Tamil Society Insight

Where Do 95% of Hindus Live?

Over 95% of Hindus, the global population practicing Hinduism, primarily reside in India. Also known as Hindus in South Asia, they form the backbone of a religious tradition that’s lived, not just believed — passed down through family rituals, temple visits, and daily routines that vary by village, state, and language. This isn’t just about numbers. It’s about culture rooted in place. From the temples of Tamil Nadu to the ghats of Varanasi, Hinduism doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It thrives where people cook, celebrate, mourn, and pray in ways shaped by centuries of local history.

The Hindu population, the largest religious group in India, with over 960 million people. Also known as Indian Hindus, they make up nearly 80% of the country’s total population. But even within India, it’s not evenly spread. States like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan hold the biggest shares. Yet, in the south, places like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have just as deep a connection — just expressed differently. Here, festivals like Karthigai Deepam replace Diwali in many homes. Carnatic music replaces bhajans. The language of prayer is Tamil, not Hindi. This isn’t a footnote. It’s central to understanding how Hinduism actually lives.

Why does this matter? Because when people ask where Hindus live, they’re really asking: Where is Hinduism alive? Not just in temples, but in kitchens where sweets are made for Diwali, in fields where farmers pray before harvest, in schools where kids learn slokas in the morning. The answer isn’t just a map. It’s a mosaic of languages, foods, dances, and family customs. You’ll find Hindus in every corner of India — but you’ll also find that what they believe, how they worship, and what they celebrate changes with every river and mountain range.

And that’s what you’ll see in the posts below. Articles that dig into how Diwali is celebrated differently in Tamil Nadu, why blue gods appear in South Indian art, how folk music in rural India carries spiritual meaning, and why Ayurveda and food taboos vary by region. This isn’t about statistics. It’s about real people, in real places, living a faith that’s as diverse as the land itself.