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Hinduism in Meghalaya

2021-06-07T10:02:58Z

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{{Short description|The state is bound to the south by the Bangladeshi divisions of Mymensingh and Sylhet, to the west by the Bangladeshi division of Rangpur, and to the north and east by India's State of Assam. The capital of Meghalaya is Shillong. During the British r}}{{Cleanup|reason=Confusing and in need of more copy-editing|date=April 2020}}

[[File:Nartiang Durga temple.jpg|thumb|[[Nartiang Durga Temple]]]]

[[Hinduism]] is a minority religion in the [[Meghalaya]] state of [[India]] constituting 12% of the state's population. <ref name="census2011">{{cite web|title=Population by religion community – 2011|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01/DDW00C-01%20MDDS.XLS|website=Census of India, 2011|publisher=The Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150825155850/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01/DDW00C-01%20MDDS.XLS|archive-date=18 March 2020}}</ref> The [[Nartiang Durga Temple]] in Meghalaya is one of the 51 [[Shakti peethas]] on Earth and is considered by Hindus of Meghalaya as the permanent abode of Goddess Durga.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Das|first=Manosh|date=15 October 2010 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Lofty-Himalayas-notwithstanding-the-tribal-people-of-Nartiang-in-the-Jaintia-Hills-of-Meghalaya-truly-believe-that-their-scenic-little-hamlet-is-the-permanent-abode-of-Goddess-Durga-Perched-atop-a-hillock-is-the-more-than-600-year-old-and-ancient-Durgabari-a-simple-house-made-of-stones-and-wood-complete-with-tin-roofing-Revered-as-one-of-the-51-Shakti-Peethas-the-temple-has-been-drawing-a-large-number-of-pilgrims-from-all-over-the-country-on-occasion-of-Durga-Puja-/articleshow/6754889.cms|title=Lofty Himalayas notwithstanding, the tribal people of Nartiang in the Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya truly believe that their scenic little hamlet is the "permanent abode" of Goddess Durga. Perched atop a hillock is the more than 600-year old and ancient Durgabari - a simple house made of stones and wood complete with tin roofing. Revered as one of the 51 Shakti Peethas, the temple has been drawing a large number of pilgrims from all over the country on occasion of Durga Puja. - Times of India|website=The Times of India|access-date=20 December 2019}}</ref> Hinduism is a popular religion practice by Rabhas, Hajongs, Kochs, Rajbongshis, Mikirs, Bengalis, Nepalis, Biharis etc.<ref name="census2011"/>

==Tradition==
[[File:Tradtional Hajong granary called Chang Ghor.jpg|thumb|A traditional Hajong Granary has no doors in order to prevent the goddess of wealth and fortune, Lukkhi Dyao (Lakshmi), from running away.]]

===Festivals===
Hinduism is practiced by different groups of [[Meghalaya]]. Hindus celebrate many festivals in Meghalya.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hinduscriptures.com/vedic-culture/5474-2/5474/|title=Cultural festival of Meghalaya {{!}} Vedic Culture|date=2018-02-18|website=Hindu Scriptures {{!}} Vedic lifestyle, Scriptures, Vedas, Upanishads, Itihaas, Smrutis, Sanskrit.|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-08}}</ref> [[Diwali]], [[Behdienkhlam]], [[Navaratri]], etc. are celebrated by people. Navaratri and other Goddess Pujas are celebrated mainly by Bengali people. [[Diwali]] is celebrated by almost all Hindus. Behdienkhlam is celebrated by Pnar/Jaintia Hindus with Niamatre believers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/meghalaya/behdienkhlam-festival/amp_poishow/51795371.cms|title=Behdienkhlam festival {{!}} Culture in Meghalaya {{!}} Times of India Travel|website=timesofindia.indiatimes.com|access-date=2020-04-08}}</ref> [[File:Behdienkhlam Festival.png|thumb|Behdienkhlam is festival celebrated by Hindus and Niamatres in Jowai, Meghalaya]]
In [[Jowai]], [[Behdienkhlam]] is a harvest festival celebrate by Hindus and Niamatre believers. This festival is popular among non-Christian [[Pnar people]](Jaintia).

Many other Hindu festivals celebrate Hindus like [[Makar Sankranti]], [[Diwali]], [[Holi]], [[Navaratri]],etc.

