Hinduism: Understanding Sanatana Dharma
Hinduism is the oldest major religion. It has about 900 million adherents; 780 million of those are in India, comprising 79 percent of that country’s population. Hindus also make up 89 percent of the population of Nepal, where there are about 19 million adherents. In the United States, roughly two million individuals are Hindu. There are many forms of Hinduism, all with unique faiths and customs. This guide teaches you about the main varieties of Hinduism, and their rituals and practices; it also introduces you to Hindu news, music and art, points out some Hindu organizations, and helps you connect with the Hindu community online.
Expand All Guide SectionsHinduism Beliefs and Basics
Known as Sanatana Dharma, or “the eternal law” in Sanskrit, Hinduism is a ... read more »
Rituals and Practices of Hinduism
The Hindu tradition is filled with unique ceremonies and customs, from the multicolored, ... read more »
The Denominations of Hinduism
There are innumerable forms of Hinduism, as was mentioned above. The sites in this section will ... read more »
The Hindu Community
There is a vast Hindu network on the Internet waiting for your presence. Read a Hindu or Indian ... read more »
Hindu Music and Art
Hinduism is renowned for beautiful music and art. The Internet makes it simple to listen to a melodic mantra or admire an exquisite sculpture of Shiva.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Some of the sites that offer streaming audio require a plug-in. If you’re not sure if you have the proper plug-in, the site should let you know what you need to download or direct you to a Web site that offers the plug-in.
Dulcinea's Picks
For Hindu art …
Lakshmi International specializes in “Fine Hindu Deity Paintings from India.” Find product information on each painting, and an easy system for purchase and checkout.
Himalayan Academy offers DVDs of Hindu images. The site markets these discs to “parents, teachers, web designers and communicators” for the purpose of disseminating and furthering the images of the Hindu religion. Look at some of these rich images on the Web site.
For Hindu music …
Bhakti Sangeet is not a pretty site, but it does have a great deal of religious music that you can listen to in streaming format. Hear mantras, bhajans, and aarti, and watch music videos. Some of the sections are accompanied by explanations relating to Hindu culture and tradition. You will need RealPlayer to access much of the material.
Music Today , part of The India Today Group, provides a wide selection of Hindu “devotional” music, from “Vedic chanting” to “classical forms.” Listen to a sample song from the track listing; a clickable speaker icon will appear next to the track duration if a sample is available. The CDs are available for purchase directly from the site.
© 2019 Dulcinea Media, Inc.
