Hinduism
Hinduism (Sanatana Dharma, "the eternal way") is a family of traditions sharing reverence for the Vedas and the belief that all life is sacred and connected.
Has no single founder; its roots in the Indian subcontinent go back more than 3,000 years. It includes many schools of devotion, philosophy and practice.
Core ideas
- Brahman: one ultimate reality, worshipped in many divine forms
- Dharma (right living), karma, and rebirth
- Many paths to the divine: devotion, knowledge, action and meditation
- Moksha: liberation from the cycle of rebirth
Common practices
- Puja (worship) at home and temple
- Festivals like Diwali and Holi
- Yoga and meditation
- Devotional singing (bhajan, kirtan)
US temples serve many regional communities and often hold weekend pujas, cultural classes and festivals open to visitors.
Sacred texts
All traditions' scriptures →Hindu scripture is a vast library rather than one book, and families and temples often follow particular texts and teachers. The Bhagavad Gita is the most widely read starting point.
Bhagavad Gita
Original language: Sanskrit
A 700-verse dialogue between Prince Arjuna and Krishna, part of the epic Mahabharata, on duty, devotion and the self. Many English translations exist; temple communities often recommend their own.
Vedas, Upanishads and the epics
Original language: Sanskrit
The Vedas are the oldest scriptures and are chanted in ritual. The Upanishads explore the nature of reality and the self, and are central to Vedanta. The Ramayana and Mahabharata epics, and the Puranas, carry much of the stories behind festivals and worship.
Read free online or in an app
- Vedabase · Free online Bhagavad-gita As It Is (ISKCON) with Sanskrit, word meanings and commentary.
- Holy-Bhagavad-Gita.org · Free Sanskrit, transliteration, translation and commentary, verse by verse.
Branches and communities
Hindu temples
Vaishnava, Shaiva, Shakta and community temples
Most US temples honor several deities, with priests performing daily rituals and families gathering on weekends.
Beliefs: Devotion to God in forms such as Vishnu (and Krishna, Rama), Shiva or the Goddess, all seen as expressions of the divine.
Worship: Darshan (seeing the deity), aarti (offering of light), and pujas led by priests. Weekend mornings and evenings are busiest.
On a first visit
- Remove shoes, dress modestly, and you're welcome to walk around quietly.
- You may be offered prasad (blessed food); accept it with your right hand.
Larger bodies you'll see on listings: BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha
Find a temple (mandir) near meVedanta, Yoga & Kirtan
Vedanta Society, ISKCON (Hare Krishna), Self-Realization Fellowship
Teaching-centered communities, often welcoming to people from any background, focused on meditation, philosophy or devotional chanting.
Beliefs: Vedanta teaches that the true self is one with the divine; ISKCON centers devotion to Krishna through chanting.
Worship: Lectures, meditation and kirtan (call-and-response chanting), often followed by a vegetarian meal.
On a first visit
- Sunday programs are designed for newcomers.
Larger bodies you'll see on listings: ISKCON (Hare Krishna), Vedanta Society
Find a temple (mandir) near me