===Important Temples and Shrines===
In Meghalaya, there is [[Shakti Peetha|Shaktipeeth]] at Jaintia hills in [[Nartiang]]. Here, [[Shakti]] is worshipped as Jayanti and [[Bhairava]] is worshipped as Kamadishwar. There many native Brahmins who caretakes temple and organises ritual programs. According to people, this [[Shakti peetha]] is only one on Earth which is abode of [[Durga]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nartiang_Durga_Temple|title=Nartiang Durga Temple - Wikipedia|website=en.m.wikipedia.org|language=en|access-date=2020-04-08}}</ref>{{Circular reference|date=November 2020}}

===Hajong Tradition===
Hajong people practice Hinduism from long time. They worship specific Avatars(equivalent to Hindu deities).
Ex.-
*Lakshmi-Lukkhi Dyao
*Vishnu-Bishnu Dyao
*Shiv-Shib Dyao
*Kartikeya-Katka Dyao
Dyao is derived from Sanskrit word- (देव Deva,modern Indian languages- Dev/Deo).

===Rabha people===
Rabha people's religious world is pervaded with various spirits and natural objects. The main deity of the Rabhas is called Rishi. Rishi, for the forest Rabhas as well as village Rabhas, is a male deity. He is also known as Mahakal. Forest Rabhas worship him in all important social and religious ceremonies.<ref>{{Harvnb|Karlsson|2000|p=162}}</ref>{{clarify|reason=we seem to have lost the cite details|date=July 2017}}

==Demographics==
{{Historical populations
|title = Historical Hindu Population in Meghalaya
|type =
|footnote =
|align = right
|width =
|state =
|shading =
|pop_name =
|percentages =
|source = [[census of India]]<ref>http://gbpihedenvis.nic.in/District%20wise%20Religious%20Population%20%20of%20Meghalaya-2001.html</ref><ref>http://lsi.gov.in › bitstreamPDF
Religion, Part IV-B (ii), Series-16, Meghalaya</ref>
|1981 | 240,831
|1991 | 260,306
|2001 | 207,822
|2011 | 342,078}}
Hinduism constituted 13.27 percent of Meghalaya's population in 2001 and it decreased to 11.53 percent in 2011. Hindus are mainly found in [[West Garo Hills district]] with 19%, [[East Khasi Hills District]] with 17.50% and the [[Ri-Bhoi District]] with 12%.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thenortheasttoday.com/archive/hindu-population-comes-down-in-meghalaya/|title=Hindu population comes down in Meghalaya|newspaper=Times of India|access-date=18 March 2021}}</ref> Hinduism is followed by 42% of the population of [[Shillong]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Shillong Metropolitan Urban Region Population 2011 Census|url=http://www.census2011.com/census/metropolitan/176-shillong.html|website=www.census2011.com}}</ref>

===Percentage in Groups===
According to 2011 census there are 342,078 Hindus living in Meghalaya accounting constituting 11.53% of the state population after Christianity.<ref name="census2011"/> Hinduism is practiced by these following groups:-
*[[Hajong people]] (31,381 – 97.23% Hindu),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hajong_Hinduism|title=Hajong Hinduism - Wikipedia|website=en.m.wikipedia.org|access-date=2020-03-09}}</ref>{{Circular reference|date=November 2020}}
*[[Koch people]] (23,199 – 98.53% Hindu),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/20018/IN|title=Koch (Hindu traditions) in India|last=Project|first=Joshua|website=joshuaproject.net|language=en|access-date=2020-03-09}}</ref>
*[[Rajbongshi people]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajbongshi_people|title=Rajbongshi people - Wikipedia|website=en.m.wikipedia.org|language=en|access-date=2020-03-09}}</ref>{{Circular reference|date=November 2020}}
*[[Rabha tribe]] (28,153 – 94.60% Hindu),
*[[Karbi People]] (Mikir people). (14,380 – 52% Christian and 30% Hindu),
*[[Nepali people]] (54,716 - 80%-90% Hindu 10%-20% Buddhist),
*[[Bengali people]] (232,525 - 60%-55% Hindu, 40%-45% Muslim).
*[[Punjabi people]] (4,540 - 65%-70% Sikh, 30%-35% Hindu)
*[[Marwari people]] (20,251 - 70%-80% Hindu, 20%-30% Jain)
*[[Bihari people]] (42,654 - 70%-80% Hindu, 20%-30% Muslim)
*[[Pnar people]] (Jaintia people).

