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.
Overview:
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 practiced, including Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, and Jainism, providing insights into their respective populations based on census data.
A comprehensive list of religions practised 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 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
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Hindu Population in India 2023
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 religion, with India being home to about 94% of the world’s Hindus.
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Muslim Population in India 2023
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.
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Christian Population in India 2023
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.
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Sikh Population in India 2023
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.
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Buddhist Population in India 2023
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.
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Jain Population in India 2023
In the 2011 census, out of the 1.21 billion population, 4.5 million or 45 lakh identified as followers of the Jain religion, 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.
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. Jaism 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.
Zoroastrian
In India, the Zoroastrian religion is found mainly in Mumbai and places like it. Most Parsis are wealthy, well educated, and believe that humans are God’s helpers.
Animist
An animist is a tribal religion 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.
FAQs
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, 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.
Conclusion
Diversity is a hallmark of India, which manifests itself in the realm of religion as well. Different religions are practised 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.
