NATIHinduism-Tyler

**__Founders/Religious Leaders of Hinduism__**
The founders of Hinduism where the European people called the Aryans. The Aryans brought Hinduism to India first, around 1700 B.C. One of the religious leaders where called Pandits, or priests, who ruled the churches. The Swamis or Monks were also religious leaders. The Swamis would give up their lives to be more attached with God and spirituality. The Gurus where also great teachers.

In Hinduism there are many places that people can practice their religion. For example, a shrine is a place of worship in the Hinduism religion. A shrine can be found in many Hindu homes. Shrines are basically small worship areas, beautifully decorated depending on the religion. When these people pray in shrines it's a place for them to relax and have peace. Other places of worship can include temples or mandirs. __**Gods of Hinduism**__ In Hinduism there are three main gods. The three main gods are named Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva. The first god, Brahma is believed to be the creator. The second god, Vishnu is believed to be the preserver. The third god, Siva is believed to be the destroyer. All three of these gods put together form a Trimutia. A Trimutia is a three person statue.

**__Were it all Began/Were it's Practiced Today__**
Hinduism began in India around 1700 B.C. The people that brought Hinduism to India were called the Aryans. This religion is now practiced today in parts of Asia, making up 14% of the worlds population. That 14% may seem like a little number, but it is still about 900,000,000 people in the world. Hinduism is still spreading throughout the US, Canada, and the Uk.

**__How the Hindus Practice and Worship Hinduism__**
The Hinduism religion is focused on devotion to their god or gods. This devotion usually takes the form of rituals associated with sculptures and images of gods in home shrines. Some Hindu people ignore these gods altogether and meditate. These people that meditate can meditate in their homes, temples, or even towers.

**__Main Symbols of Hinduism__ The main symbols of Hinduism are called maddalas, usually used in meditation. These symbols are often full of color, high in details, and round in shape. For example, the white elephant maddala symbolizes the birth of Prince Siddhartha. Also, the bell maddala gets rung when the Hindu people enter a church. **

Their are many different Hindu festivals. For example, one of these festivals is called the Holy Return of Spring. In this festival the Hindu people celebrate the return of Spring by splashing colored powders water on each other. Another great Hindu festival is the Raksha Randhan Festival. In this festival the Hindu people celebrate their relatives and siblings by making each of them a braclet or a neckles.
 * __Hindu Festivals__**

__**Sacred Writings of Hinduism**__ In Hinduism the sacred writings are called Vedas. There are four different Vedas Sama Veda, Yajur Veda, Rig Veda, and the Atharva Veda. Each one of these Vedas contain hymns, incantations, and rituals from ancient India. An incantation is a ritual recitation of words or sound believed to have a magical effect. Another example of a Hindu sacred writing is the Rymana or the epic poem of a King and Queen.

Some of the Hindu beliefs include karma, Samsara, and Reincarnation. Karma is if you do something negative to someone else then something negative will happen to you in return. Samsara is a belief that all living things are sacred, including plants and animals. Reincarnation is the whole life, death, and rebirth cycle. **
 * __Main Beliefs of Hinduism__

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