Religion in Bihar

History of Religion in Bihar

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Religious communities

Buddhism

Buddhism is very closely integrated with Bihar. Gautam Buddha attained Enlightenment at Bodh Gaya, a town located in the modern day district of Gaya.

Islam

Islam constitute second largest religion in Bihar. According to 2001 Indian census, there were 13,722,048 Muslims constituting 16.6 population of the state.

Sikhism

The capital of Bihar, Patna is one of the holiest city in Sikhism, as The tenth Guru of the Sikhs Guru Gobind Singh was born here in 1666 and spent his early years before moving to Anandpur.^[1] Patna was also honoured by visits from Guru Nanak in 1509 as well as Guru Tegh Bahadur in 1666. Takht Shri Harmandir Saheb also known as Patna Saheb is, one of the Five Takhts of the Sikhism. The Gurdwara at Patna Sahib is in remembrance of the birth place of Guru Gobind Singh, The tenth Guru of the Sikhs.^[2]Guru Nanak Dev visited Patna and stayed in GaiGhat 1509 A.D. and later same place was visited by Guru Tegh Bahadur along with his family visited this place in 1666.^[3]Gurdwara Pahila Bara commonly known as Gurdwara Ghai Ghat, is dedicated to these two Guru is situated at the same holy place.Gurdwara Gobind Ghat,^[4] Gurdwara Guru ka Bagh,^[5] Gurdwara Bal Leela^[6] is directly related to the childhood of The tenth Guru of the Sikhs Guru Gobind Singh.Gurdwara Handi Sahib was built in the memory of Guru Teg Bahadur. As Guru Teg Bahadur with Mata Gujri and Bala Preetam stayed here in 1728^[7]

After the partition of India in 1947, many Sikhs came to Patna.^[8] The total population of Sikhs in Biharis only 20,780. Most of bihari Sikhs are Nanak panthi. Most of the Sikhs are residing in Patna and mainly they are self employed or in business

Jainism

Vardhamana Mahavira, the 24th and the last Tirthankara of Jainism, was born in Vaishali around sixth century B.C.^[9]

Hinduism

Vishnupadh Temple, Gaya, Bihar

Hinduism being the main religion of the state, most of the festivals stem from it. There are many variations on the festival theme. While some are celebrated all over the state, others are observed only in certain areas. But Bihar being so diverse, different regions and religions have something to celebrate at sometime or the other during the year. So festivals take place round the year.

On arrival in any part of this state, a tourist finds around him evidence of the extent to which religion enters into the daily life of the people. The calendar is strewn with festivals and fairs of different communities living together. Many of these are officially recognised by the days on which they take place being proclaimed as Government holidays.

The battle cries of the Bihar Regiment, consisting of 17 battalions, are "Jai Bajrang Bali" (Victory to Lord Hanuman).

Christianity

Padari ki haveli is a Roman Catholic church of centuries.

Other Religion

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Religious Demographics

Hinduism is practised by 82% of the population and forms the majority religion in the state.^[11] Islam is practised by 17.5% of the population, and other religions less than 0.5%.^[11]

See also

• Religion in India
• Bihar

References