.D. and shifted their cologny to Mt. Bharhat (1490) and from these to Navsari and ultimately to Udvada.  Influenced by the Hindu customs but they do not advocate celibacy and permit re- marriage.  80% of the Parsi population is concentrated in Greater and the rest in Navsari, Udvada, Surat and Ahmedadad.

Geography (U.G), SEM- II, Paper – C3T: Human Geography (Cultural Region: Religion) Review 1. How do different Religion around the world compare to one another? 2. Where can you find the main countries and major cities of the world? 3. Do all religious lead to God? 4. What about all the wars that are caused in the name of Christianity?

Geography (U.G), SEM- II, Paper – C3T: Human Geography (Cultural Region)  Husain, M., (2009), Human Geography, Rawat publication, New Delhi, ISBN 81-7033- 724-0, pp.203 -229.  Singh, L.R., (2009), Fundamentals of Human Geography, Sharda Pustak Bhawan, Allahabad, pp.256 - 266.  Sen, J., (2016), AText Book of Social and Cultural Geography, Kalyani Publication, New Delhi, ISBN 978-93-272-5910-0, pp. I.67-I.85.  Chandna, R.C., (2012), Geography of Population, Kalyani Publication, New Delhi, ISBN: 978-93-272-2516-7, pp.107-142.

Geography (U.G), SEM- II, Paper – C3T: Human Geography (Cultural Region: Religion) Geography (UG), SEM - VI, Paper - DSC - 3T : Soil and Bio-Geography, (Energy flow in Ecosystem)