Religious Life in India: Places of Worship and Communities

Published on October 3, 2025 and written by Cyril Jarnias

India, a country marked by lush spiritual diversity, reveals to the world a religious landscape where majestic temples, ancient mosques, colonial churches, and lesser-known but equally vibrant places of worship coexist harmoniously.

The weight of history and the richness of traditions manifest through a multitude of ceremonies and festivities, reflecting a cultural patchwork where each religious community, whether Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh, or Buddhist, weaves the threads of a collective heritage.

These sacred spaces, far from being mere structures, embody the living essence of deeply rooted beliefs and offer a window into ancient rituals, vectors of unity and continuity for millions of Indians.

Major Places of Worship in India

India, marked by exceptional religious diversity, is home to numerous iconic places of worship from different traditions. Each of these sites plays a fundamental role in the spiritual, cultural, and social life of its followers, while reflecting a distinct history and architecture.

Religious Tradition	Place of Worship	City/State	Historical and Cultural Significance	Architectural Features	Role in Daily Life
Sikhism	Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib)	Amritsar, Punjab	Considered the most sacred shrine of Sikhism; symbol of openness and equality; built in the late 16th century; site of many major historical events	Surrounded by the sacred Amrit Sarovar pool; four entrances symbolizing universal welcome; covered with 750 kg of gold; blend of Mughal and Rajput architectural influences; interiors decorated with frescoes and marble inlays	Spiritual and community center; hosts the Langar (free community kitchen); major pilgrimage site
Hinduism	Meenakshi Temple	Madurai, Tamil Nadu	Dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi (Parvati); millennial pilgrimage site; cultural center of South India	Richly sculpted and colorful gopuram towers; vast complex with shrines and pools; Dravidian architecture	Hosts major festivals; center of local religious and social life
Hinduism	Tirupati Temple (Venkateswara)	Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh	One of the most visited temples in the world; dedicated to Vishnu (as Venkateswara); symbol of devotion and prosperity	Dravidian architecture; gold ornaments; main sanctuary on a sacred hill	Ritual of hair donation; massive influx of pilgrims daily
Islam	Jama Masjid	Delhi	One of the largest mosques in India; built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century; religious and cultural center of Delhi’s Muslim community	Three large white marble domes; imposing minarets; vast courtyard accommodating thousands of worshippers	Central location for Friday prayers; gatherings during major festivals like Eid
Christianity	St. Thomas Cathedral	Chennai, Tamil Nadu	Built on the tomb of Apostle Thomas; symbol of ancient Christian presence in India; major pilgrimage site	Neo-Gothic architecture; stained glass windows; crypt containing the relic of St. Thomas	Place of worship and gathering for Christians in South India
Buddhism	Dhamekh Stupa	Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh	Site where Buddha delivered his first sermon; major archaeological site and global pilgrimage center	Massive cylindrical stone and brick structure; floral decorations and inscriptions	Pilgrimage, meditation, Buddhist celebrations

Key Points on Religious Diversity and the Importance of These Sites:

• The presence of these places of worship reflects the coexistence of multiple religions in India, each having a profound impact on local culture, architecture, and society.
• These sites are not only spaces for prayer but also centers for mutual aid, teaching, gathering, and social action.
• The architecture of these places often illustrates a dialogue between local styles and external influences (Mughal, Dravidian, Gothic, etc.), testifying to a shared history and cultural exchanges.
• The massive attendance at these sites during religious festivals or pilgrimages strengthens community cohesion and spiritual identity.

India’s religious diversity shapes the importance and vitality of these major places of worship, which remain key landmarks in the daily and cultural life of the population.

Religious Communities and Cultural Diversity

Main Religions Practiced in India and Their Distribution

Religion	% of Population	Main Geographic Distribution
Hinduism	~80%	Throughout India
Islam	~13-14%	North, Northwest, Kerala
Christianity	~2-3%	South India, Kerala
Sikhism	~2%	Punjab
Buddhism	~0.6-1%	Maharashtra, Ladakh
Jainism	~0.4%	Gujarat, Rajasthan

India is the birthplace of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. Islam and Christianity have been present for over a millennium.

