Religion in Arunachal Pradesh
Encyclopedia
Owing to its ethnic and cultural diversity, Arunachal Pradesh
has long been a spot for the syncretism of different traditional religions. Most followers of the native Donyi-Polo
religion live in Arunachal Pradesh, and the province is also home to substantial Hindu
, Buddhist and Christian
populations, the latter introduced by missionaries over the past century. A small Muslim
presence also exists in the province.
According to the 2001 Indian Census, the religions of Arunachal Pradesh break down as follows:
Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh is a state of India, located in the far northeast. It borders the states of Assam and Nagaland to the south, and shares international borders with Burma in the east, Bhutan in the west, and the People's Republic of China in the north. The majority of the territory is claimed by...
has long been a spot for the syncretism of different traditional religions. Most followers of the native Donyi-Polo
Donyi-Polo
Donyi-Polo is an animist religion, literally meaning "Sun-Moon" . It is followed by many of the tribal groups of Arunachal Pradesh, India like the Galos, Adis, Apatanis, Nishis, Hill Miris, Mishings...
religion live in Arunachal Pradesh, and the province is also home to substantial Hindu
Hinduism in India
Hinduism is a religious tradition of India, with 80.5% of the population identifying themselves as Hindus. The vast majority of Hindus in India belong to Vaishnavite and Shaivite denominations.The Vedic culture originated in India between 2000 and 1500 BC...
, Buddhist and Christian
Christianity in India
Christianity is India's third-largest religion, with approximately 24 million followers, constituting 2.3% of India's population. The works of scholars and Eastern Christian writings and 14th century Portuguese missionaries created an illusion to convert Indians that Christianity was introduced to...
populations, the latter introduced by missionaries over the past century. A small Muslim
Islam in India
Islam is the second-most practiced religion in the Republic of India after Hinduism, with more than 13.4% of the country's population ....
presence also exists in the province.
According to the 2001 Indian Census, the religions of Arunachal Pradesh break down as follows:
- Hindu: 379,935 (34.6%)
- Others (mostly Donyi-PoloDonyi-PoloDonyi-Polo is an animist religion, literally meaning "Sun-Moon" . It is followed by many of the tribal groups of Arunachal Pradesh, India like the Galos, Adis, Apatanis, Nishis, Hill Miris, Mishings...
): 337,399 (30.7%) - Christian: 205,548 (18.7%)
- Buddhist: 143,028 (13.0%)
- Muslim: 20,675 (1.9%)
- SikhSikhismSikhism is a monotheistic religion founded during the 15th century in the Punjab region, by Guru Nanak Dev and continued to progress with ten successive Sikh Gurus . It is the fifth-largest organized religion in the world and one of the fastest-growing...
: 1,865 (0.1%) - JainJainismJainism is an Indian religion that prescribes a path of non-violence towards all living beings. Its philosophy and practice emphasize the necessity of self-effort to move the soul towards divine consciousness and liberation. Any soul that has conquered its own inner enemies and achieved the state...
: 216 (<0.1%)
External links
- Hindu Activists claim Christianity to be professed by 60% of the population
- Hindu activists against christian conversion
- Local-based missionary profile
- India enacts anti-conversion law
- Christian profiles by state
- http://www.censusindia.gov.in/Census_Data_2001/Census_data_finder/C_Series/Population_by_religious_communities.htm