With the origins of Hinduism and Buddhism in India, religion is considered to be extremely important.  Of the two religions, Hinduism is infinitely more popular, with an incredible 82 percent of the population practicing it.  Within this majority, there are significant differences in the belief systems and caste divisions.  Although there is division in some areas of Hinduism, there are many areas in common.   They will all go to the pilgrimage sites, coming from all over India and will- if they go to a Brahman priest for birth, marriage and/or death rituals- hear the same Sanskrit verses from hundreds of years ago.

In the shadow of Hindu dominance, there are a few followers of other beliefs such as Christianity, Sikh and Buddhism.