In India, religion is a way of life, the birthplace of many of the world's major faiths and the home of many more. Besides temples, mosques, churches, and roadside shrines, it is also found in social laws, cultural practices, and politics. On this blog you can find an overview of all the religions practised in India.
The article delves into the diverse religious landscape of India, exploring the intricate tapestry of beliefs that shape the country’s cultural and social fabric. It highlights the major Religions in India practiced, including Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, and Jainism, providing insights into their respective populations based on census data.
A comprehensive list of Religions in India practiced in India includes Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, Jainism, Judaism, and Bahaism.
In addition to Somnath Temples and Babri Masjids, this meticulously researched book also discusses Tirthankaras and Akali Movements, Shariat, Eucharist, and Shavuot. Religions in India are placed in their historical context, tracing their evolution. The history of key founders, saints, patrons, mystics, deities, and philosophers is presented, with descriptions of lesser-known and regional forms of worship and detailed descriptions of important festivals, customs, and rituals.
State-wise Religion in India
|
State |
Hinduism | Islam | Christianity | Sikhism | Buddhism |
Others |
| Andhra Pradesh | 90.87% | 7.33% | 1.38% | 0.02% | 0.01% | 0.39% |
| Arunachal Pradesh | 29.04% | 1.95% | 30.26% | 0.24% | 11.77% | 26.74% |
| Assam | 61.47% | 34.22% | 3.74% | 0.07% | 0.18% | 0.32% |
| Bihar | 82.69% | 16.87% | 0.12% | 0.02% | 0.02% | 0.28% |
| Chhattisgarh | 93.25% | 2.02% | 1.92% | 0.27% | 0.28% | 2.26% |
| Goa | 66.08% | 8.33% | 25.10% | 0.10% | 0.08% | 0.31% |
| Gujarat | 88.57% | 9.67% | 0.52% | 0.10% | 0.05% | 1.09% |
| Haryana | 87.46% | 7.03% | 0.20% | 4.91% | 0.03% | 0.37% |
| Himachal Pradesh | 95.17% | 2.18% | 0.18% | 1.16% | 1.15% | 0.16% |
| Jharkhand | 67.83% | 14.53% | 4.30% | 0.22% | 0.03% | 13.09% |
| Karnataka | 84.00% | 12.92% | 1.87% | 0.05% | 0.16% | 1.00% |
| Kerala | 54.73% | 26.56% | 18.38% | 0.01% | 0.01% | 0.31% |
| Madhya Pradesh | 90.89% | 6.57% | 0.29% | 0.21% | 0.03% | 2.01% |
| Maharashtra | 79.83% | 11.54% | 0.96% | 0.20% | 5.81% | 1.66% |
| Manipur | 41.39% | 8.40% | 41.29% | 0.05% | 0.25% | 8.62% |
| Meghalaya | 11.53% | 4.40% | 74.59% | 0.10% | 0.33% | 9.05% |
| Mizoram | 2.75% | 1.35% | 87.16% | 0.03% | 8.51% | 0.20% |
| Nagaland | 8.75% | 2.47% | 87.93% | 0.10% | 0.34% | 0.41% |
| Orissa | 93.63% | 2.17% | 2.77% | 0.05% | 0.03% | 1.35% |
| Punjab | 38.49% | 1.93% | 1.26% | 57.69% | 0.01% | 0.62% |
| Rajasthan | 88.49% | 9.07% | 0.14% | 1.27% | 0.02% | 1.01% |
| Sikkim | 57.76% | 1.62% | 9.91% | 0.31% | 27.39% | 3.01% |
| Tamil Nadu | 87.58% | 5.86% | 6.12% | 0.02% | 0.02% | 0.40% |
| Telangana | 85.10% | 12.69% | 1.27% | 0.09% | 0.09% | 0.78% |
| Tripura | 83.40% | 8.60% | 4.35% | 0.03% | 3.41% | 0.21% |
| Uttar Pradesh | 79.73% | 19.26% | 0.18% | 0.32% | 0.10% | 0.41% |
| Uttarakhand | 82.97% | 13.95% | 0.37% | 2.34% | 0.15% | 0.22% |
| West Bengal | 70.54% | 27.01% | 0.72% | 0.07% | 0.31% | 1.35% |
Urban India Population Religion-Wise
|
Religion |
Percentage |
Estimated |
| Hindu | 74.82% | 28.22 Crores |
| Muslim | 18.23% | 6.87 Crores |
| Christian | 2.96% | 1.12 Crores |
| Sikh | 1.57% | 59.02 Lakhs |
