45 Little-Known Facts About Hinduism That Most Hindus Don't Know

Last Updated on February 1, 2023

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Summary: This article will take you to the depths of lesser-known facts about Hinduism that will blow your mind. Do not forget to share this with your friends and family. I hope you ejoy these Hinduism facts and learn something you never learned.

When it comes to religion and faith, most people tend to stick with their own beliefs and ideas. There are people who belong to churches or mosques, but there are also those who follow other beliefs such as Hinduism.

Hinduism is one of the oldest known religions in the history of this humanity and it’s not just one interesting fact about this religion, there are many.

So without wasting any time, let’s dive deep into this article and find out some mind-blowing facts about Hindu mythology.

Fact 1: The Actual Name Of Hinduism Is Not “Hinduism”

The name we use, Hinduism or Hindu dharma, is not the original one. The Hindu religion got its name from the root word “Indus,” which was given to it by the Persians when they conquered India in the sixth century BC. Santana Dharm which translates to “righteousness forever,” is its proper name, and it literally translates to “the Eternal Path of Salvation.”

Fact 2: World’s Oldest Text Is Rig Veda

Sanskrit was the language used to write the Rig Veda, which is ancient literature. Although the precise year is unknown, most historians agree that it occurred around 1500 B.C. Since it is the world’s oldest book, Hinduism is also frequently called the oldest religion.

Fact 3: Scientists Are Still Uncovering Vedas’ Cosmic Knowledge

One of the earliest collections of sacred texts is Hinduism’s Vedas. The Vedas, written around 1500 B.C., include a wealth of information about the cosmos and world that modern science is just beginning to uncover.

Fact 4: Om, Was Said And It Was Then that The Universe Was Created

There are a number of tales in Hindu mythology that are said to describe how the cosmos was first created. Most people believe that the universe was created through the sacred syllable OM.

So, everything began with the sound of OM. Before it, there was only a bottomless abyss.

Fact 5: 90% of Hindus Live in India

After Christianity and Islam, Hinduism is the third most popular faith in the world. Since Hinduism’s roots can be traced back to India’s vast population, it is not surprising that this religion is practiced by approximately one billion people today. Of the world’s Hindus, 92% reside in India.

Fact 6: Hinduism Did Not Originate from A Single Founder Like Islam or Christianity

Unlike Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, Hinduism has no single, central figure. India’s diverse cultural heritage, including the Aryan and Dravidian traditions, helped foster the development of Hinduism.

Fact 7: A Hindu Deity Inspired the English Word Juggernaut

A Hindu Deity Inspired the English Word Juggernaut

Juggernaut, which means “large” or “strong” in English, is named for the Hindu god Lord Jagannath. Every year, the city of Puri in the Indian state of Odisha has a celebration known as The Holy Rath Yatra, which features a parade of chariots.

Fact 8: Hinduism Has Its Own Language

Sanskrit is an ancient language used for the writing of Hindu scriptures. Some researchers have linked the English words “mother” and “father” to their Sanskrit counterparts, mata and pitha. Moreover, Sanskrit is the native tongue that all of the sixteen modern Indian dialects developed.

As a bonus, Sanskrit has also been demonstrated to be the most compatible language for use on computers.

Fact 9: Many Religions Developed From Hindu Principals

A number of different religions, including Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism, originated from the core beliefs of Hinduism. The United States is home to a number of Hindu religious communities, including the Vedanta Society and the Hare Krishnas, both of which are subgroups of the larger Hindu religion.

Fact 10: The Hindu Religion Places a Greater Emphasis on A Variety of Texts

The Hindu religion places a greater emphasis on a number of distinct texts. The Srimad Bhagavatam is the central scripture for Hare Krishnas, while the Thirukural is the central scripture for Saivites (followers of the god Siva). Some Hindus prefer to read the Vedas, while some prefer to read Puranas.

Fact 11: Hinduism is The Oldest Known Religion

No one religion’s beginning date can be determined with any degree of certainty. But it is commonly accepted that Hinduism is among the world’s oldest religions. Most academics agree that Hinduism predates all other religions by at least four thousand years.

Fact 12: Word Hindu Or Hinduism Has No Real Meaning

Since Hinduism was not originally created as a religious movement, the term “Hinduism” is meaningless. The people who live near the “Sindhu” river are referred to as “Hindus” by individuals from other countries, most notably the Greeks and the Arabs.