Examples of Iconic Places of Worship

• Hinduism: Kashi Vishwanath Temple (Varanasi), Meenakshi Temple (Madurai)
• Islam: Jama Masjid Mosque (Delhi), Charminar Mosque (Hyderabad)
• Christianity: St. Thomas Basilica (Chennai), St. Francis Church (Kochi)
• Sikhism: Golden Temple Harmandir Sahib (Amritsar)
• Buddhism: Mahabodhi Temple (Bodh Gaya)
• Jainism: Dilwara Temples (Mount Abu)

Influence on Indian Culture

Religious diversity shapes Indian culture through:

• A rich festive calendar where each religion celebrates its major holidays:
  • Hindus: Diwali (festival of lights)
  • Muslims: Eid-ul-Fitr (end of Ramadan)
  • Christians: Christmas
  • Sikhs: Vaisakhi
  • Buddhists: Vesak (Buddha’s birthday)
  • Jains: Paryushana
• Varied culinary traditions influenced by religious dietary restrictions.
• Characteristic architecture of different spiritual currents.

Challenges Related to Religious Diversity

List of main challenges:

• Occasional inter-community tensions
• Social or political discrimination in some regions
• Risks of political instrumentalization

Opportunities Offered by This Diversity and Interreligious Initiatives

List of opportunities and positive actions:

• Exceptional cultural richness promoting international tourism.
• Growing interreligious dialogue in major cities.
• Local initiatives such as shared festivals or educational projects to promote tolerance.
• Non-governmental organizations working for social harmony.

The centuries-old coexistence between these communities encourages collective resilience in the face of contemporary challenges. Many citizen movements today work for increased mutual respect among believers.

Integration of Expatriates into Indian Religious Life

Expatriate Participation in Religious Practices in India:

• Expatriates often participate in Indian religious life in various ways:

• Some take part in major festivals (Diwali, Holi, Eid, Christmas, etc.), either as observers or by being invited by colleagues or neighbors.
• Others attend domestic or community rituals, particularly in Hinduism (puja), Sikhism (community service in gurdwaras), or participate in Buddhist meditations.
• Expatriates practicing minority religions (Christianity, Judaism, Islam, etc.) generally find suitable places of worship in major cities, where churches, mosques, synagogues, or dedicated temples exist.

The search for suitable places of worship heavily depends on the city:

• In metropolises (Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata), the presence of international communities facilitates access to a diversity of places of worship.
• In secondary cities or rural areas, it is more difficult for expatriates to find religious structures corresponding to their faith.

Efforts by Local Communities for Welcome and Integration:

• Religious communities frequently organize:

• Community meals open to all (langar in Sikh gurdwaras, shared iftar during Ramadan, Christian parish meals).
• Guided tours of places of worship, with cultural and historical explanations adapted for the uninitiated.
• Discussion or interreligious study groups, often conducted in English in major cities.

Some associations, sometimes stemming from the expatriate community itself, facilitate integration by offering:

• Multi-faith prayer or meditation groups.
• Support services to help understand local rites or organize ceremonies adapted to one’s original tradition.

Examples of Programs or Interreligious Activities Facilitating Integration:

Program/Activity	Description
Sikh Langar	Free community meal, open to all without distinction of religion or origin
University Interreligious Dialogues	Meetings organized by universities or NGOs, promoting cultural and religious exchange
Shared Festivals	Inviting expatriates to celebrate Diwali, Christmas, Eid, or Vesak with local families
Religious Discovery Workshops	Visits to temples, mosques, churches with explanations in English or a third language

Cultural and Linguistic Challenges Faced by Expatriates:

Language:

• Many rituals or sermons are in Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, or other regional languages, limiting direct understanding.
• In major cities, services in English are sometimes offered, particularly in Christian churches and some Buddhist temples.

