The Religions of India

Much more explicitly than in western countries such as Great Britain, religion is an integral part of life in India. For many Indians, religion permeates everything from common-place daily chores to education and politics.

Secular India is home to:


and other innumerable religious traditions. Hinduism is the dominant faith, practised by over 80% of the population. Besides Hindus, Muslims (which is the faith of Saleem Sinai's family) are the most prominent religious group. In fact India has the second largest population of Muslims in the world after Indonesia. Common practices have crept into most religious faiths in India and many of the festivals that mark each year with music, dance and feasting are shared by all communities. Each has its own pilgrimage sites, heroes, legends and even culinary specialties, mingling in a diversity that is the very pulse of Indian society.

Deities, Heroes and Demons

Some of the gods, heroes and demons that are relevant to Midnight's Children include:

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