| Buddhist | 0.96% | 36.28 Lakhs |
| Jain | 0.94% | 35.47 Lakhs |
| Other Religion | 0.20% | 7.39 Lakhs |
| Undisclosed | 0.32% | 12.24 Lakhs |
Rural India Population Religion-Wise
| Religion | Percentage | Estimated |
| Hindu | 82.05% | 68.41 Crores |
| Muslim | 12.41% | 10.35 Crores |
| Christian | 2.00% | 1.67 Crores |
| Sikh | 1.79% | 1.49 Crores |
| Buddhist | 0.58% | 48.15 Lakhs |
| Jain | 0.11% | 9.04 Lakhs |
| Other Religion | 0.86% | 72 Lakhs |
| Undisclosed | 0.20% | 16.44 Lakhs |
Indian Religious Groups
Check out some of India’s major religious groups
-
Hindu Population in India
In the 2011 census, out of India’s 1.21 billion population, slightly over 966 million (79.80%) identified as Hindu. In 2023, approximately 110 crore people follow Hinduism in India. Hinduism is the predominant Religions in India, with India being home to about 94% of the world’s Hindus.
-
Muslim Population in India
As of the 2011 census, out of the 1.21 billion population, 172 million (14.23%) identified as Muslims or followers of Islam. By 2023, approximately 21 crores of people in India are Muslims. India hosts one of the world’s largest Muslim populations, second only to Indonesia.
-
Christian Population in India
In the 2011 census, out of India’s 1.21 billion population, slightly over 27.8 million (2.3%) identified as Christians. In 2023, approximately 3.22 crores of people follow Christianity in India. Christianity has a significant presence in states like Nagaland, Mizoram, and Meghalaya.
-
Sikh Population in India
As of the 2011 census, out of the 1.21 billion population, slightly over 20.8 million (1.72%) identified as Sikh. In 2023, approximately 2.4 crores of people follow Sikhism in India. Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana, Delhi, Uttarakhand, and Jammu & Kashmir are notable regions with Sikh populations.
-
Buddhist Population in India
According to the 2011 census, 8.5 million (0.70%) identified as Buddhists in India. In 2023, approximately 10 million or 1 crore people follow Buddhism in India, with significant populations in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and the North-East states.
-
Jain Population in India
In the 2011 census, out of the 1.21 billion population, 4.5 million or 45 lakh identified as followers of the Jain Religions in India, constituting 0.37% of the total population. In 2023, approximately 52 lakhs of people follow Jainism in India, with major Jain populations reported in Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi.
Our Country’s Minority Population Also Practises Judaism, Animism, and Zoroastrianism.
1. Judaism
They believe that God and humans are bound by a treaty. Jainism follows a three-fold path known as “Tri Ratna” in order to achieve salvation. Jainism opposes monotheism and is similar to Hinduism in that they worship cows and visit temples like in Hinduism. Jainism ensures that no living body, whether it is a man, animal, insect, or plant, is killed or harmed. Even when walking, they take the utmost care not to harm any insects. It is believed that killing any living being will delay their liberation from the cycle of birth and death. They live in areas such as Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.
2. Zoroastrian
In India, the Zoroastrian Religions in India is found mainly in Mumbai and places like it. Most Parsis are wealthy, well educated, and believe that humans are God’s helpers.