Culture:

• Dress codes, rules of purity, or access to certain places (e.g., prohibition of entering the main sanctuary for non-Hindus in some temples) can surprise or unintentionally exclude.
• The diversity of practices within the same religion can make adaptation complex (e.g., differences between Syro-Malabar and Latin rites in Indian Christianity).

Social Perception:

Sometimes, a certain reserve may exist from local communities, fearing unintentional disrespect of rites or proselytism.

Impact on Intercultural and Interreligious Links:

The integration of expatriates into Indian religious life often contributes to strengthening intercultural exchanges and tolerance:

• Cross-participation in festivals and rites promotes mutual understanding.
• Interreligious programs offer a space for dialogue, reducing prejudices and fostering inclusion.
• In some cases, expatriates become relays to valorize Indian diversity internationally.

The experience of Indian religious plurality can also encourage expatriates to adopt a more open and respectful stance towards cultural and spiritual differences.

Important Text:
India, through its tradition of religious pluralism and constitutional secularism, offers favorable ground for the integration of expatriates into religious life, despite challenges of a linguistic, cultural, and sometimes administrative nature. The efforts of local communities and the richness of interreligious exchanges contribute to making this experience a vector for rapprochement and intercultural dialogue.

Challenges and Opportunities for Religious Expatriates

Main Difficulties Encountered by Religious Expatriates in India:

• Cultural and Social Differences
  Integration requires adaptation to local customs, often very different from those of origin. For example, respect for elders is fundamental, and it is customary to remove shoes in a house or place of worship. Indian religious traditions can be complex for a newcomer to grasp.
• Linguistic Barriers
  With over 1,600 languages spoken in India, communication can represent a major obstacle for expatriates during religious ceremonies or within spiritual communities.
• Legal Restrictions on Certain Religious Practices
  Religious freedom is guaranteed by the Constitution (Article 25), but it remains limited by public order, morality, and health. Some ritual practices may be prohibited or restricted locally; for example, Angapradakshinam (a Hindu ritual) has been banned in some states despite defense in the name of individual freedom.
• Sometimes Conservative Sociocultural Context
  Indian social norms are marked by the weight of the extended family and a certain community pressure that sometimes leads to concealing personal convictions or belonging to a religious or sexual minority.

Concrete Examples and Testimonials:

• A French woman based in Mumbai explains having to present her partner as “a close friend” at family events.
• An American man living in Bangalore prefers to keep his private life quiet at work to avoid professional isolation.
• Christian expatriates report difficulties related to Christian holidays being little celebrated locally outside major international cities.

Opportunities Offered to Religious Expatriates in India:

• Exceptional access to a diversity of places of worship:
  • Hindu temples
  • Mosques
  • Catholic and Protestant churches
  • Historic Jewish synagogues
  • International Buddhist centers
• Possibility to live in international interreligious communities:
  • Cosmopolitan cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, or Bangalore host several foreign spiritual groups organizing multilingual services.
• Unique spiritual experiences:
  • Participation in major traditional festivals (Diwali, Holi…)
  • Yoga/ashram retreats open to non-Indians
  • Interfaith meetings favored by Indian pluralism

Facilitation of Social Integration Through Religion:

Engagement in community activities (local festivals, associative charitable works) often allows:

• Quick learning of local social codes
• Building strong intercultural links
• Reducing the feeling of isolation frequently felt during the first months

Main Religion	Estimated Presence Among Expatriates	Geographic Distribution
Christianity	High	Major cities
Islam	Medium	North & metropolises
Buddhism	Low/medium	North/Northeast
Judaism	Very low	Mumbai/Kolkata
Hinduism	Marginal presence among expats	Throughout

Initiatives Organized to Support Religious Expatriates:

• Bilingual groups offering translations during major services.
• International associations facilitating access to local holy sites.
• Monthly intercultural workshops on interreligious dialogue in several important urban centers.
• Psychological support offered through associative networks to better cope with cultural shock related to religious/societal change.

India’s spiritual richness thus constitutes both a challenge and an unprecedented source of universal experiences for any believer coming to settle there.