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Religion in Bihar

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Religion in Bihar, as per 2023 Bihar caste-based census[1][2][3]

  Hinduism (82%)
  Islam (17.70%)
  Buddhism (0.0851%)
  Jainism (0.0096%)
  Christianity (0.05%)
  Sikhism (0.011%)
  Other (0.1274%)

Hinduism is the most followed religion in Bihar, followed by nearly 82% of total population as per 2023 Bihar Caste based census. Islam is the second-most followed religion which is followed by nearly 17.7% of population. There is also a significant population of Buddhists and Christians in the state.

History of religion in Bihar

[edit]
See also: Jainism in Bihar and Christianity in Bihar

Hindu Goddess Sita, the consort of Lord Rama, is believed to have been born in Sitamarhi district in the Mithila region of modern-day Bihar.[4][5] It was the Ancient Bihar that give birth to new Indic religions: Buddhism and Jainism. Gautama Buddha attained Enlightenment at Bodh Gaya, a town located in the modern day district of Gaya in Bihar. Vasupujya, the 12th Jain Tirthankara was born in Champapuri, Bhagalpur. Vardhamana Mahavira, the 24th and last Tirthankara of Jainism, was born in Vaishali around the sixth century BC.[6] Bodh Gaya in Bihar is an important pilgrimage center for the global Buddhists. The tenth Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh, was born here in 1666 and spent his early years here before moving to Anandpur.[7] The Gurdwara at Patna Sahib marks the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh.[7]

Religious demographics

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See also: Demographics of Bihar

The main religions in the Indian state of Bihar are Hinduism (practiced by 82.7% of the population) and Islam (16.9%) as of 2011.

As Per Recently Released Bihar caste-based survey 2022, Hinduism is Practised by 81.99% and Islam is Followed by 17.70%.[1]

Statistics

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Religion wise historical population of Bihar (incl. Jharkhand prior to 2001 census)
Religion
Census
 Total population Hinduism Islam Christianity Budhisim Sikhism Jainism Other religions Not Stated
1951[8] 38,786,184 33,075,664 4,373,360 415,548 1,092 37,947 8,165 874,408
1961[8] 46,455,610 39,347,050 5,785,631 502,195 2,885 44,413 17,598 755,838
1971[9] 56,353,369 47,031,801 7,594,173 658,717 4,806 61,520 25,185 976,997 170
1981[10] 69,914,734 58,011,070 9,874,993 740,186 3,003 77,704 27,613 1,179,878 287
1991[11] 86,374,465 71,193,417 12,787,985 843,717 3,518 78,212 23,049 1,443,258 1,309
2001[12] 82,998,509 69,076,919 13,722,048 53,137 18,818 20,780 16,085 52,905 37,817
2011[13] 104,099,452 86,078,686 17,557,809 129,247 25,453 23,779 18,914 13,437 252,127
2022 survey[1][3] 130,725,310 107,181,681 23,138,379 75,238 111,247 14,753 12,523 189,343 2,146
Religion growth rate (in %)
Religion 2001 2011 2023[1][3]
Hinduism 83.22 82.7 81.99
Islam 16.5 16.9 17.70
Buddhism 0.02 0.02 0.0851
Christianity 0.06 0.12 0.05
Sikhism 0.03 0.02 0.011
Jainism 0.02 0.02 0.0096
Other 0.06 0.01 0.1274
Non-religious 0.2 0.001

Hinduism

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Deo Sun Temple, Deo

Hinduism is the main religion of the state, being practiced by 82.7% of the total state population. The Hindu population in Bihar is 86,078,686 as of 2022 census report. Hindus are majority in all the districts in Bihar except Kishanganj. 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.

Vishnupad Mandir, Gaya, Bihar

On arrival in any part of this state, tourists find around them 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).

Hindu pilgrimage

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Main article: Hindu Pilgrimage in Bihar

Hindu pilgrimage sites in Bihar are as follows:

Buddhism

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Mahabodhi Temple

Buddhism constitutes 3rd largest religion in Bihar. As per recently released Bihar caste-based survey 2022, there were 111,247 (or 0.085%) Buddhists in the state.[1]

The name Bihar derives from the Sanskrit word vihāra, an important institution of Buddhism meaning "abode". The land of Bihar is considered important in Buddhism as Siddhartha Gautama was said to have attained enlightenment in Bodh Gaya under the Bodhi Tree, making Bodh Gaya the holiest site in Buddhism and a key place of pilgrimage associated with the Mahabodhi Temple Complex in Bihar's Gaya district. Gautama Buddha preached many sermons in different places in Bihar, including Vaishali and Rajgir. Even after his Mahaprinirvana, disciples carried on the doctrine of Buddhism in the regions of Magadha, Bihar. Gautama Buddha's disciples opened several monasteries and universities such as Nalanda University and Vikramshila University. Magadha emperor Ashoka the Great became a Buddhist and made Buddhism the state religion, spreading its doctrine to different parts of India and abroad.

Buddhist Pilgrimage

[edit]
Main article: Buddhist Pilgrimage in Bihar

Buddhist pilgrimages in Bihar are as follows:

Sikhism

[edit]
See also: Agrahari Sikh

The capital of Bihar, Patna, is one of the holiest cities in Sikhism. The tenth Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh, was born here in 1666 and spent his early years here before moving to Anandpur.[7] The Gurdwara at Patna Sahib marks the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh.[7] Patna was visited by 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 Sikhism. Guru Nanak Dev visited Patna and stayed in GaiGhat in 1509, and later same place was visited by Guru Tegh Bahadur along with his family in 1666.[14] Gurdwara Pahila Bara (commonly known as Gurdwara Ghai Ghat) is dedicated to these two Guru and is situated at the same holy place.