Fact 13: Everything Is Divine According To Hindu Mythology

The idea that Brahman (roughly translated as “the Absolute” or “the Divine”) permeates the entire universe is the single most profound spiritual truth revealed through the Vedas. So it’s believed that all living things share this heavenly truth or its core character.

Fact 14: Hinduism Has Three Main Dieties

The Hindu trinity of Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the preserver), and Shiva (the destroyer) play distinct roles in Hinduism. The Hindu religion centres on these three supreme beings.

Fact 15: Yoga And Vastushastra Are a Part Of Hindusim

Yoga is a Hindu spiritual practice that can be practiced by anyone regardless of their religious affiliation or belief system. It enables one to serve God with love and brings people together on the path to liberation, or moksha.

Fact 16: Largest Hindu Temple Is Not In India

Located in the Cambodian city of Angkor, Angkor Wat is the world’s largest Hindu temple. It was constructed by the Khmer monarch Suryavarman II as his state temple and capital city in the early 12th century.

Fact 17: Holy River Ganga Is The Only River That Can Fastly Decompose Any Organic Waste

The bacteria that live in the Ganges are known as Bacteriophage. There are other hazardous bacteria in the river, but this one infects and kills them. Because of this, water from the Ganges River may be stored for an extended period of time without going bad.

Actually, no other river in the world decomposes organic wastes as quickly as the Ganga does.

Fact 18: There Are Too Many Epics

When compared to other religions, India has an excessive number of epics to follow. There are several stories and fables from each that teach moral lessons and offer advice for living a good life.

Fact 19: The Cycles Of Creation And Destruction

Every living thing, according to Hindu mythology’s account of history, goes through a timeless cycle of birth and extinction called the Maha Yuga. Over the course of four Yugas (Satya-Yuga, Treta-Yuga, Dvapara-Yuga, Kali-Yuga), this pattern repeats according to Hinduism.

Fact 20: Only Religion That Talks About Metaverse And Extraterrestrial Life

Gandharavas, Kinnaras, Apsaras, and Nagas are only few of the different types of entities that have been documented in Hindu scriptures. These beings aren’t native to our universe, but rather they come from another. The Hindu belief that this world is an illusion, known as “maya,” has a modern-day counterpart in the “metaverse,” the digital embodiment of this belief.

Fact 21: Nepal Was Founded By a Hindu Saint

According to local folklore, Nepal was established and given its current name in honour of a Hindu Saint named Nemi Muni or Ne Muni.

Fact 22: Only Religion To Worship God In Any Form

Hindus hold that Brahman can assume many forms, and they recognise that each individual has their own unique path to the Divine. So Hindu mythology believes that the Divine can be worshipped in any form like male, female, plants, or animals. This is the reason why the Cows and Tulsi plant is considered to be auspicious.

Fact 23: Majority Of Hindus Love Lord Shiva

Why Shiva Linga Or Lingam Is Worshipped?

The vast majority of Hindus in India claim a special connection with Shiva, and they explain this by praising him for bestowing his boons on all his devotees and never differentiating between the good or bad, gods or demons.

Fact 24: Principal Of Karma Comes From Hindu Mythology

Many Indian religious traditions (including Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism) link karma with the concept of reincarnation. The roots of this principal eventually comes from Hinduism as per popular beliefs.

Fact 25: Practical Hinduism Relies Heavily on The Rituals Practised by Women

In the context of practical Hinduism, women are able to demonstrate their abilities, pride in themselves, and sense of power, while also seeing themselves in the role of protector of their male partners.

Fact 26: Hinduism Gives Importance To Number 108

A standard mala, often known as a rosary, consists of 108 beads. Vedic astronomers and mathematicians viewed this number as a link between the solar system’s three major bodies—the Sun, Moon, and Earth.

Fact 27: According to Hindu Mythology Time Is a Manifestation of God

Unlike the Western belief in a linear timeline, Hindus see time as an expression of God and thus as eternal. They regard life as a succession of phases that begins to end.

Fact 28: A Religion That Does Not Consider Pursuit of Wealth as a Sin

Hinduism does not view the pursuit of wealth as sinful, and the existence of the goddess Lakshmi, who represents both material and spiritual prosperity, is evidence of this.