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Hinduism in India by state or union territory|Meghalaya]]
[[Category:Religion in Meghalaya]]

Ethnic communities in Kolkata

2021-06-07T09:59:29Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2018}}
{{Multiple image
| align =
| direction =
| total_width = 250
| image1 = Durga idol 2011 Burdwan.jpg
| alt1 =
| caption1 = A depiction of [[Durga]] (the [[Hindu deities|Hindu goddess]] of power and destroyer of evil) at [[Bardhaman|Durga temple, Burdwan]], [[West Bengal]]}}
[[File:Kalighater Kali.JPG|thumb|A Kali Puja pandal with a replica of the [[Kalighat Kali Temple]] icon.]]
{{Multiple image
| align = right
| direction = vertical
| width = 200
| image2 = Mala Badal - Bengali Hindu Wedding - Howrah 2015-12-06 7716.JPG
| caption2 = A [[Bengali Hindu wedding]] in [[Kolkata, West Bengal]]}}
{{Pie chart
|thumb = right
|caption = Linguistic groups in Kolkata city (2011)
|label1 = Bengali
|value1 = 61.45
|color1 = red
|label2 = Hindi
|value2 = 22.84
|color2 = Orange
|label3 = Urdu
|value3 = 13.03
|color3 = Green
|label4 = Odia
|value4 = 0.58
|color4 = yellow
|label5 = Gujarati
|value5 = 0.57
|color5 = Pink
|label6 = Punjabi
|value6 = 0.35
|color6 = Grey
|label7 = Nepali
|value7 = 0.18
|color7 = blue
|label8 = Others
|value8 = 1.0
|color8 = Brown}}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ ''Kolkata city linguistic diversity as per (2011 census)''<ref>https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-1900.XLSX</ref>
|-
! Languages
! Population
|-
| [[Bengali language|Bengali]]
| 2,763,291
|-
| [[Hindi language|Hindi]]
| 1,027,173
|-
| [[Urdu language|Urdu]]
| 586,234
|-
| [[Odia language|Odia]]
| 26,158
|-
| [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]]
| 25,667
|-
| [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]]
| 15,913
|-
| [[Nepali language|Nepali]]
| 8,089
|-
| [[Sindhi language|Sindhi]]
| 3,724
|-
| Others
| 40,445
|-
| Total
| 4,496,694
|}

[[Kolkata]], India, is largely inhabited by the ethnic community of the native [[Bengali people]] (both [[Ghoti]] and [[Bangal]] origin) respectively. According to a report by the Indian Statistical Institute owned by the Government of India, the Kolkata city had a population of 4.5 million as of 2011 out of which the population of [[Bengali people]] in Kolkata is almost 61.45% which comprised the majority of the city's population, whereas ethnic groups like [[Marwaris]], [[Biharis]] and Urdu-speaking muslims together forming 35.87% of the population which comes under the category of large minorities. Other Various micro-minortiy communities of Kolkata include as far as concerned follows -: [[Sindhi people]], [[Pathan people]], [[Marathi people]], [[Odia people]], [[Gujarati people]], [[Kashmiri people]], [[Punjabi people]], [[People of Nepal|Nepal]]is, [[Telugu people|Telugus]], [[Tamil people|Tamil]], [[Anglo-Indian]], [[Iraqi biradri|Iraqis]], [[Jewish]], [[Armenians|Armenian]], [[Tibetan people|Tibetan]], [[Greeks|Greek]], [[Parsi people|Parsi]], [[Chinese of Calcutta|Chinese]], and [[Iraqi people]].

