HİNDİSTAN'DA DİN OLGUSUNUN SOSYAL HAYATA ETKİLERİ: HİNDUİZM ÖRNEĞİ.

The demographics of India are inclusive of the second most populous country in the world, with more than one billion people. Even though over 75-78% of India's population practices Hinduism; Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism and Jainism are the other important religions in India. Among them, Islam with its about two hundred million followers is the largest minority religion in this country. Religion, thence, has been a significant part of the India's culture and tradition, throughout its history. Due to this sturdy connection, it is not easy to know India without understanding its religious beliefs and practices, which have a large impact on the personal lives of most Indians and influence public life on a daily basis. This paper, therefore, targets to demonstrate how religion effects to social life in India under the sample of Hinduism. In this context, some specific topics such as religious rituals, festivals, caste system, marriage ceremony and cremation have been examined which shape to Indians daily life and social order. Along with this, the case study has been supported by some observations which have been experienced in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]