Takht Sri Harmandir Sahib, Patna

Other shrines are Gurdwara Gobind Ghat[15] and Gurdwara Guru ka Bagh.[16] Gurdwara Bal Leela[17] is directly related to the childhood of Guru Gobind Singh. Gurdwara Handi Sahib was built in the memory of Guru Teg Bahadur, who stayed here in 1666 with Mata Gujri and Bala Preetam.[18]

After the partition of India in 1947, many Sikhs came to Patna.[19] The total population of Sikhs in Bihar is only 20,780. Most of Bihari Sikhs are Nanakpanthi. Most of the Sikhs are residing in Patna and mainly they are self-employed or in business.

Sikh Pilgrimage

[edit]
Main article: Sikh Pilgrimage in Bihar

Sikh pilgrimages in Bihar are as follows:

Jainism

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The famous Jain temple located at Pawapuri, Bihar
Main article: Jainism in Bihar

Vardhamana Mahavira, the 24th and the last Tirthankara of Jainism, was born in Vaishali around sixth century B.C.[20] Rajgir is birthplace of Munisuvrata, the twentieth Jain tirthankara and Pawapuri is nirvana place of Mahavira the last Jain tirthankara. Pataliputra and Vaishali is significant religious place in Jainism. Champapuri is a Jain pilgrimages where all the five kalyanaks of lord Vasupujya have taken place. The tallest statue of Jain tirthankara Vasupujya which stands 31 Feet in height was built in Champapuri in 2014. The Panch Kalyanak Pratishtha Mahotsav of the statue was done from 27 Feb to 3 Mar 2014.

Jain Pilgrimage

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Main article: Jain Pilgrimage in Bihar

Jain pilgrimages in Bihar are as follows:

Islam

[edit]
See also: Bihari Muslims

Islam constitutes second largest religion in Bihar. According to 2011 Indian census, there were 17,557,809 Muslims in the state.[21]

Christianity

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Main article: Christianity in Bihar

Padari ki haveli is a Roman Catholic church of centuries. Holy Saviour Church of Arrah is also historically important site.

Baháʼí Faith

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See also: Baháʼí Faith in India

In 2012, plans were announced for the construction of a local Baháʼí Faith House of Worship in Bihar Sharif.[22] This would be the second Baháʼí House of Worship in India (the first being the well-known Lotus Temple in Delhi),[23] and one of the first two local Baháʼí Houses of Worship in Asia (the other being in Battambang, Cambodia).[22]

In 2013, the Baháʼí World Centre released an hour-and-a-half-long video in five languages entitled Frontiers of Learning, showing Baháʼí community-building activities in four cities from different continents, the fourth of which is Bihar Sharif.[24]

Other religions

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Sarnaism has a presence among the tribal populations.

See also

[edit]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Joy, Shemin. "Caste survey in Bihar: OBCs, EBCs make up 63.13% of population; Gen Category 15.52%". Deccan Herald.
  2. ^ "Bihar Caste Census Population, Religion-wise Population & more". RajNeetPG. 3 October 2023.
  3. ^ a b c "Bihar caste census results out, OBCs form 63% of population, General 16%". India Today.
  4. ^ "Sitamarhi". Britannica. Archived from the original on 27 April 2015. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  5. ^ "History of Sitamarhi". Official site of Sitamarhi district. Archived from the original on 20 December 2014. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  6. ^ Pathak Prabhu Nath,Society and Culture in Early Bihar, Commonwealth Publishers, 1988, p. 140
  7. ^ a b c d Johar, Surinder Singh (1979). Guru Gobind Singh: A Study. Marwah Publications. p. 23.
  8. ^ a b "Paper No 1 of 1963, India - Census 1961" (PDF). Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 July 2024.
  9. ^ "Religion, Series-1 - Census 1971" (PDF). Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 January 2023.
  10. ^ "Household Population by Religion of Head of Household, Series-1, Paper 3 of 1984, India - Census 1981" (PDF). Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 July 2024.
  11. ^ "C-9 Religion , INDIA - 1991" (XLXS). Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Archived from the original on 10 August 2023.
  12. ^ "C-01: Population by religious community, India - 2001" (XLS). Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Archived from the original on 29 July 2024.
  13. ^ "C-01: Population by religious community, India - 2011" (XLS). Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Archived from the original on 26 August 2022.
  14. ^ "Historical Sikh Gurdawaras in Bihar - India". Archived from the original on 11 January 2010. Retrieved 1 February 2010.
  15. ^ Gurdwara Gobind Ghat Archived 27 May 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  16. ^ "Gurdwara Guru ka Bagh (archived copy)". Archived from the original on 17 February 2012. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
  17. ^ "Gurdwara Bal Leela (archived copy)". Archived from the original on 27 May 2009. Retrieved 1 February 2010.
  18. ^ Gurdwara Handi Sahib Archived 27 May 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  19. ^ "The Sikhism"
  20. ^ Pathak Prabhu Nath,Society and Culture in Early Bihar, Commonwealth Publishers, 1988, pp. 140
  21. ^ "Bihar religion data".
  22. ^ a b "Plans to build new Houses of Worship announced". Baha'i World News Service. 22 April 2012. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
  23. ^ "Iconic "Lotus Temple" focus of worldwide campaign". Baháʼí World News Service. 6 October 2011. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
  24. ^ "Frontiers of Learning". Bahai.org. Retrieved 26 March 2016.
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