==Chinese==
[[File:Chinese New Year 2014 in Kolkata - United Friends Group.jpg|thumb|right|Chinese New Year 2014 Celebration in Kolkata]]
[[File:Chinese New Year in Chinatown, Tangra, Kolkata, India.png|thumb|right|The Chinese New Year celebrated in Chinatown]]
[[Chinatown, Kolkata|Chinatown]] ({{lang-bn|চায়নাটাউন, কলকাতা}}) in the eastern part of the city of Kolkata is the only [[Chinatown]] in [[India]].<ref name=TT1>{{cite news|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2004/07/31/2003181147 |title=Calcutta's Chinatown facing extinction over new rule | newspaper=Taipei Times |location=Taipei, Taiwan|date=31 July 2004 |access-date=22 October 2018}}</ref> Once home to 20,000 ethnic Chinese, its population dropped to around 2,000 as of 2009<ref name="BanerjeePage10">{{cite book|editor1-last =Banerjee|editor1-first=Himadri|editor2-last=Gupta|editor2-first=Nilanjana |editor3-last=Mukherjee |editor3-first= Sipra|title=Calcutta mosaic: essays and interviews on the minority communities of Calcutta|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cSTEOx_Lw9MC&dq|access-date=29 January 2012|year=2009|publisher=Anthem Press|location=New Delhi|isbn=978-81-905835-5-8|pages=9–10}}</ref> as a result of multiple factors including repatriation and denial of Indian citizenship following the 1962 [[Sino-Indian War]], and immigration to foreign countries for better economic opportunities.<ref name=thampi>{{cite book |title= India and China in the colonial world||editor-last=Thampi |editor-first= Madhavi |year=2005 |publisher=Social Science Press|location=New Delhi |isbn=8187358203 |pages=60–64 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IZ5RdT5mHHIC |access-date=31 January 2012}}</ref> The Chinese community traditionally worked in the local tanning industry and ran Chinese restaurants.<ref name="BanerjeePage10"/><ref name=TT1 />

==Iraqis==
[[File:ParsiGentlemanCalcutta2010.jpg|thumb|A Parsi gentleman in Kolkata]]
[[Iraqi biradri|Iraqis]] first arrived in Kolkata during late 19th century from Eastern Uttar Pradesh state of India.Today majority are in the leather work of the city. Most of them live in areas of [[Park Circus]] and [[Topsia]]. The present Iraqi population in Kolkata is estimated to be 10,000.

==Jewish==
{{More citations needed section|date=April 2010}}
{{Main|Jews of Kolkata}}
Kolkata's [[Jew]]s are mostly [[Baghdadi Jews]] who came to Kolkata to trade. At one point as strong as 6000, the community has dwindled to about 60 after the formation of [[Israel]]. Today there are only about 30 Jews left in Kolkata. The first recorded Jewish immigrant to Kolkata was [[Shalon Cohen]] in 1798 from [[Aleppo]] in present-day [[Syria]]. The most influential Jewish family in Kolkata was perhaps the father-son real estate magnates [[David Joseph Ezra]] and Elia David Ezra. They were behind such buildings as the [[Chowringhee Mansions]], [[Esplanade Mansions (Kolkata)|Esplanade Mansions]] and the synagogue [[Neveh Shalom Synagogue, Kolkota|Neveh Shalom]].the family also were instrumental in the founding of the Jewish Girls School. Ezra Street in Kolkata is named after them. The community has five independent synagogues in Kolkata, including one in Chinatown, some of which are still active today. The Jewish confectioner Nahoum's in the New Market holds a special place in Kolkata confectionery. Founded in 1902, Nahoum's moved to its present location in the New Market in 1916. It is run today by the original owner's grandson, David Nahoum. A Jewish wedding in Kolkata after a gap of 50 years in the 1990s received a lot of media attention.<ref>[http://unity4equality.blogspot.in/2012/07/tracking-jews-of-kolkata-declining.html unity for equality]</ref> After the establishment of Israel, many Kolkatan Jews left to live in Israel and the size of the Jewish community had a severe decrease.<ref>Basu, Moni. "[http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/03/29/india.jews/index.html Twilight comes for India's fading Jewish community]." ''[[CNN]]''. 29 March 2010. Retrieved on 30 March 2010.</ref>

==Armenian==
[[File:Armenian Christmas 1.jpg|thumb|Armenian Christmas]]

The [[Armenians]] followed the land route through [[Bactria]] to trade with India from ancient times. They were known as the "Merchant Princes of India", and some settled in Emperor [[Akbar]]'s court. Some finally settled in [[Serampore]] and Kolkata, supposedly under the invitation of [[Job Charnock]].

Among notable Armenians, Sir [[Apcar Alexander Apcar]], a prominent businessman, was the head of the [[Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry]]. The size of the Armenian community can be testified by the five Armenian cemeteries in Kolkata, including the one adjunct to the Chapel of Holy Trinity in [[Tangra, Calcutta|Tangra]] and an Armenian church. A gift of Rs. 8000 by [[Asvatoor Mooradkhan]] helped found the [[Armenian College (Kolkata)|Armenian College]] in 1821. Armenian College has been instrumental in pioneering the game of [[Rugby football|rugby]] on the [[Maidan (Kolkata)|Maidan]] turf.
[[File:The grave of Astwasatoor Mooradkhan.jpg|thumb|The grave of Astwasatoor Mooradkhan]]
The Armenians settled in a block close to Free School Street, which even to this day is called [[Armani-para]] ("the neighbourhood of the Armenians"). They have mostly assimilated into the Indian population, and the community has now been reduced to a handful of houses.

