Aug 08, 2002 10:58 AM
1841 Views
(Updated Aug 08, 2002 11:04 AM)
I am a resident of India.Hindu monk Swami Vivekanand once said where all religion ends Indian Culture begins.It is true.
As the birthplace of four major religions that exist even today, India is rightfully known as the land of spirituality and philosophy. The most dominant religion in India today is Hinduism with almost 81% of the people being Hindus. One of the truly ancient religions of the world, Hinduism is believed to have developed nearly 5000 years ago.
Around 500 BC two other religions made their mark in India: Buddhism and Jainism and today while these two religions together account for no more than 1.2% of the population, their impact on Indian culture and sensibility is far in excess of that. Between them these three ancient religions - Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism - moulded Indian philosophy and thinking. One comparatively new religion in India is Sikhism which was established in the 15th century. Today about 2% of Indians are Sikhs. There were other attempts to create new religions in India, and though they did not always succeed, they add to the mystic lore and spiritual depth of the land. For example, the great Mughal emperor, Akbar, who reigned between 1556 and 1605, tried to establish a new religion,Din-E- Elahi. Sadly, it did not survive.
Along with the religions that developed in India, there are followers of non-Indian religions as well. Islam is the chosen faith of a hefty 12% of India's population. Christians account for more than 2%, and Zoroastrians (Parsis) though a tiny minority, still make their presence felt. There are also a few thousand Jews in India.
This is a GREAT country that will enchant you with her beauty and diversity, delight you with her colorful pageantry, enrich you with her culture, stun you with her modernity, embrace you with her warmth, and overwhelm you with her hospitality.
India never invaded any country in her last 10000 years of history.
India is the world's largest, oldest, continuous civilization.
Varanasi, also known as Benares, was called ''the ancient city'' when Lord Buddha visited it in 500 B.C.E, and is the oldest, continuously inhabited city in the world today.
India is the world's largest democracy.
Almost 400 million people voted in India's last national election in 1999.
India invented the Number System. Zero was invented by Aryabhatta.
The World's first university was established in Takshashila in 700BC. More than 10,500 students from all over the world studied more than 60 subjects. The University of Nalanda built in the 4th century BC was one of the greatest achievements of ancient India in the field of education.
Sanskrit is the mother of all the European languages. Sanskrit is the most suitable language for computer software - a report in Forbes magazine, July 1987.
Sanskrit has a phrase ''Atithi devo bhava'' - The Guest is God and this is how you can expect to be treated. Come... feast your senses!
