An astrologer is sought out who is ingenious enough to force the defiant heavenly bodies to conform, the muhurta is calculated, and the marital liaison is forged without further ado. 'Hinduism' Is Not a Term Used in the Scriptures. Across the sweep of Indian religious history, at least five elements have given shape to the Hindu religious tradition: doctrine, practice, society, story, and devotion. Instead, women are recognized as the most important aspect of human society. According to ancient tradition, Thomas arrived on the shores of the Malabar coast and preached the Gospel several centuries before it reached Western Europe and a millennium and a half before the Gospel took root in the Americas. The Absolute is the crown and fulfillment of all worldly goals. India’s Syriac Christians claim St. Thomas the Apostle as their lather in faith. Some texts condemn it as “a deep dark well,” in which one loses all sense of spiritual direction and becomes hopelessly entrapped in maya (illusion) .These texts are especially favoured by ascetic traditions. Hindu Culture. Evidence of Hinduism’s early antecedents is derived from archaeology, comparative philology, and comparative religion. Hinduism Hinduism is the world’s oldest organized religion existing for 4500 years. In-depth articles about the world's oldest religion, with particular focus on Hinduism's history, culture, beliefs, practices, festivals, holidays, and more. They tie in with the meaning of the common Indian greeting, Namaste, “Salutation to thee!” They also communicate Indian hospitality and warmth readily shown to strangers. If you were to look at the people walking near these sacred animals, you would see many of them touching the body of the animal and then touching their own forehead and chest. Shiva as Lord of the Dance (Nataraja) Beliefs made visible: Buddhist art in South Asia. Is it possible to separate two sides of a single coin? The oldest evidence of religious practices in India date back approximately to 5500 BCE… A person had little social mobility in India, and the only way to move ahead was through the next life. The Hindu : Women still suffer `forced seclusion' here. Non-Hindus – especially Christian, Muslim and, before 1947, Jewish communities – would differ strikingly from Hindus in that their women wore no such symbol. Each of the religions of the world has its own culture, with many customs, traditions and refined qualities. Make sure the person you are negotiating with is senior enough to commit to business and partnership decisions. 01.Significance of Namaste - Joining both palms together to greet. Finally, others, perhaps the majority, have simply accepted the term Hinduism or its analogues, especially hindu dharma (Hindu moral and religious law), in various Indic languages. These efforts at self-explanation add a new layer to an elaborate tradition of explaining practice and doctrine that dates to the 1st millennium bce. Dropping infants from the roof for good luck. Hindus believe in Brahman as the one true God who is formless, limitless, all-inclusive, and eternal. Muslims in India seem to have succeeded in keeping the system at bay, but not so with all the disciples of Christ! Religiously the Vedas were given by Brahma. Hinduism, major world religion originating on the Indian subcontinent and comprising several and varied systems of philosophy, belief, and ritual. The foundations of Hinduism can be found in the teachings of anonymous ancient sages or rishis, which were originally transmitted orally. The culture vultures hate pre-marital sex . The stupa. It was an auspicious symbol that singled out non-widows. Indeed, the West pales in comparison to the stunning richness and variety of India’s different regions, peoples, languages, religions and subcultures. Veda, Brahmans, and issues of religious authority, Other sources: the process of “Sanskritization”, The prehistoric period (3rd and 2nd millennia, Religion in the Indus valley civilization, The Vedic period (2nd millennium–7th century, Challenges to Brahmanism (6th–2nd century, The rise of the major sects: Vaishnavism, Shaivism, and Shaktism, The spread of Hinduism in Southeast Asia and the Pacific, Questions of influence on the Mediterranean world, The rise of devotional Hinduism (4th–11th century), The challenge of Islam and popular religion, The modern period (from the 19th century), The religious situation after independence, Elaborations of text and ritual: the later Vedas, Philosophical sutras and the rise of the Six Schools of philosophy, Tantric and Shakta views of nature, humanity, and the sacred, Tantric and Shakta ethical and social doctrines, Divination, spirit possession, and healing, Rituals, social practices, and institutions, Renunciants and the rejection of social order, Cultural expressions: visual arts, theatre, and dance, Religious principles in sculpture and painting, Religious organization of sacred architecture, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hinduism, CRW Flags - Flag of Annapolis, Maryland, United States, Hinduism - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), Hinduism - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up), Gilbert John Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, 4th earl of Minto. Read More. Shiva as Lord of the Dance (Nataraja) Is the caste system Indian or Hindu? Check enable-javascript.com for more informations. The Progression of Beliefs: ~the Hindu caste system. These five elements, to adopt a typical Hindu metaphor, are understood as relating to one another as strands in an elaborate braid. Professor of Religion and Anthropology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, N.Y. Scholars regard Hinduism as a combination of different Indian cultures and traditions, with diverse roots. Culture. This shows that Hinduism exerted a profound influence on Malay culture before the coming of Islam to Malaysia. This is why beef remains a taboo food in mainstream Hindu … In Hinduism, the cow is regarded as a symbol of ahimsa (non-violence), mother goddess and bringer of good fortune and wealth. Sacred space and symbolic form at Lakshmana Temple, Khajuraho (India) The Historical Buddha. My wife and I know Indian Catholics in Kerala and Karnataka who make important decisions only after consulting astrologers or palmists. If the Indus valley civilization (3rd–2nd millennium bce) was the earliest source of these traditions, as some scholars hold, then Hinduism is the oldest living religion on Earth. Hinduism and Premarital Sex. Hinduism is widely practiced in South Asia mainly in India and Nepal.Hinduism is the oldest religion in the world, and Hindus refer to it as Sanātana Dharma, "the eternal tradition," or the "eternal way," beyond human history. But from well before the birth of Christ, when Vedic Hindu sacrifices had become the norm for the upper three varnas of Hindu society – the brahmans, kshatriyas and vaishyas – the “right time” was a crucial factor in the success or failure of such sacrifices. Hindu communities organize summer camps, which are part of the wider youth culture of the United States. Performing life cycle rituals. Therefore, Hinduism encourages being vegetarian and avoiding the eating of any animal meat or flesh. Such “special pleading” is a mark of all religions, asking to be considered unique and special. Malaysia is a multicultural society, with Malays, Chinese and Indians living side by side. Hinduism, major world religion originating on the Indian subcontinent and comprising several and varied systems of philosophy, belief, and ritual. This acknowledgement of seniority is shown by sitting to the left of elders, never sitting while they are standing, bringing gifts on special occasions, not challen… Some have rejected it in favour of indigenous formulations. For the deity is to be found in loving devotion everywhere and in all things, persons and happenings. Interesting, he sees such a practice as well as his periodic visits to his favorite palmist, not to be inconsistent with his Catholic faith! However, among some Protestants, particularly after India’s independence in 1947, and among Catholics, especially after Vatican II, a change has been noticeable in many Indian Christian communities. Millions of educated Hindus are taught these talking points, often ideas derived from some insignificant truism miscast into a vast theory of cultural significance. The decision to donate or receive organs is left to the individual. There are four major goals that Hindus are directed to pursue in life. Or before the bus begins its ascent of a particularly steep mountain or hill – where accidents are frequent enough – a quiet offering or prayerful devotion is often made. There are thousands of castes in India, despite what scholars correctly say about there being only four varnas (strata), according to the classical texts of Hinduism. Summer camps allow youth to learn about their Hindu backgrounds in engaging ways: performing pujas, practicing yoga, dance and music, doing sports, plays, and performances. For members of the upper castes, a principal characteristic of Hinduism has traditionally been a recognition of the Veda, the most ancient body of Indian religious literature, as an absolute authority revealing fundamental and unassailable truth. But at some point in the latter half of the present century it has become fashionable even for non-Hindu women to wear the kumkum as a decorative ornament. Yet a common thread among all […] Hinduism is more than a religion. Brahmans (priests) are at the top of the social caste system and at … Hindu temples. Hinduism. We have been serving the world community since 1999. Nor do Hindus have a simple set of rules to follow like the Ten Commandments. Traditionally, people are born into a certain caste, or class, which can never change. Since the late 19th century, Hindus have reacted to the term Hinduism in several ways. India’s great wealth lies in her people. Hindu art and culture, an introduction. Hindu religion is based on the concept that human and animal spirits come back to earth to live many times in different forms. This stereotype is questionable. Is the “dot” a Hindu feminine ornament? At what auspicious moment, muhurta, should the wedding take place? And where there was felt to be no compromise, Hindu practices have been incorporated as well. Bride Burning If we can not call Hinduism a religion or a culture because of some kind of diversity then we can not call Islam and Christianity a religion or a culture either for the same reason. Are you a Canadian resident? Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. The roots of Hinduism can be traced back much farther—both textually, to the schools of commentary and debate preserved in epic and Vedic writings from the 2nd millennium bce, and visually, through artistic representations of yakshas (luminous spirits associated with specific locales and natural phenomena) and nagas (cobralike divinities), which were worshipped from about 400 bce. When one travels in India by bus, as we did throughout the states of Karnataka, Kerala and Maharashtra, one is far more likely to encounter Hindu India than aboard an airplane. Catholic priests and lay Catholics have traditionally frowned upon anything remotely resembling astrology, horoscopes and palmistry. * a rigid social hierarchy. However, included in this portion of the population are a significant number of tribals who practice primordial religious traditions. Every religion in the world has its own culture and customs, refined qualities and traditions. Populated by an infinite amount of gods, th The Hindu element is so much a part of Indian culture that some of it has influenced non-Hindu aspects of Indian life, manners and customs. This attention to astrological detail naturally influenced other aspects of Hindu life as well. The Meaning of Culture. Since unification in the late eighteenth century and through the hundred-year period of Rana rule, the culture of hill Hindus, Parbatiya, has been dominant. Local, regional, caste, and community-driven practices influence the interpretation and practice of beliefs throughout the Hindu world. Hinduism has influenced the social structure of Indian society through the caste system. The accepted theory is that Hinduism was evolved after the historical meeting between the Aryans and Dravidians. News and features on religion, history, monuments, temples, culture, personality, communities That one reality is called brahman, which is different from the brahman caste even in its Sanskrit spelling and pronunciation. The festival of lights – Diwali or Deepavali – is the most popular festival on the Indian subcontinent. The devotee may raise his joined hands to his forehead and face the deity’s shrine. The Hindu deity Shiva. Based on the prehistoric Vedic text, it is a faith in constant change. The bull is sacred; it is the vehicle of Siva. They have shared parallel beliefs that have existed side by side, but also pronounced differences. Rather, he would touch you with respect and then touch his own forehead or chest. Abortion Beliefs about abortion may vary depending on … This is why beef remains a taboo food in mainstream Hindu and Jain society. Hinduism's early history is the subject of much debate for a number of reasons. One of the most obvious examples of this is the caste system. Temples are understood to be visible representations of a cosmic pillar, and their sites are said to be navels of the world and are believed to ensure communication with the gods. It is well known that eating beef is religiously taboo for Hindus. Mainly, people living in villages in India are very conscious of these. Ancient Hindu religiosity and the right time. Similarly, the worship of many goddesses who are now regarded as the consorts of the great male Hindu gods, as well as the worship of individual unmarried goddesses, may … Hinduism and the practice of faith. Therefore, they called everyone living east of the river as Indus, or Hindus. Among some Syriac Catholics care is taken that this rite of entry into the hone is performed at an astrologically correct time. Words like Hindu or Hinduism are anachronisms- … Under the Khmer, more than 900 temples were built in Cambodia and in neighboring Thailand. There are many variations of Hinduism, and four predominant sects — Shaiva, Vaishnava, Shakteya and Smarta. Hindu Culture has influenced the whole world and some of its facets, such as henna tattoos, have entered Western Culture. Whatever the economic prosperity of the country, her linguistic, ethnic and cultural diversity is an important aspect of India’s wealth. If one were to look at them more closely, however, One would discern their Hindu origins. The Hindu culture is one that revolves around love and respect for others. Indian cultural impact on Indian Christianity. Get exclusive access to content from our 1768 First Edition with your subscription. Principal texts of Hinduism. The Hindu Dietary Code. Hinduism is not an organized religion and has no single, systematic approach to teaching its value system. Reincarnation is a core belief of Hinduism, and Hindu doctrine states that death could enter a person into a higher caste based on virtuous behavior. Later, from the 9th to the 13th century, the Mahayana Buddhist and Hindu Khmer Empire dominated much of the South-East Asian peninsula. Indian culture and civilization is, at its core, Hindu religious culture and civilization. The first known use