{{See also|Armenians in India}}

==Tibetan==
The [[Tibetan people|Tibetans]] were initially annual winter visitors to Kolkata who, along with the [[Bhutias]], vended woollens. Post 1951, Kolkata became home to quite a few Tibetans who used the porous [[Sikkim]]-[[Tibet]] border to get to Kolkata. Winter sees large numbers of Tibetans set up winter garment streetside shops in the area around Wellington Square. The Tibetan community has also contributed to a large number of Tibetan restaurants serving ethnic Tibetan cuisine. Tibetan medicine is well accepted in Kolkata as alternative therapy to terminal illnesses.

==Afghans==
Kolkata was a popular destination for [[Afghans|Afghan]] (including [[Pashtuns|Pathan]]) businessmen from Afghanistan in the 19th century, vending spices and fruits. They are locally known as the ''Kabuliwala'', named after the [[Kabuliwala (short story)|1892 story]] which tells the story of a migrant from [[Kabul]] to Kolkata, and are also nicknamed as the ''Khans'' like elsewhere in India.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/in-search-of-tagore-s-kabuliwala/story-JgtSdmfJp0PKKVokebwYwN.html|title=125 years of Tagore’s Kabuliwala: Here’s what life is like for the community today|date=29 June 2017|publisher=Hindustan Times}}</ref>

==Greek==
The [[Greeks]] emigrated to India after the [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] and [[Turkey|Turkish]] invasions in the 16th century. Kolkata had a sizeable Greek community, mostly a close-knit clan of noble families from the [[Greece|Greek]] island of [[Chios]], pursuing trade with the [[United Kingdom|British]]. The firm of Ralli Brothers is perhaps the most common Greek name in Kolkata; the Rallis sold their firm in the 1960s after Indian independence and moved away, like most of the Greek community. The firm is now known as Ralli India, under the [[Tata Group]] of companies. The Greek community was centred on Amratollah Street around the Greek Church of the Transfiguration (built in 1782). The most famous Greek to hail from Kolkata possibly was the gifted violinist [[Marie Nicachi]] who embarked on a European tour in 1910 and played at the courts of Emperor [[Franz Joseph I of Austria|Franz Josef]] of [[Austria]] and Tsar [[Nicholas II]] of [[Russia]]. She settled in her familial home of [[Corfu]] after [[World War I]]. The Greek contribution to the city will be remembered by the pioneering social work at the [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Greek Orthodox Church]] and the Panioty Fountain in the [[Maidan (Kolkata)|Maidan]]—named after Demetrius Panioty, personal secretary to the "friend of India," [[Lord Ripon]].

==See also==
{{Portal|India}}
*[[Chinese of Calcutta]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.bongblogger.com/greek-cemetery-calcutta-kolkata/ Greek Cemetery Kolkata]
* [http://www.bongblogger.com/chinese-new-year-2015-in-kolkata-calcutta/ Chinese New Year 2015 in Kolkata]
* [http://www.bongblogger.com/chinese-in-kolkata-calcutta/ Chinese in Kolkata]
* https://web.archive.org/web/20100121071143/http://calcutta-armenians.blog.co.uk/
* https://web.archive.org/web/20090207105027/http://calcutta-armenians.blog.co.uk/2005/10/01/the_vanishing_calcutta_armenians~211029/
*[http://www.rangan-datta.info/photo/thumbs.php?gallery=47 Photos of Parsi Fire Temple, Calcutta]
*[http://www.rangan-datta.info/photo/thumbs.php?gallery=45 Photos of Synagogues, Calcutta]
*[http://www.rangan-datta.info/photo/thumbs.php?gallery=49 Photos of Chinese Temple, calcutta]
*[http://www.rangan-datta.info/photo/thumbs.php?gallery=27 Photos of Chinese New Year]
* [http://www.bongblogger.com/lion-dance-display-cultural-show-2016-in-kolkata-calcutta/ Chinese New New Year and Lion Dance Display in Kolkata]

{{West Bengal}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ethnic Communities In Kolkata}}
[[Category:Demographics of India]]
[[Category:Ethnic groups in Kolkata| ]]