Hinduism is one of the world's oldest religions, originating over 4,500 years ago in India. It is practiced by over 900 million Hindus worldwide, with the majority living in India. Hindus believe in Brahman, the supreme spirit or soul, and that individuals have their own souls (atman) that are reincarnated after death. They worship many gods and goddesses like Shiva, Vishnu, and Ganesh. Important Hindu symbols include Aum, the lotus, and the cow. Major festivals celebrated are Diwali, the festival of lights, and Holi, the festival of colors.

1. Hinduism

2. Introduction to Hinduism
● Hinduism is the world’s oldest religion with its roots stretching back 4,500 years to the time of the Indus
Valley Civilisation in North West India
● Hinduism is the religion of the majority of people in India and Nepal. It also exists amoung significant
populations outside of the sub continent and has over 900 million adherents worldwide.
● Today there are more than 800 million Hindu’s
● Hindus describe their religion as sanatana dharma, which means ‘eternal law’ or ‘eternal teaching’. For
Hindus this is a code of duty and behaviour which affects every aspect of their daily lives
● Most Hindus share the same basic belief. They believe in a great soul or spirit, called Brahman, which some
Hindus call God. Braham has no visible shape or form but is present everywhere and in everything
● There are thousands of Hindu Gods and godesses, each of which presents a different aspect of Braham’s
power
● Hindus believe every individual has a soul, called atman. When you die, your soul lives on or is reincarnated,
or reborrn, in another body
● Many Hindus visit a Mandir to worship
● The Hindu act of worship is called puja.
● Worshippers take offereing’s of sweets, fruit, flowers and money, which they give to the preist.

3. Symbols
Aum
or “om”. Hindu’s say that God created the universe by
making this sound. One of the most important symbols.
The Lotus
It stands for the good that is inside everyone and the way
that anyone can rise up to God.
The Cow
This stands for life, non-violence and purity. Hindu’s do not
worship cows, but they are a reminder of life.
The Bindi
Placed between the eyebrowsand is often called the “third
eye”. God sees everything.

4. God’s and Godesses
Shiva:
God of Mercy and compassion. He protects worshippers from evil forces such as ignorance,
greed and anger. He is kind and brings good luck.
Brahma:
God of creation. Brahma’s job was creation of the world and all it’s creatures. Brahma is the
least worshipped God in Hinduism today.
Vishnu:
God of preservation and protection. His job is to restore the balance of good and evil in
troubled times.
Vishnu’s incarnations:
● Matsya (fish)
● Kurma (turtle)
● Varana (boar)
● Narasimha (half lion half half man)
● Vamana (dwarf sage)
● Parasurama (hunter)
● Rama (greatest warrior)
● Krishna (mentally advanced)
● Buddha (all knowing one)

5. RAMA AND SITA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pp59n0So-XE

6. GANESH

7. Ganesh's mother was the goddess Parvati and his father was
the god Shiva. Shiva left to go on the journey, so the lonely
Parvati decided to make a boy out of clay. He then brought
him to life and named him. Shiva was away for many years,
and during that time Ganesh grew from a baby to a young
man.

8. One spring morning Ganesh
was outside when he saw a
stranger with long, matted
hair, wearing animal skin
and with snakes wriggling
about him who wanted to
come into the house.
Ganesh stood in front of him and tried
to stop him because he wanted to
protect his mother but he didn’t know
that it was Shiva, his father. Shiva is
known as a quick-tempered god, and
he didn't like anyone standing in his
way so he took his sword and cut off
the head of Ganesh

9. Parvati came out crying ‘You killed our son!’ Apologetic, Shiva
promised to replace his head with that of the first animal he sees.
After many miles Shiva found and elephant and cut off it’s head to
replace the head of Ganesh.

10. Ganesh is known for is his beautiful handwriting and
good spelling. If you see a picture of him, you will see
that he is holding one of his own tusks, dipped in ink, in
one hand and a scroll of paper in the other.
Hindus pray to Ganesh because they believe he is wise and
he helps at the beginning of new projects or when they start
new things.

11. Festivals
Diwali
● There are many reasons why Diwali is celebrated. Many Hindus remember the ancient story of Rama
and Sita, told in the Ramayana, one of the most sacred Hindu texts.
● Diwali is also a time when Hindus, especially those from business communities, worship Lakshmi, the
goddess of wealth and fortune
● Diwali is at the start of the new year
● In India, Diwali is traditional celebrated over five days in October or November, each sih its own
customs and ceremonies
● In other countries, such as Britain, celebrations usually take place over the nearest weekend
● Joyful, popular festival. People exchange cards and gifts of sweets, jewellery and new clothes
● Visit the Mandie for Diwali puja or perform puja at home
● Diwali is the festival of lights
● People decorate their homes and mandirs with divas, small clay lamps filled with oil. The divas are
intended to guide Rama and Sita safely home, and to welcome Lakshmi.

12. Holi
● Holi celebrates the coming of spring, usually in February or March and begins with the siting
of the full moon.
● Traditionally the full moon signifies when the farmers in northern India brought in the first
wheat harvest of the year.
● The festival has connections with the god, Krishna.
● The festival usually lasts 2-3 days in India and for one day only in Britain (usually at the
weekend.)
● On the first night of Holi - Bonfires are lit as a reminder of the story of Holika and to signify
how good triumps over evil.
● They gather round the fire and throw coconuts and rice into the flames as offerings to the
gods.
● Another ritual they may do is spray each other with coloured paints and powder. This is to
remind people of the story of how mischief-loving Krishna once drenched his friends.
Diwalli ⇨ ⇦ Holi