Hinduism is the name given to one of the oldest religious practices in India. Vedanta is the real name of this religion. When British rule began to populate India, this ancient religion evolved into what is known today as Hinduism. Hinduism is an extremely complex religion for which a single definition cannot be composed. The main characteristic of this religion is the enormous difference in beliefs and rituals among its practitioners. Say no to plagiarism. Get Custom Essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get Original Essay Hinduism arose from the mixture of two distinct cultures involving the Aryans and the Indus Valley Civilization. Around 1500 BC, the Aryans invaded India and imposed their religious themes on the Indian natives. Ultimately, the Aryan religion absorbed the rituals of the natives and eventually transformed into Hinduism. Most Hindus are Indians or of Indian origin. However, as Hinduism spread throughout Southeast Asia and Indonesia, other ethnic groups adopted Hinduism and added their own ethnic characteristics. The main teachings of Hinduism affirm that salvation is achieved through the spiritual unity of the soul, atman, with the ultimate reality of the universe, Brahma. To achieve this goal, the soul must obtain moksha, or liberation from samsara, the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth. Different sects of Hinduism teach different paths to moksha. As a result of these basic teachings, arise Hindu beliefs in reincarnation, karma (material actions resulting from the consequences of previous actions), and the religious justification of the caste system. As Hinduism evolved, later texts rose to prominence, such as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. The major text of the Vaishnavas is a part of the Mahabharata known as the Bhagavad Gita. The two largest sects of Hinduism are the Shivaite and Vaishnavite sects, based on the recognition of Shiva and Vishnu as the ultimate manifestations of Brahma. Vaishnavas constitute approximately 70% of all Hindus. The main holy days are the Kumbha Mela festival which occurs four times a year, and the Dusserah agricultural festival in honor of Kali takes place in late October. Also Ramanavani (birthday of Lord Rama), Rathayatra (Pilgrimage of the Chariot to Jagannath), Jhulanayatra ("Swinging Lord Krishna"), Rakshabandhana ("Tying lucky threads"), Janamashtami (birthday of Lord Krishna), Navaratri ( festival of "Nine Nights"), Lakshmi-puja (tribute to the goddess Lakshmi), Diwali or Dipavali ("Chain of Lights"), Maha-Sivaratri (Great night of Lord Shiva) and Holi (the festival of fire, a festival of spring dedicated to Krishna). There are several principles of Hinduism. The theme of spiritual unity between the ultimate reality, known as Brahma, and the soul, or atman, is obligatory. Consequently, everything in the world is an illusion, simply a part of Brahma, praised as Creator. Brahma is considered the creator of all entities in the world, including the gods. The ultimate goal of all Hindus is to attain pure reality through unification of the soul with Brahma. However, as prescribed, each soul must first achieve liberation, or moksha, from the cycle of life known as samsara. This gives rise to the Hindu theme of reincarnation. At death, each person is reborn in the form of an animal, a human being or a celestial body. The status of a person's next life is determined by the actions committed in the previous life. This principle iscalled karma. The status of lives within the life cycle led to the establishment of the caste system. This system has significant social and economic implications on the Hindu population. This dictates the choice of profession, marriage partners, foods consumed and other matters. Classes were originally based on an individual's natural qualities and functions evolved into rigid divisions over time. In modern times, the main characterization of the caste system is based on occupations which are valued based on the amount of pollutants, such as blood and sewage involved in the work. This prompted higher status Hindus to abstain from eating animal meat and practice vegetarianism. In general, strict divisions have traditionally been imposed by the Hindu community between all castes. Because a person is considered born into one caste, no transferability is allowed between members of different castes. Additionally, a non-Hindu cannot enter a caste and marriage is not permitted outside of a caste. The resulting segregation, based on caste theology, has remained persistent in India throughout history. Upper-caste Hindus traditionally fear pollution from lower-caste members through actions such as proximity, eating food cooked by lower castes, and drinking water from the same water source. Thanks to political movements in the mid-1900s, caste barriers were relaxed somewhat. The movement to eliminate discrimination against lower castes was led by MP "Mahatma" Gandhi, who taught that "the removal of this stain and curse from Hinduism" was essential to Indian independence. This relaxation was particularly noted in urban areas. All Hindus are now eligible for education that gives them equal employment opportunities. Social mixing in urban areas between members of different castes has become more tolerated. Furthermore, discrimination based on caste status was politically declared illegal in 1950. In general, these sects were especially popular among the lower castes. During the Bhakti movement, many members of the lower castes converted to Islam to improve their religious position. However, Hindu sects often provided another option for members of lower castes to improve their religious status without completely abandoning the Hindu religion. Traditionally, Hindus retaining the original Vedic religion were mostly those from the upper castes, mainly Brahmins. Many of the teachings fundamental to the modern observance of Vaishnavism began around 500 years ago when Lord Caitanya taught that the form of deity to be worshiped in this period, the Kali Yuga (era), is the person of Krishna, the supreme manifestation of Vishnu. . His followers today now recognize Lord Caitanya as the avatar of Krishna for our times – the representative of God carrying the specific message for our times. Due to the often austere regulations required of the Vaishnavas, the practice is seen as a purification and restoration of the true Vedic religion, providing the necessary path to survive the destruction of the current era. For the Vaishnavas, the path to moksha is found in devotion, particularly devotion to Krishna. Today scattered among numerous sects, the Vaishnavas are found throughout India. Through the dedicated missionary efforts of His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, along with a.