<P> Religion in India is characterised by a diversity of religious beliefs and practices . India is a secular state by the 42nd amendment to the Constitution in 1976, meaning that all religions are treated equally by the state . The Indian subcontinent is the birthplace of four of the world's major religions; namely Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism . Throughout India's history, religion has been an important part of the country's culture . Religious diversity and religious tolerance are both established in the country by the law and custom; the Constitution of India has declared the right to freedom of religion to be a fundamental right . </P> <P> Northwest India was home to one of the world's oldest civilizations, the Indus valley civilisation . Today, India is home to around 90% of the global population of Hindus . Most Hindu shrines and temples are located in India, as are the birthplaces of most Hindu saints . Allahabad hosts the world's largest religious pilgrimage, Kumbha Mela, where Hindus from across the world come together to bathe in the confluence of three sacred rivers of India: the Ganga, the Yamuna, and the Saraswati . The Indian diaspora in the West has popularised many aspects of Hindu philosophy such as yoga, meditation, Ayurvedic medicine, divination, karma, and reincarnation . The influence of Indian religions has been significant all over the world . Several Hindu - based organisations, such as the Hare Krishna movement, the Brahma Kumaris, the Ananda Marga, and others have spread Indian spiritual beliefs and practices . </P> <P> According to the 2011 census, 79.8% of the population of India practices Hinduism and 14.2% adheres to Islam, while the remaining 6% adheres to other religions (Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism and various indigenous ethnically - bound faiths). Christianity is the 3rd largest religion in India . Zoroastrianism and Judaism also have an ancient history in India, and each has several thousands of Indian adherents . India has the largest population of people adhering to Zoroastrianism (i.e. Parsis and Iranis) and Bahá'í Faith in the world, even though these religions are not native to India . Many other world religions also have a relationship with Indian spirituality, such as the Baha'i faith which recognises the Buddha and Krishna as manifestations of the God Almighty . </P> <P> India has the third largest Shia population in the world and being the cradle of Ahmadiyya Islam, it is one of the countries in the world with at least 2 million Ahmadi Muslims . The shrines of some of the most famous saints of Sufism, like Moinuddin Chishti and Nizamuddin Auliya, are found in India, and attract visitors from all over the world . India is also home to some of the most famous monuments of Islamic architecture, such as the Taj Mahal and the Qutb Minar . Civil matters related to the community are dealt with by the Muslim Personal Law, and constitutional amendments in 1985 established its primacy in family matters . </P>

Which religion has the highest population in the india