Just In
- 1 hr ago Heeramandi Screening: Alia Bhatt, Ananya Panday, Rashmika Mandanna And Others Serve Finest Ethnic Style!
- 1 hr ago From Alia Bhatt To Kriti Sanon, Korean Beauty Products That Bollywood Divas Swear By
- 4 hrs ago Exclusive: On World Malaria Day 2024, Dr Shares Danger Signs Parents Must Watch Out For In Child With Malaria
- 5 hrs ago Exclusive: Expert Debunks 5 Common Misconceptions About Expectant Mothers That You Need To Steer Clear From
Don't Miss
- Automobiles BMW i5 M60 xDrive Launched In India At Rs 1.195 Crore - 592bhp, 516km Range
- Sports IPL 2024: How the 10 Most Expensive IPL 2024 Auction Buys have performed this Season? Complete Details and Ratings
- Movies Vicky Kaushal To Zayed Khan; Bollywood Stars Who Slayed In All Black Ensembles At Heeramandi Screening
- News Tamil Nadu Weather Update: Minimal Change, Still Hot Across Interior
- Finance Gold Prices Ayodhya: In Ram-Janma-Bhumi, 24carat Falls By Rs 380 In 10-Grams, Drops By Rs 3,800 In 100-gram
- Education JEE Main Result 2024 Out, Check Category- Wise Toppers' List Here
- Technology Qubo InstaView Video Door Phone Launched in India: Check Price, Features
- Travel Escape to Kalimpong, Gangtok, and Darjeeling with IRCTC's Tour Package; Check Itinerary
Is Hinduism A Pagan Religion?
What Does Pagan Actually Mean?
The word 'pagan' actually means 'rustic'. Thus it is used as an umbrella term to identify all religions that pre-dated Christ (apart from Judaism) and the modern religions. The references to devil-worship and witchcraft is a connotation added to paganism during the Dark ages (13th to 15th century AD) . The Medieval period is infamous for witch hunts and all manner of superstitious beliefs and these references to paganism is a product of that paranoia
A pagan religion is not a religion of the book like Islam or Christianity; it is a religion that is based on traditions and primitive rituals of Nature worship. After onset of Christianity, any religion that did not subscribe to a monotheistic God (single God) was considered outdated and savage. Thus, the Greek and Roman Gods too were considered Pagan gods. But Hinduism occupies a unique place in this regard. Let us see what it is.
Pagan Elements In Hinduism:
1. Polytheism: Most important element of paganism is having more than one god. This was typical of all the religions in ancient Europe (Greeks, Romans etc). The Hindus have 33 crore Gods and Goddesses. The main Hindu Gods are the Trinity of Brahma (creator), Vishnu (preserver) and Shiva (destroyer). Shakti or the female Goddess is a singular entity who takes different forms like Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kali etc.
2. Worshipping The Female Form: The three major religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam are called Abrahamic religions because they all descended from Abraham/Ibrahim. If you notice carefully, all these three forms consider God to be He. Pagan religions on the other hand have She-gods. The Greeks had the Trinity of Hera, Venus and Athena. Hindus have the trinity of Parvati, Lakshmi and Saraswati. Worshing female deities is a pagan religious practice that is considered 'heathen' by many organised religions.
3. Worshipping The Earth: As a Pagan is a rustic religion, their festivals are closely related to the tilling of the earth and a good harvests. Likewise, you can see many harvests festivals in Hinduism, for example; Baisakhi, Onam, Vishu, Pongal etc. The cycles of farming play an very important part in pleasing the pagan Gods.
From these points we would be tempted to conclude that Hindu Gods are pagan indeed. But only if you take away the negative connotations like devil-worship and witchcraft from the word 'pagan', 750 million people who follow this religion all over the world do not see it as pagan. For them, it is the 'Sanatan Dharm'; a way of life that has always existed and will continue to do so.
- yoga spiritualityWhen Is Shab E Barat 2024? Date, Timing, Rituals And Significance In Islam
- faith mysticismCommon Rituals In Different Religions
- faith mysticismHow To Disconnect Religion From spirituality?
- womenIndia: Court Upholds Hijab Ban In Karnataka Educational Institutes
- faith mysticism10 Plants And Trees That Has Spiritual Significance In India
- festivalsDasra, Ugadi, Karaga - 8 Most Popular Festivals Of Karnataka
- festivalsNaag Panchami 2018, Dates And Significance
- festivalsDevshayani Ekadashi 2018 Date, Importance and Puja Vidhi
- festivalsShravan 2019 Month: Fasting Dates, Time, Importance
- festivalsGupt Navratra: The Correct Way Of Doing Durga Saptashati Patha
- faith mysticismBetel Nut And Its Use In Pujas
- thoughtThe Real Reason Behind Ravana's Destruction – A Curse From Vedavati