Browsing: Beginners’ Guide

Yatra is an important part of Hindu ritual, and many annual yatras in India are specially organized by the government to maintain their registrations, stipulating numbers, regulating their traffic, arranging food and lodging and other safety measures.

Sanatan Dharma forms the foundation of Hindu religious and cultural philosophy. The word ‘Sanatan’ means ‘ancient’; it also means ‘eternal’ or ‘everlasting’.

The term Hinduism is a recent phenomenon while Sanatana Dharma is a more relevant term to define the sanctity of our Indian religion. ‘Hinduism’ or ‘Hindu’ was coined by foreign invaders for the people residing near the River Sindhu.

The entire cosmic creation begins from the point of the Pancha Bhutas or the 5 elements. They are Earth or Prithvi, Water or Jal, Fire or Agni, Air or Vayu, Ether or Akash.

The geographical definition of ‘Hindu’ is ‘one who is born in Bharat’ (India). Then again, one who is born to Hindu parents is a familial statement and one who is born into the fourfold caste system is its genetic inheritance description.

Spiritual progress is the ultimate goal of every individual’s life as per Sanatana Dharma. For advanced and rapid spiritual progress every Hindu is expected to follow stipulated code of conduct including ten yamas (restrictions) and ten niyamas (observation).

India is known for its rich and vibrant heritage. Hindu religion is considered quite inseparable from the ancient legal system. Being one of the oldest civilizations of the world