The Hindu religion is deeply rooted in the culture of India and it is remains the country's dominant religion. The wellspring of Hinduism is the great urban civilization of the Indus Valley, with is orderly brick built cities, which flourished 5000 years ago.
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The Origins of Hinduism
Around 1500 BCE the nomadic Aryans, the 'Noble People', swept into India from the North. With them they brought their language, Sanskrit, which is related to Latin, Greek and other Indo-European languages, and which became the sacred language of their religion. They also brought whit them, among other Vedic texts (vid expresses knowledge), a cycle of sacred song know as the Ring Vida, or song of Knowledge, which became sacred to Hinduism, The Ring Vida contains about 1000 hymn, featuring several dozen gods, Recently, However, some scholars have disputed the Aryan invasion into India, believing that the 'Aryans' were actually indigenous people and not invaders .
http://www.geocities.com/light_of_life9/hinduism.htm
The religious books of the Hindus contain stories, prayers, hymns and poems. They are written in Sanskrit which is the language of ancient India. The most important books are the Vedas, the oldest writings about religious life and duty; the Upanishads which are hymns and poems; and the Ramayana and the Mahabharata which are poems.
Beliefs
Hindus believe in a great soul or spirit, called Brahman, who cannot be seen but is present in everything. There are thousands of Hindu gods and goddesses and each one shows a different aspect of Brahman's power.
http://www.stjames-hamptonhill.org.uk/Y ... nduism.htm
In the "Encyclopedia of New Age Beliefs," John Ankerberg and John Weldon state that
In its most simple definition, Hinduism may be defined as the religious beliefs and practices common to India. Defining Hinduism in a more precise manner is difficult because of its wide number of practices and teachings. To illustrate this, here are selected definitions from authoritative sources. Hinduism is
The Way of the majority of the people of India, a Way that is a combination of religious belief, rites, customs, and daily practices, many of which appear overtly secular but in most cases have religious origins and sanctions. Hinduism is noted as being the only one of the major beliefs that cannot be defined, for any definition is inadequate, contradictory, and incomplete.
The name used in the West to designate the traditional socioreligious structure of the Indian people. As a religion based on mythology, it has neither a founder (as do Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity), nor a fixed canon. Myriad local cults and traditions of worship or belief can be distinguished.
The variety of religious beliefs and practices making up the majority tradition of the Indian subcontinent.
... a complex product of [the] amalgamation of various cults and beliefs within a common social framework [e.g. the caste system].
In spite of its diversity, Hinduism reveals a number of common themes. Some of these include pantheism (the belief that all is God, God is all), polytheism (a belief in many lesser gods), and a reliance upon occult ritual and practices.
Hinduism forms the basis of many of the practises and beliefs in the New Age movement and many occult practises. Many respects the philosophy of the New Age Movement parallels that of Hinduism. In addition, there are scores of modern religious cults and sects that have been influenced by Hinduism to varying degrees.
They also point out that
... literally millions of Americans have taken up Hindu practices, such as yoga, meditation, developing altered states of consciousness, and seeking Hindu "enlightenment."
John Ankerberg and John Weldon, Encyclopedia of New Age Beliefs Harvest House Publishers, Oregon, 1996. pp 216,217