hindoes

Hindoes is an archaic or anglicized term for adherents of Hinduism. In modern usage, the people are usually called Hindus and their religion Hinduism. The term Hindu originally described people living beyond the Indus River and was used by outsiders; over time it came to identify followers of the various religious traditions that originated on the Indian subcontinent.

Hinduism is a diverse, ancient tradition without a single founder or central authority. It encompasses a wide range of beliefs and practices, and it can be described as polytheistic, henotheistic, or monistic depending on tradition. Core ideas include dharma (duty and ethics), karma (action and consequence), samsara (reincarnation), and moksha (liberation).

Practices vary by community and region. Common elements include puja (worship), temple rites, home altars, and seasonal or life-cycle ceremonies. Hindus also participate in festivals such as Diwali, Holi, Navaratri, Durga Puja, and Ganesh Chaturthi. Worship may involve deities such as Vishnu, Shiva, or Devi, personal devotion (bhakti), and yoga or meditation in some traditions.

Texts and scriptures are diverse. The early Vedas and Upanishads are foundational for many Hindus, while the epic stories of the Ramayana and Mahabharata (which includes the Bhagavad Gita) are influential in worship and ethics. There is no single scripture that all Hindus share.

Demographics and influence: Hindus number about 1.2 billion worldwide, with the majority in India and Nepal and large diasporic communities in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Caribbean. Hinduism shapes art, philosophy, law, and daily life in many regions, while modern constitutional and pluralistic societies address questions of religious freedom and social reform.