Welcome to the "Believe it or Not- That's Incredible India!" series. India is home to some of the most astonishing wonders in the world. The rich culture, heritage, food, scriptures, architectural marvels and scores of known and unknown facts come together to create this multicolored melange that is India. Throughout this month, read about the various believe it or not facts about India and know what goes into the making of this incredible country!
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India is a country of many faiths. Did you know that there are more than 24 lakh places of worship in India?! Also, did you know that the four popular faiths which are cumulatively followed by over 25% of the world’s population – Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism - originated in India?
Hinduism is one of the world’s oldest faiths and is said have originated about 4000 years ago in India. What is unique to Hinduism is there’s neither a founder of the faith nor an exact date of origin and yet it is the third largest followed faith in the world with about 900 million followers! About 80% of the country’s population are followers of Hinduism.
Jainism originated in 600 BC, Buddhism in 500 BC and Sikhism in 1500 CE.
Other than these four faiths that originated in India, there are numerous other faiths that are followed here.
Islam is India's and the world's second largest religion. There are more than 3 lakh mosques in India which is higher than the number of mosques in any other country including the Muslim world.
Judaism came to India in 200 BC and Christianity in 52 AD. There are more than 5000 churches in India and the oldest European church in India dates back to the 15th century.
The Zoroastrians or Parses as they are called are Iranian descendents who immigrated to India in 7th century AD.
India is therefore known as a spiritual land where everyone is free to practice their own faith. Isn’t it amazing that India is virtually a beautiful kaleidoscope of various faiths that make its culture and heritage diverse and yet so rich and magnificent?
Believe it or not – That’s Incredible India!
Very interesting! Happy a-z!
ReplyDeleteNice one.. loved it
ReplyDeletehttp://kavisthoughts.blogspot.in/2016/04/friends-friendship-n-more-z-2016.html
That's the one thing that we can all be proud of! That so many faiths can exist hand in hand. Truly incredible India :)
ReplyDeleteIndia is an amazing multi cultured and multi religious country. I just wish politians would stop playing the religion card to break out nation.
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Co-host Pam's Unconventional Alliance Team
A Whimsical Medley
Twinkle Eyed Traveller
Truly beautiful , all of it Shubhangi. That is the real heart of India. Max muller is so right :) Also I strongly believe that conversions must be stopped legally and everyone allowed to follow at peace whatever they are born into :)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.sunilavigauthor.blogspot.com.au/2016/04/fullara-devi-sati-and-shiva-alphabet-f.html
India is indeed incredible...
ReplyDeleteBikram's
24 lakh?? WOW!
ReplyDeleteI do not believe in religion though. But faith yes, it comes from within.
Isn't our country the most amazing! Despite all odds, we are the envy of all other cultures. The diversity is what makes us unique. The last image was lovely.
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@KalaRavi16 from
Relax-N-Rave
That was truly a delight to read... It feels terrific to read such vivid details about our country!
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Geets
True! I know of an area in Mumbai, where there are three places of worship for three different religions! Truly incredible :)
ReplyDelete24 Lakh places of worship... incredible India indeed!
ReplyDeleteThis is my most favourite thing about our country - that we are a secular nation. It never ceases to amaze me how we have managed to live together in a thriving democracy despite so many differences.
ReplyDelete24 Lakhs! Now this is some information to digest! Truly India is 'Unity in Diversity'. Isn't it?
ReplyDeleteNibha @ Expressions