Hindu

Karma and dharma

A Hindu is an adherent of Hinduism, the dominant religion of India encompassing diverse traditions of worship, philosophy, and practice.

As an adjective, Hindu describes things relating to this religion or its followers: Hindu temples, Hindu festivals.

The term derives from the Indus River region, though Hinduism as a unified concept emerged partly through colonial-era categorization of varied Indian religious practices.

philosophy

dharma

Cosmic moral order

  • karmaSpiritual cause and effect
  • mokshaRelease from rebirth cycle
  • atmanEternal inner self

samsara · maya · ahimsa · vedanta

deities

Vishnu

Hindu deity of preservation

  • ShivaHindu god of dissolution
  • BrahmaHindu god of creation
  • GaneshaElephant-headed Hindu deity

Krishna · Lakshmi · Saraswati · Kali · Durga · Parvati · Rama · Indra · Agni · Radha

scriptures

Vedas

Hindu canonical texts

Mahabharata · Shruti · Sutras · Agamas

festivals

Diwali

Hindu festival of lights

  • HoliSpring festival of colors
  • NavratriNine-night Hindu festival
practice

puja

Hindu worship ritual

pilgrimage · fasting · aarti · darshan · tilak · vibhuti · mala · diksha

sacred

temple

Sacred worship structure

Kashi · banyan · lotus · cow · om

society

caste

Inherited social division

  • varnaHindu hereditary social order
  • guruRevered authority figure
  • panditHindu learned man

swami · sadhu · untouchability · dowry · joint family · arranged marriage

Categories
Opposites
religious identity

HinduMuslim

Adherent of Islam

Christian · Buddhist · atheist · Sikh · Jain

Phrases
Family

Hinduism, Hindus

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