INFORMACIÓN

Originado hace más de 3.000 años, el sistema de castas divide a los hindúes en cinco categorías principales y todavía está activo en la India actual. Profundamente arraigada en las creencias hinduistas sobre el karma y la reencarnación, esta organización social puede dictar dónde vive la gente, con quién se asocia e incluso qué agua puede beber.
Muchos creen que el sistema de castas se originó en Brahma, el dios hindú de la creación.

Las castas se basan en el cuerpo de Brahma:

• Brahmanes: los ojos y la mente de Brahma. Los brahmanes son frecuentemente sacerdotes o maestros.
• Kshatriyas: los brazos de Brahma. Los kshatriyas, la casta de los “guerreros”, suelen trabajar en el ejército o en el gobierno.
• Vaishyas: las piernas de Brahma. Los vaishyas generalmente ocupan puestos como agricultores, comerciantes o comerciantes.
• Shudras: los pies de Brahma. Los Shudras suelen trabajar en trabajos manuales.
• Dalits: los “intocables”. Los dalits son considerados impuros desde su nacimiento e indignos incluso de estar cerca de las castas superiores.

Si bien el sistema de castas es menos frecuente en las grandes ciudades, todavía existe. En la India rural, las castas están muy vivas y determinan qué trabajo puede tener una persona, con quién puede hablar y qué derechos humanos puede tener.

The presence of Christianity in India dates back to ancient times, tracing its roots to the apostle  Thomas, who is believed to have arrived on the Malabar Coast in the first century AD. Over the  centuries, the Christian church in India has experienced a complex and diverse history, contributing to  the religious tapestry of the country.

After the arrival of Thomas, Christianity gradually spread along the west coast of India. The appearance  of European colonizers in the 15th century, including the Portuguese, Dutch, and British, further  influenced the growth of Christianity. Missionaries played a crucial role in establishing churches,  schools, and hospitals, impacting India’s social and educational landscape.

The church in India today represents roughly 2.3% of the population. It encompasses various  denominations, including Roman Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, and independent churches. Kerala,  Tamil Nadu, Goa, and the northeastern states have a significant Christian presence.

As is the case in many parts of the world, some may choose to follow Jesus but continue to identify  culturally as  Hindu.

Significant challenges to the growth of the church include occasional religious intolerance and  conversions being criticized as a threat to indigenous culture. The caste system has been difficult  to eradicate, and the current government has largely ignored a climate of prejudice and outright  oppression in parts of the country.

Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is one of the most celebrated festivals in Hindu culture. It  symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. This joyous occasion brings  together families, communities, and regions to honor ancient traditions, spread happiness, and  create a vibrant atmosphere of spiritual renewal.

For Hindus, Diwali carries profound spiritual and cultural significance. It represents the victory  of Lord Rama, the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu, over the demon king Ravana and the return of  Lord Rama to Ayodhya after a 14-year exile. The lighting of oil lamps called diyas and bursting  fireworks are symbolic gestures that ward off evil and invite prosperity, happiness, and good  fortune. Diwali also holds significance in other religious contexts, such as celebrating the  goddess Lakshmi, the Hindu deity of wealth and prosperity.

Diwali is a time of spiritual reflection, renewal, and joy for Hindu communities. It encapsulates  the values of triumph over darkness, good over evil, and the importance of familial and  community bonds. This celebration of light and happiness brings people closer, inspiring them  to spread love, peace, and prosperity throughout the year.