Punjabi Hindus

Sanatana Dharma

Most Hindus in the Punjab follow Sanatana Dharma, which is Sanskrit for the eternal path. Hinduism in Punjab, like in many other parts of India, has adapted over time and has become a synthesis of culture and history. Hinduism in Punjab centers on the concept of connecting with ones own "self energy" or Paramātmā. To reach ones own Paramātmā, Hinduism emphasizes to use Dharma to truthfully nurture and purify the soul, or Atma. Hindus do this while acknowledging the concept of Brahman or "external energy", which is a metaphysical concept that is believed to be the single binding unity behind diversity in all that exists in the universe. In Punjab, Hindus revere ancient texts that narrate stories of deities (Devas and Devis) that had reached their highest selves (Paramātmā or "supreme souls"), and so became admired and respected Bhagavans who are honored for their roles in history as the upholders of the principles of Dharma. Hindus believe that a supreme Bhagavan manifests itself through these Devas and Devis. Major deities worshipped include Rama and Sita from the Ramayana, Krishna and Radha from the Mahabharata, as well as the Trimurti and Tridevi of Shiva and Parvati, Vishnu and Lakshmi, and Brahma and Sarasvati, along with other prominent deities such as Durga Mataji, Ganesha and Hanuman.

As Hindus believe that Dharma is universal and other paths, religious and spiritual traditions are also equally able to nurture one's Atma or "inner being", it is believed any being is able to reach Paramātmā in their own unique way either through Bhagavan or through devotion to their own personal Ishvara Bhagavan. Punjabi Hindus routinely also pay respects to Sikh Gurus and their dharmic teachings.

Sanatan Dharma Sabha was founded in the Punjab in late 19th century to promote traditional Hinduism. It sent scholars overseas and became a major force in some of the overseas Hindu communities. In January 1933 the session of the All-India Sanatan Dharma Sabha, presided over by Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya.

Punjab is differentiated by the fact that it has the highest population of dalits in India at 31.9%. In some areas of Punjab like Doaba it is as high as 40-50%. Half of Punjabi dalits are Ravidassias with 26.2% Chamar and 14.9% Ad Dharmi of state Scheduled Caste (Dalit) populations. Other Bulk group of is large number of Balmikis at 11.2 percent and Mazhabi Sikhs at 31.6 percent of state Scheduled Caste (Dalit) populations. These two bulk groups are 86.8 percent of total Dalits (Scheduled Castes) of Punjab.^[1]

The Arya Samajis

An important sect amongst Punjabi Hindus is the Arya Samaj. It was founded by Swami Dayananda (born in modern-day Gujarat) in 1875 in Bombay and became popular amongst Hindus in the Punjab and U.P. Arya Samajists hold the Vedic religion to be the only true religion and as such, regard the Vedas as their only religious books, but also regard Upnishad, Darshan Shastras and some other books written by enlightened Rishis, on the condition that the text in these should not be contradictory to Vedas. On this basis Arya Samaj rejected some of the Hindu scriptures like Purana and some other scriptures which, according to Arya Samaj, are against the Vedas. The Arya Samaj also pleads for Shuddhi or the re-conversion into Hinduism of those Hindus who were converted to other religions. The places of worship of the Arya Samajists are different from those of the Sanatan Dharmis and have no idols. Worship includes performing yajnas, reciting mantras and seeking spiritual solace by listening to religious discourses.

Prominent Indian Nationalists from Punjab such as Lala Lajpat Rai belonged to Arya Samaj and were active in propagating the message of Samaj.^[2] During the early part of the 20th century, the Samaj or organizations inspired by it such as Jat Pat Todak Mandal were active in campaigning against caste discrimination.^[3] Other activities the samaj engaged in was that of widow remarriage and women's education.^[4] When the Hindu Nationalist group, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh started expanding in Northern India in the 1930s,they found enthusiasm among the Arya Samajist of Punjab ^[5]

The Samaj is also present in countries such as Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Fiji, Australia,^[6] South Africa,^[7] Kenya,^[8] Mauritius^[9] and other countries where a significant Hindu diaspora is present. Immigrants to Canada from East Africa (mainly Punjabi) and the Caribbean countries (originally from UP and Bihar) respectively form separate Arya Samaj communities in many Canadian cities including Toronto.^[10] Most major metropolitan areas of United States have chapters of Arya Samaj.^[11]

The Radhaswamis

The Radhaswami sect has its headquarters at the town of Beas and is popular amongst Punjabi Hindus. Like the Radhaswamis too are a transitional sect between Hinduism and Sikhism.

The Dev Samajis

Dev Samajis, an offshoot of Brahmo Samaj, are rationalists. Their headquarters is at Moga. Their activities are mostly confined to the moral fields. As such Dev Samajists have not attained much popularity. In all other respects the Dev Samajists are not different from the other Hindus.

Ecumenical Hinduism

A large segment of Punjabis who are now categorised as Hindus or who identify themselves as Punjabi Hindus, continue to live out heterogeneous religious practice that includes spiritual kinship with Sikhism. This not only includes veneration of the Sikh Gurus in private practice, but also visit to Sikh Gurdwaras as well as Hindu temples. Some Punjabi Hindus visit Jain temples and Jain munis.

This is evident from the continuing propensity to conduct important life cycle ceremonies such as on marriage or death by any of the Hindu or Sikh rites. This is especially true for the Khatri and Arora communities, and even more so among the Kukhran tribe emanating from West Punjab, an area now in Pakistan.

This predilection for heterogeneous religious affiliation has continued, in spite of decades of aggressive identity purification efforts by the forces of identity politics in the Punjab.