1. Hinduism Josh STUDENT & Bobby STUDENT

2. Number of Adherents 837,000,000 followers (13% of the world’s population) 22.8% growth from 1988 – 1991 20% growth from 1991 – 2001 827,578,868 Hindus in India (82% of population) Hinduism was developed around India

3. Hindu Gods Brahma Shiva Vishnu Devi Devi Ganesa Numerous other deities

4. Holy Works Vedas Agamas Puranas

5. Castes Brahmin – the priests, academics Kshatriya – rulers, military Vaishya – farmers, landlords, and merchants Sudra – peasants, servants, and workers in non-polluting jobs

6. Communion With Gods Meditation Asceticism Puja

7. Holy Days Maha Shivaratri – festival dedicated to Shiva (mid February) Holi – carnival like celebration featuring bright colors, bonfires, and pilgrimages dedicated to Krishna or Kama (early March) Ramnavami – anniversary of the birth of Rama (late March) Dusserah – festival celebrating the triumph of Good over Evil (early November) Diwali – festival of lights dedicated to Lakshmi (mid November)

8. Birth Rites Samskaras 1-9 Garbhadan - conception Pumsavan – ceremony performed when pregnancy first apparent Seemantonayan – parting the mother’s hair to special music Jatakarma – child given secret name, taste of honey & ghee, and breast feeding begins after reciting mantras Nama-karana – child given formal name; performed on 11 th day Nishkramana – first time outside Annaprashana – first meal of solid food Chudakarana – first hair cut Karna-vedha – piercing of the ears; 7 th or 8 th month

9. Rites of Passage Upanayan & Vedarambha – thread ceremony; child is authorized to perform all rituals and studies of the Vedas begin with the Guru

10. Marriage Ceremony Pre-Marriage A day before the wedding the palm and feet of the bride are decorated with Mehndi. A canopy decorated with flowers is built at the place of the wedding. On the wedding morning, various rituals are performed on both the bride and groom. They are anointed with various oils and then bathed to the chanting of Vedic mantras.

11. Marriage Ceremony Wedding Day Baarat Commencement of Marriage Kanya Danam Vivaaha (Wedding) Paanigrahana Laya Homa Agni Parinaya Asmarohana Saptapadi Hradayasparsha Mangal Sutra Dharana Suhaaq Aashirvaad

12. Marriage Ceremony Post-Wedding Grahapravesha Talambra Arundhati Darshanam Dhruva Darshan

13. Death Rituals Ceremonial Cleansing Chanting Cremation Ash Collection Post-Death Ceremonies

14. Women in Clergy Women are now allowed in the clergy. This is a new concept. Women are in demand and preferred in some cases.

15. Sources http://www.religioustolerance.org/hinduism.ht m http://www.religioustolerance.org/hinduism.ht m http://www.shaivam.org http://www.mailerindia.com/hindu/veda/index. php?death http://www.mailerindia.com/hindu/veda/index. php?death http://www.hindunet.org/