3. Animist
An animist is a tribal Religions in India in which spirits, ghosts, and souls are worshipped. As a result, they worship things like trees, stones, and hills, believing that all things have souls. They believe that every place is a place of worship, as it is the seat of the spirits that inhabit the places. In addition to stones, rivers, ponds, plants, animals, and mountains, they also include dead bodies as spirits’ places. According to their beliefs, shortages of water, low fertility of soil, diseases, damage to crops, and higher death rates are caused by the worship of evil spirits.
Conclusion
Diversity is a hallmark of India, which manifests itself in the realm of religion as well. Different Religions in India are practiced here, but they still flourish harmoniously and without compromising the sovereignty of the country despite their differences. Our country needs to maintain peace and harmony among all religions, and all religions are respected equally.
FAQs on Religions in India
Which religion is most in India 2023?
As of 2023, Hinduism is the most practiced religion in India.
How many religions are there 2023?
There are numerous religions worldwide in 2023, with major ones being Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Judaism and others.
How many religions are in India?
India is home to several Religions in India, but the major ones include Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism and Jainism.
What religion is the most followed 2023?
Globally, Christianity and Islam are among the most followed religions in 2023.
What is the oldest religion?
Hinduism is considered one of the oldest religions, with roots dating back thousands of years.
Which religion will be first in 2050?
Projections suggest that Islam may surpass Christianity in terms of global population by 2050.
What are the 7 main religions?
The seven major religions include Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Judaism and Jainism.
Which religion is growing?
Islam is often cited as one of the fastest-growing religions globally.
Are Sikhs religious?
Yes, Sikhism is a religion founded in the 15th century in South Asia.
Who founded Hinduism?
Hinduism does not have a single founder as it is a diverse collection of traditions and beliefs.
Which is the newest religion?
Among the newer religions is Baha'i Faith, founded in the 19th century.
Which religion is growing fast?
Islam and Christianity are considered to be growing at a relatively fast pace in terms of global population.
Which is the largest religion in India in 2024?
Hinduism remains the predominant religion in India.
What is the fastest-growing religion in 2024?
The six religions experiencing the most rapid growth globally include Islam (1.84%), the Baháʼí Faith (1.70%), Sikhism (1.62%), Jainism (1.57%), Hinduism (1.52%), and Christianity (1.38%), primarily due to their high birth rates.
How many Hindus are in India in 2024?
India hosts the world's largest Hindu population, nearly 1.094 billion people, constituting 78.9% of its vast population. Furthermore, approximately 95% of all Hindus worldwide reside in India.
Which religion will be the majority in India in 2050?
India's sizable Muslim community is expected to grow rapidly. While Hindus will remain the majority, projections suggest that by 2050, India will have the world's largest Muslim population, surpassing Indonesia.
Are Muslims growing in India?
It is determined that during the studied period, the Muslim population in India grew by 43.15%, rising from 9.84% to 14.09%. In contrast, the share of the Hindu population decreased by 7.82%, declining from 84.68% to 78.06% between 1950 and 2015.
What are the top 3 biggest religions in India?
The top three largest religions in India are Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity. Hinduism, with its ancient roots and cultural influence, constitutes the majority. Islam, the second-largest, is prominent in northern and western regions. Christianity, the third-largest, has significant followers in southern and northeastern states, contributing to India's religious diversity.
How many Muslims leave Islam every year?
According to a Pew Research Center survey, approximately 100,000 Muslims in the US renounce Islam annually, with a corresponding number converting to the faith. This pattern mirrors trends observed in Western Europe, where conversions into and out of Islam seem to offset each other.
Why is Islam so popular?
Islam's popularity can be attributed to several factors. Its emphasis on monotheism, clear moral guidelines, and comprehensive way of life appeals to many. Additionally, Islam's global presence, cultural impact, and the growth of Muslim communities contribute to its popularity worldwide.
How many Hindus convert to Islam every year?
According to a ministry report, the number of individuals embracing Islam has shown a consistent rise. The figures indicate 21,654 new converts in 2019, 41,441 in 2020, 27,333 in 2021, 93,899 in 2022, and 163,319 in the past year.
