Introduction to Indian Culture and Tradition

India is known for its culture and tradition. India’s culture comprises many old traditions, beliefs, religions, places, etc. India as well preserved its old culture and traditions in their original shape and versions. The culture of India comprises different kinds of festivals, clothing, old architecture, different religions, different music from different parts of India, different types of dances from different parts of the country, different and traditional languages, food, art, and of course their different lifestyles.

Different Types of Religion in Indian Culture

India is a country where you can find people of different religions living in the same country, enjoying together, and celebrating each other festivals with the same joy and happiness. India comprises many religions like Baha’i, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Sikhism, and many others.

As India has so many religions, the major religions found in India are Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Jainism, Judaism, Sikhism, and Zoroastrianism.

While India has 3 main religious groups Hindus, Muslims, and Christians.

India’s Oldest Religion

According to the 2011 census, 79.8% of the population of India practices Hinduism, 14.2% adheres to Islam, 2.3% adheres to Christianity, 1.7% adheres to Sikhism, 0.7% adheres to Buddhism and 0.4% adheres to Jainism. Zoroastrianism, Sanamahism, and Judaism also have an ancient history in India, and each has several thousands of Indian adherents.

Hinduism is known to be the oldest religion in Indian history. According to scholars, Hinduism is a fusion of various Indian cultures and traditions. Hinduism has its roots in the historical Vedic religion, it is related to the Indo- Aryan and Harappan cultures and civilizations which evolved into the Brahmanical religion and ideology of the Kuru Kingdom of the Iron Age.

Hindu synthesis emerged after the Vedic period between 500-200 BCE and c.300E in Second Urbanization.

Though India doesn’t only comprises Hinduism but many other religions also, which drive many different festivals which are celebrated by people in India together with the same joy and happiness.

Festivals Celebrated in India

As India comprises my religions it must comprise of many cultures and traditions and it’s a fact that India is famous for following its cultures and traditions and also for its way of celebrating different festivals of different religions together with the same joy and showing the same respect to other cultures as they do for theirs.

India is made up of many states and in each state, there are numerous festivals celebrated every year.

For example:- In Gujarat people celebrate the Modhera Dance festival, Saptak Music festival, Kite festival, Holi, and Navrati. In Haryana, they celebrate the Baisakhi festival, Surajkund craft mela. In Assam, they celebrate the Majuli festival, Dehing Patkai, Amububasi festival, and Bohag, Bihu, and Baishagu festivals. In Jharkhand, they celebrate Sarhul Dansi, Karma, Hal ounhuya, Kohin, and Bandna. In Goa, they celebrate the Fontainha festival of art, Mando, Ghumot fest, Chikalkalo, Gokul Ashtami, A feast of St. Francis Xavier, and Sunburn and this festival is celebrated on the regular basis in Goa. People in Bihar celebrate Bihula, Chhatt Puja, Rajgir dance festival, Madhushravani, Sama Chakeva, and Jiuitputrika. In Punjab they celebrate Lohri. In Sikkim, they celebrate Saga Daura. In Madhya Pradesh, they celebrate the Tejaji fair, the Khajuraho festival. In Jammu and Kashmir, they celebrate the Dosmuchey festival, Matho Narag, Gemis festival, and Galdan Namchot. In Odisha, they celebrate the Konark festival, the International sand art festival. In Kerala, they celebrate Onam, Nishagandhi festival, and Vaikathashtami festival. In Rajasthan, people celebrate Bundi Utsav, Desert festival, Ganguvr festival, Matasya Festival, Braj festival, and Shekharvati festival. In Maharashtra, they celebrate the Kalidas festival, Chikoo Utsav, and Diwali. In Tamil Nadu, they celebrate Pongal, Thaispoosam, Jallikattu festival, and Natyanjali festivals.

Similarly, there are many more states with more festivals and more traditions. And the most interesting fact about these festivals is that they are not just celebrated in just these states but by people living across different states in between different state people there also they celebrate their culture with others as a whole family. As you see Diwali is a festival of Maharashtra but is celebrated in every state of India as their major festival, just because we own our culture in every way and respect them from our hearts. 

Indian culture has not just influenced Indian people but has also made a large impact on foreigners.      

Many foreigners have found Hindu drama as a state of peace of mind. They believe that worshiping Hindu Gods provides them peace, motivation in life, positive energy, and provide them the stability of mind. 

Christopher Isherwood, George Harrison, and Julia Roberts are some famous westerners who found their spiritual homes in India.

Cultures and traditions are something each and everyone should preserve as they give you an identity of your past homes from where we have learned have of our living hoods and have more to create of our generation.

Written by Aditi Singh