Hinduism has around 900 million followers worldwide, making it the world’s fourth largest religion.  In Britain today, there are around 400,000 Hindus.  The main centre of Hinduism is India, where 80 per cent of the population consider themselves Hindu.

Hinduism is a very old tradition, dating back over 3000 years.  It was founded in modern day Pakistan near to the River Indus; and its followers believe in a universal soul or God called Brahman.  Hindus believe that life follows a cycle pattern of birth, death, and rebirth, all of which is determined by karma.  Similar to the belief of karma in Buddhism, Hindus believe that you reap what you sow, and if you lead a bad life, your next existence will be worse than your current one.

Hinduism is not one single religion.  It is, rather, the practises of a number of different religious groups.  All these groups, however, believe that Brahman:

is present in all things
is the creator of all things
is present in the human spirit as the soul (‘atman’)

Hindus worship individually on the whole, rather than communally, although this is not always the case.  Worship involves making personal offerings, with worshippers repeating the names of their favourite gods.  Hindus offer fruit, water, incense and flowers to God.  Most Hindus will have a shrine in the home which they use to worship; and many Hindus will worship three times daily.  Acts of communal worship are undertaken at a temple.

Hindus make pilgrimages to religious places such as rivers, temples and mountains; most of which are situated within India.  Every twelve years, Hindus will gather for a ritual bathing at the Kumbh Mela festival in Allahabad, where the rivers Ganges and Jumba converge.  The worshippers bathe in the waters, believing that their sins will be washed away.

Hinduism still uses a caste system, and whilst not as strong as was the case some years ago, still proves a powerful influence especially in rural areas.  A caste is a social class, and families are considered part of a particular caste depending upon their occupation.  It is still frowned upon (although not illegal) for men and women to marry outside of their caste.