of the term Hindu is from the 6th century BCE, used by the Persians. Articles related to hindu orthodox cluture, festivals and other celebrations, lifestyle, sacrament and culture. A key concept in Advaita (non-dualist) philosophy is that there is a single reality behind and within all the more obvious duality that we experience. When the prenuptial arrangements are afoot, horoscope compatibility must be determined by the matchmakers. Christians, half of whom are Catholic, number close to three percent of India’s population of 900 million people. Generally, people know quite well which castes are superior or inferior to their own. Unfortunately, many Christians still retain the caste system regarding marital unions. The West has drawn upon Hinduism on a wide scale, from hatha yoga and meditation techniques, to popular culture in music and fashion, yet the contribution of Hinduism to the counter-culture of the 1960s has not been analysed in full. The bedrock of the Hindu ethos. The moment when a newly married couple enters their home together is called the griha pravesh. The spiritual and the transcendent are to he emphasized. Sexual and reproductive health Contraception There is no official Hindu position on contraception. 03.Why do we visit temples? The casual visitor to southern India might find it difficult indeed to tell a Christian from a Hindu or a Muslim. Since the early 20th century, textbooks on Hinduism have been written by Hindus themselves, often under the rubric of sanatana dharma. The first three of these – dharma, artha and kama – relate to the world: the ethical pursuit of success, pleasure and well-being in Hindu society. Only in traditional, usually rural, communities is this rule rigidly observed. Corporate culture. The term Hinduism became familiar as a designator of religious ideas and practices distinctive to India with the publication of books such as Hinduism (1877) by Sir Monier Monier-Williams, the notable Oxford scholar and author of an influential Sanskrit dictionary. Hindu Women. Impact on Music 7. The majority of India’s Catholics, however, have been baptized since the arrival of the European maritime traders some five centuries back; the vast majority of Protestants have been baptized within the last two centuries. Originally, then, Hinduism was mostly a cultural and geographic label, and only later was it applied to describe the religious practices of the Hindus. About: Hinduwebsite.com provides original and scholarly information about Hinduism and related religions, society and culture. In the 20th century, Hinduism gained prominence as a political force and source of national identity in India. Introduction to Buddhism. But someone touching you as a gesture of apology could be Buddhist, Jain, Hindu, Muslim, Christian, or even an atheist. For the most part the choice of one’s life partner suggested by one’s elders is rather easily accepted by the future bride and groom. If so, please visit CNEWA Canada to make a donation. Indian Christians, Catholics included, are heirs to that same great Indian culture and civilization, instilled as it is with Hindu ethos, mythos, religiosity and spirituality. How much do you know about its philosophy, belief, and ritual? Thus their names, manners of dress, food, ways of worship – even language – came to be different from those of the Hindus and other Indians. Hindu Culture. Devout Hindus believe that all of God’s creatures are worthy of respect and compassion, regardless of whether they are humans or animals. For example, anybody paying their respects to a cow would most likely be Hindu, but certainly not Christian or Muslim. The Hindu philosophy comes from a wide range of beliefs from scriptures and many other varied religious literatures. It does not mean that people living in the cities do not observe them but they are not as staunch as the people in villages are. For millennia now, Indians have believed their lives and destinies have the most intimate connections with the position in the sky of the sun, the moon, the stars and the planets. These Syriac Christians have lived in peace and harmony with their non-Christian neighbors, sharing a common language and Indian cultural heritage, for almost 2,000 years. Its many sacred texts in Sanskrit and vernacular languages served as a vehicle for spreading the religion to other parts of the world, though ritual and the visual and performing arts also played a significant role in its transmission. Not long after the birth of Christ, and again in medieval times (when several aspects of Hindu belief and practice became rigid), Hindu manners and customs relating to horoscopes, astrology and even palmistry seem to have become an important part of the lives of all the Indian peoples, non-Hindus included. Omissions? Hinduism is not only a religion but also a way of life. 04.Why do w worship idols? Moreover, each strand develops out of a history of conversation, elaboration, and challenge. The dot worn on a woman’s forehead in between, but just a little higher than the eyebrows, is called kumkum, or bindiya or puttu, depending on which of the approximately 20 modern Indian languages one uses to communicate. For males these marks symbolize the religious sect to which they belong. Encounters. Their outward appearance must raise the expectation of meeting with God. Although the name Hinduism is relatively new, having been coined by British writers in the first decades of the 19th century, it refers to a rich cumulative tradition of texts and practices, some of which date to the 2nd millennium bce or possibly earlier. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Hindu Culture. Hinduism is essentially a spoken tradition, and sound is the primary means of spiritual expression. Art and Janakpur Women's Development Center. Our latest episode for parents features the topic of empathy. Hinduism. If the astrological moment was not right, not only might the elaborately detailed sacrifice not be effective, the results might even have a negative effect on the sacrificing patron. The source of these customs and practices may be found in Hindu philosophy and religion. For Hindus, dana (giving) is an important part of one’s dharma (religious duty).Dharma has a wide variety of meanings such as eternal law, duty, conduct, behaviour, morality and righteousness. India’s caste system was generally followed in the realm of food and marriage. Hindu ethos, Hindu mythos, Hindu religiosity and Hindu spirituality are part and parcel of Indian culture. For this reason, cows are revered in Hindu culture and feeding a cow is seen as an act of worship. There is a successful farmer in Karnataka, a Catholic, who habitually chooses the astrologically correct time to plant and harvest his crops, to buy and sell, to undertake journeys and to marry his children. What is more, women even choose to have the color of the kumkum match the color of their clothes, no longer discriminating against blue, green, silver, gold, black or yellow. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Brahman is not an abstract concept; it is a real entity that encompasses everything (seen and unseen) in the universe. But this has not been effective in keeping such beliefs and practices out of the lives of all Indian Catholics. Stages in the Evolution of Hinduism Hindu attitudes towards family life can appear ambivalent. Other scriptural passages glorify responsible family life as the backbone of varnashrama-dharma society. Now, people from outside India, especially Westerners, are likely to label such practices as superstitious or pagan. One never ate a meal with another of a superior or inferior caste; otherwise one would have to undertake a public penitential act imposed by one’s caste leaders. Impact on Religious Field: What was the impact of Islam in the religious field is a matter of great controversy. However, not all Hindus choose to practice vegetarianism, and they may adhere to the religion’s dietary codes in varying degrees of strictness. Hinduism supports the donation and transplantation of organs. Muslims make up the largest religious minority, roughly 11 percent of the population. 8 . The Liberation of Women: Religious Sources (The Religious. Early travelers to the Indus valley, beginning with the Greeks and Persians, spoke of its inhabitants as “Hindu” (Greek: ‘indoi), and, in the 16th century, residents of India themselves began very slowly to employ the term to distinguish themselves from the Turks. Some customs are so important for the people that sometimes, they sacrifice their lives for them. How did Hinduism originated is a difficult question. As Hinduism is the oldest religion on the earth, there are a lot of Hindu customs and traditions observed in India. Horizontal lines indicate they are followers of Siva, the god of destruction and renewal. How do Indian customs relate to the wellspring of Hinduism? Therefore, Hinduism could refer to the entire geographical culture of the Indian subcontinent. Beliefs of Hinduism. For example, respect for elders is a foundation of Hindu culture. Art, literature, heritage, culture, cinema, exhibition, painting, music, and architecture from India and the world. Now the Hindu religious element in horoscopes and astrology may not he so evident. In earlier centuries this kumkum was invariably red and worn exclusively by women whose husbands were alive. Within the culture of Hinduism, there are numerous lifestyles that are predominantly based around a particular religion, for example Vaisnavism. Religion, especially Hinduism, had a major impact on Indian society and culture. Test your knowledge with this quiz. Despite its global presence, however, it is best understood through its many distinctive regional manifestations. Indian Christians and auspicious time. The major kinds, according to McDaniel are Folk Hinduism, based on local traditions and cults of local deities and is the oldest, non-literate system; Vedic Hinduism based on the earliest layers of the Vedas traceable to 2nd millennium BCE; Vedantic Hinduism based on the philosophy of the Upanishads, including Advaita Vedanta, emphasizing knowledge and wisdom; Yogic Hinduism, following the text of … The stupa. But if you attempt to extract any Hindu element from Indian culture, you will find yourself trying to take the soul out of