People And Religion of Rajasthan

Rajasthan is the land which gives tourists on India trip an opportunity to experience the diversity of in terms of people and religion. Hindus make the biggest community in Rajasthan. They are worshippers of Tridevs (Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh), the Shakti, as well as many other deities. The members of the Vallabhacharya section of Hindus worship Lord Krishna and visit Nathdwara, one of their main religious centers in Rajasthan. Islam is the second most popular religion in Rajasthan. The city of Ajmer has large population of Muslims. This city was captured by Muslim invaders during 12th century. The Muslims are nearly 10% of the total population of Rajasthan. Most of the Muslims are Sunni Muslims. Jainism is another main religion in Rajasthan followed by a large number of people. Jains are most traders and are considered a wealthy class of society. Their main pilgrimage sites in Rajasthan are Mahavirji, Ranakpur, Dhulev, and Karera. Followers of Dadu (born in 1603 AD), known as Dadupanthi, also make an important section in Rajasthan. They are strict vegetarians and follow abstinence from liquor. Christians and Sikhs are present is very small numbers in Rajasthan.

The state of Rajasthan has good population of indigenous people. They include the Meo and Minas (Minawati) mostly settled in Alwar, Jaipur, Bharatpur, and Dholpur areas. Banjaras are basically the artisans who do not settle at one place and keep on traveling from one place to another. Gadia Lohars are ironsmiths who make household items. They also travel from one place to another in their bullock carts. Bhils is an ancient class, having good skills in archery. Most of their population is settled in Bhilwara, Chittaurgarh, Dungarpur, Banswara, Udaipur, and Sirohi regions. Mahajans belong to trading class and have many sub-groups. They are either Hindus or Jains. Jats and Gujars are mostly settled in the northern and western parts of the Rajasthan. They do agriculture and farming. Rabari and Raika are nomadic people who breed camels (Marus group) or sheep/goats (Chalkias group). Rajputs make a prominent section in Rajasthan but are small in numbers. Some other sections of society in Rajasthan include the Grasia, nomadic Kathodi, Sahariyas, the Rabaris, and the Oswals.