Fact 29: Hindu Temples Are Energy Centers

If you’re looking for a place to find positive energy, look no further than the ancient Hindu temples. These sacred spaces serve as energetic power plants, stimulating the chakras and inducing devotees to a state of deep meditation.

Fact 30: Hinduism Believes In Murti Puja

Hindus use sacred statues called murti to depict the many guises that God takes. Murti provides a means of contemplating Brahman, which, is endless and formless.

Fact 31: Steve Jobs Was Fond Of Hindu Philosophies

As a young man, Steve Jobs travelled to India to explore Hindu temples because he was interested in Hindu philosophy. He recommended that Mark Zuckerberg go to Kainchi Dham, a temple in Uttarakhand, to find some solace and spirituality.

Fact 32: The Two Most Prominent Hindu Symbols Are the Aum and The Swastika

Main Hindu symbols include the AUM and the Swastika. Aside from these, other common Hindu symbols include the Kalash, Trishul, Tilak, Lingam, etc.

Fact 33: For Hindus, the Soul Exists Beyond Death

The atman, or soul, in Hinduism, is thought to exist forever. The soul is reincarnated into a new body after the death of the physical body. We name this endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth samsara.

Fact 34: Hinduism Have Four Goals

According to Hindu mythology every human being that takes birth in this universe have 4 goals: Dharma (spiritual growth), Artha (material wealth), Kama (material enjoyment), and Moksha (spiritual emancipation).

Fact 35: World’s Richest Temple is Situated In India

India is home to the world’s most expensive religious pilgrimage destination, the Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. More than $25 billion are stored there in the form of jewels and other rare properties.

Fact 36: Hinduism Believes In Vegetarian Diet

Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism practice ahimsa. It signifies “kindness” and “not to harm” in Sanskrit. Because eating meat is seen to hurt animals, many Hindus are vegetarians.

Fact 37: Kumbh Mela Is World’s Largest Gathering

The Kumbh Mela is a religious festival where millions of Hindus gather to take a holy dip in the Ganges River. The Kumbh Mela is an event that has become an important part of the Hindu religious calendar.

Fact 38: The Sound Of Universe Is AUM

Hinduism’s holiest syllable, symbol, or mantra is Om (also spelled Aum). It can be repeated in isolation or as an introduction to a mantra. It’s considered Brahman’s sound.

Fact 39: Hinduism BelievesThat Salvation Is For All

It can in no way be claimed that followers of other faiths are incapable of finding salvation or attaining enlightenment. Meditation on the name of God is one of the paths that leads to salvation.

Fact 40: Hinduism Is a Pluralistic Religion

In its core, Hinduism is a religiously pluralistic tradition that encourages openness to and appreciation of other faiths and their possible truth claims.

Fact 41: Only Religion that Has Never Conquered a Nation or Faith to Convert Them

To my knowledge, Hinduism is the only faith that has never invaded another country or another religion in order to convert its people to Hinduism.

Fact 42: Three Major Sects in Hinduism: Shaiva, Shakti, and Vaishnava

There are four main schools of thought within Hinduism. These are Vaishnavism, Shaivism, Smartism, and Shaktism. The supreme deity and accompanying rituals vary greatly across the many religions.

Fact 43: Singapore is Built On The Principals Of Vastu

According to the principles of Vastu Shastra, every structure and plot of ground has its own unique energy vibration. The Singapore residence has a favourable Vastu overall rating of A, with a strength of 80%, according to the detailed Vastu assessment.

Fact 44: Hanuman Chalisa Predicts The Exact Distance Of Sun From Earth

It was in the 16th century that Saint Tulsidas penned the Hanuman Chalisa, a hymn to the Hindu god Hanuman. This prayer passage reads:

“Yuga-Sahasra-yojana para Bhanu Leeloo Tahi Madhura Phala Janu”

Many mathematicians have calculated the distance of the Sun from the earth and they have found that Hanuman Chalisa exactly predicts the distance which is 152 million km.

Fact 45: Hinduism Has 330 Million Gods

One of the most intriguing Hindu Mythology facts regarding Hindu Gods is that they number 330 million. Only 33 major deities are mentioned in the Vedas, with others being their avatars and reincarnations.