Hinduism is the religion which celebrates the festival Makar Sankranti, it is the third largest religious practice in the world and it was established in Northern India approximately 4000 years ago. (Australian Broadcasting Commission 1990) There are many inherent beliefs essential to the Hindu Religion. The Hindu culture incorporates a polytheistic scope as Hindus celebrate and pray to numerous Gods. (Baker 2014) The copious Gods are representations of the Supreme Being Brahma, who is the creator in this religion. (BBC 2014) Hindus spiritually connect to their Gods in intricately designed, holy temples which they visit for worship and to socialize with the community. (Australian Broadcasting Commission 1990) The completion of Puja is the demonstration of reverence to a God, spirit of another component of divinity to strengthen their beliefs in a higher being. ("What is puja?" 1997) Hindus have confidence in in the concept of Samsara an eternal cycle of reincarnation. Their beliefs are heavily focused on karma which articulates that good behaviour will result in a joyous afterlife where they are at one with Brahma; this is the ideology of Moshka. (Subhamoy 2014) Immoral actions will force a being to relive life to fix the mistakes they have made previously. It is believed that Hindus will continue to be reincarnated until they have experienced the perfect life, the idea captures the Hindus belief the life is like a merry-go-round. (Australian Broadcasting Commission 1990)
There are significant rules and values that Hindus adhere to. A prevalent rule in the Hindu culture is that its followers should not eat many forms of meat. This is due to the value of non-violence to any living thing which is outlined in the holy Vedic scriptures. Involvement in the cycle of imposing injury, pain and death, even through indirect forms such as the consumption of beef, means that the when people are reincarnated they must tolerate equal suffering to that of the harmed animal. The cow is also a symbolic representation of grace and abundance, respected for the gentle and generous nature, only taking water, grass and grain for itself whilst providing, milk, cheese, beef and cream for others (NHSF (UK) 2014) (HinduismToday 1993) Hinduism also encapsulates a variety of religious, cultural and philosophical values. Hindu values are often referred to as "Yama" the rules of Yama include Satyam this is the ideal of speaking the truth, Ahimsa the value of non-violence. Asteyam is the term which describes that one should not take what doesn’t belong to them, Daya revolves around compassion and mercy for all living creatures. Kshanti is the combination of various virtues containing patience, forgiveness and tolerance. Arjavam expresses the positive outcome of straightforwardness, simplicity, and an absence of deception. Madhuryam outlines the Hindu belief in bestowing a compassionate personality. The value of self-control, Dama, is also essential in the Hindu way of life. Dana captures the essence of sharing, teaching and distributing to benefit the lives of others. Being free of sin, Akalkata is the last quality which is vital to the Hindu culture. (Chintamani 2009)
The Hindu creation story is the most important story to the Religion. Whilst there are many theories about how the world began the most common incorporates the ideology of God appearing in three main forms, Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver of the land and Shiva the destroyer of all creation. The Hindu culture believes that Vishnu lay asleep on a cobra and the sound, ‘Om’ filled the emptiness of the earth. A lotus flower blossomed from Vishnu cradling Brahma inside. Brahma was instructed by Vishnu to create a world, subsequently he tore three leaves off the lotus flower and divided them to create the heavens, earth and skies. (Iedesign 2011) (BBC 2014)
The video below explains the Hindu Creation Story in more depth.
Holy, divine God Brahma, the central creator of the Hindu
Religion.
Hindus completing Puja.
The cow represents a symbol of generosity for Hindus.