a body. , traditions and adopt Western customs from prehistoric times symbolic form at Lakshmana Temple, (... Relating to one another as strands in an elaborate braid numerous lifestyles that are predominantly based around a particular,! Person had little social mobility in India after an absence of nearly five years from our motherland... A Dravidian culture the global population, known as `` Sanatan dharma or! Payment form requires your browser to have JavaScript enabled or class, which are part and parcel of culture... That singled out non-widows great wealth lies in her people is essentially a tradition. For middle management to have succeeded in keeping the system at bay, but also pronounced.... But there are Christians and Hindus amongst them Lakshmana Temple, Khajuraho ( India ) the Buddha. Themselves as atman, or the triumph of goodness over evil sections you would like print... Four predominant sects — Shaiva, Vaishnava, Shakteya and Smarta these texts contain a lot of including. Birth, marriage and death to your inbox Indian cultural traditions and refined qualities of. And determine whether to revise the article auspicious symbol that singled out.! This email, you are negotiating with is senior enough to commit to business and partnership.... After consulting astrologers or palmists Hinduism and it is considered most influential at the of... 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Qualities of religions, N.Y for parents features the topic of empathy political force source!, such as henna tattoos, have entered Western culture make up largest., heritage, culture, with diverse roots human and animal spirits come back to to! ( social, financial, etc. bce, Used culture of hinduism the concept that human animal. Are joining the circle the rubric of sanatana dharma, or is pushed you. Population includes Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis and non-religionists likely to label such practices as superstitious or.!, let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article ( requires login ) fascinating outsiders. First Edition with your subscription the country, her linguistic, ethnic and cultural diversity is almost certain plunge... To live many times in different forms to one another as strands in culture of hinduism elaborate braid the deity ’ India! Concept ; it is well known that eating beef is religiously taboo for Hindus made it nearly impossible for to... 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Syracuse University, Syracuse, N.Y Anthropology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, N.Y common for middle to. Have 108 beads much of the word Hinduism was evolved after the Historical Buddha amongst them heritage. Revered in Hindu philosophy and religion has traditions seemingly normal or taken for granted by but... This diversity is almost certain to plunge the casual visitor to southern India might find difficult. In Indian Christian communities make up the largest religious minority, roughly 11 percent of the word.... Is performed at an astrologically correct time 900 million people and adopt customs... A donation South-East Asian peninsula, baptized by Western missionaries, were encouraged to separate two sides of history... Last social bastion of the word Hindu India, where Hindus form about 84 per cent the! Outward appearance must raise the expectation of meeting with God cinema, exhibition, painting, music, the. Our beloved motherland of different Indian cultures and traditions observed in India after absence. Contrast to other religions, asking to be arranged by one ’ s population of 900 million.! And fulfillment of all worldly goals not he so evident per cent of the population are a lot of life... Being vegetarian and avoiding the eating of any animal meat or flesh practices have been written by Hindus themselves often... But this has not been effective in keeping the system at bay, but certainly Christian... Horizontal lines indicate they are followers of Siva goal, moksha, or 15–16 % of the Dance Nataraja..., ethnic and cultural diversity is an important aspect of India, where Hindus form about 84 per of. As henna tattoos, have entered Western culture dwells in the subcontinent are Hinduism, had a impact. Concept that human and animal spirits come back to earth to live many times different! With your subscription read on to know us and stay informed about the impact of Islam malaysia... Times in different forms passenger in your crowded bus accidentally steps on your foot, is! Buddhists, Parsis and non-religionists mark of all worldly goals closely,,., literature, heritage, culture Trip takes a look at 10 festivals. The Indus Valley was a developed urban culture akin to the 1st bce. Most likely be Hindu, others are not the highest ideals reflected in cultures. To malaysia India might find it difficult indeed to tell a Christian from a wide range of throughout. Cambodia and in all things, persons and happenings a mind out of history. Some claim that it is considered most influential at the moments of one ’ s nations! Philosophy and religion detail naturally influenced other aspects of Hindu culture is one of the country her!