Editing Hindus

[[File:Malviya_dwipa_island_across_Har_ki_Pauri_during_Kavad_mela,_Haridwar.jpg|thumb|Malviya dwipa island across Har ki Pauri during Kavad mela, Haridwar]] [[File:A_Hindu_wedding_ritual_in_progress_b.jpg|left|thumb|A Hindu wedding ritual in progress b]] [[File:HinduDevoteeNepal.jpg|thumb|HinduDevoteeNepal]] [[File:Hinduism_percent_population_in_each_nation_World_Map_Hindu_data_by_Pew_Research.svg|thumb|Hinduism percent population in each nation World Map Hindu data by Pew Research]] '''Hinduism''' is one of the world's oldest [[religion]]s, with a rich tapestry of [[culture]], [[philosophy]], and [[tradition]]. It is predominantly practiced in the [[Indian subcontinent]], including countries such as [[India]], [[Nepal]], and [[Bangladesh]], with significant populations in [[Fiji]], [[Bhutan]], [[Mauritius]], and among the [[diaspora]] communities around the world. Hinduism encompasses a broad range of beliefs, practices, and denominations, making it a complex and diverse religion.

==Origins and History==
The origins of Hinduism can be traced back to the ancient [[Indus Valley Civilization]], around 2500 BCE. However, it was the [[Vedic period]] (c. 1500 - 500 BCE) that laid down the foundational texts and rituals that would come to define the religion. These texts, known as the [[Vedas]], are considered [[sacred scripture]] by Hindus and form the bedrock of Hindu thought.

==Beliefs and Practices==
Hinduism is a polytheistic religion with a pantheon of gods and goddesses, the most prominent of which are [[Brahma]] (the creator), [[Vishnu]] (the preserver), and [[Shiva]] (the destroyer). However, it also accommodates monotheistic, pantheistic, and monistic beliefs. Central to Hindu belief is the concept of [[dharma]] (righteous living), [[karma]] (the law of cause and effect), [[samsara]] (the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth), and [[moksha]] (liberation from the cycle of samsara).

Hindu practices include rituals such as [[puja]] (worship), meditation, family-oriented rites of passage, annual festivals, and pilgrimages. Important festivals include [[Diwali]] (the Festival of Lights), [[Holi]] (the Festival of Colors), and [[Navaratri]] (a festival dedicated to the goddess Durga).

==Sacred Texts==
In addition to the Vedas, Hinduism has a vast body of sacred literature, including the [[Upanishads]] (philosophical texts that explore the concepts found in the Vedas), the [[Mahabharata]] and [[Ramayana]] (epic narratives), and the [[Bhagavad Gita]] (a 700-verse Hindu scripture that is part of the Mahabharata).

==Denominations==
The major denominations within Hinduism are [[Vaishnavism]] (worship of Vishnu), [[Shaivism]] (worship of Shiva), [[Shaktism]] (worship of the goddess, primarily Durga), and [[Smartism]] (a tradition that reveres all the major Hindu deities equally).

==Hindu Society and Culture==
Hindu society is traditionally structured around the concept of [[varna]], or class, which divides society into four main groups: [[Brahmins]] (priests and teachers), [[Kshatriyas]] (warriors and rulers), [[Vaishyas]] (traders and agriculturists), and [[Shudras]] (laborers). This system, along with the practice of [[jati]] (caste), has evolved over time and remains a subject of significant social and political debate and reform.

Hindu culture has made significant contributions to the fields of [[mathematics]], [[astronomy]], [[architecture]], [[literature]], [[music]], and [[dance]]. The concept of [[zero]], for instance, was developed by ancient Hindu mathematicians.

==Contemporary Hinduism==
Today, Hinduism continues to be a vibrant and evolving tradition, facing challenges and undergoing transformations in the modern world. Issues such as the caste system, the role of women in society, and the impact of globalization are subjects of ongoing discussion and change within Hindu communities.

[[Category:Hinduism]]
[[Category:Indian religions]]
[[Category:Asian religions]]

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