Some common practices are sacred elements in Hinduism. These are meant to pursue awareness of the Supreme Being through divinity, even in everyday life. Hindus can perform worship or veneration in either their home or temple. It is not mandatory to visit temples. Mantras are chanted invocations to God and the deities that are actually prayers or praises. In the epic Mahabharata, the ritualistic chanting called Japa is described as the greatest duty in the Kali Yuga or what Hindus believe to be the current age, thus many Hindus make Japa their primary spiritual practice. Yatra (pilgrimage) is not required in Hinduism. Still, many Hindus attend holy pilgrimages such as that of Kumbh Mela and Shakti Peethas.

Hindu religious traditions take on cultural significance and meaning. For starters, Hinduism has been a cultural unifier for a very long time. It serves to unify at least 1.3 billion adherents to it. Hindus are a massive population. It takes an influential religion to give a certain unifying cultural philosophy to keep the people together. It has managed to preserve ancient religious tradition through the ages, making its followers pure in its offered spirituality. Hinduism has been able to preserve its ancient practices, festivals, pilgrimages, and rituals. The religion, though tracing its roots to ancient times, is a showcase of cultural preservation in the face of rapid modernization and globalization. It is a triumph of cultural identity that has remained intact through the eons.

Hinduism is a positive concept and principle. It is highly tolerant of other religions. In a time when religious belief is a source and cause of wars and strife, Hinduism stands as a perfect example of what a religion should be as a peaceful component of society. Hinduism espouses respect, even worship, of practically everything in nature. Its reverential regards to trees, plants, animals, and nature make Hindu religious followers respectful of nature. In a time when environmental conservation is direly needed, Hinduism can be a cultural philosophy that can help address the environmental cause.

Hinduism is a dynamic philosophy that makes man change for the better all the time. There is no spiritual stagnation in Hinduism. The religion believes in the concept of reincarnation and perfection of the soul. These make the religion a process of self-betterment. It is one religion where the followers do not backtrack and stagnate in hatred and anger. Because there is no concept of getting something in return in Hinduism, the process of self-improvement is a freer one devoid of any attachment whatsoever. It takes a religion that needs the dynamic process of change towards ultimate goodness to actually put people on the road to progress and development.

These significant cultural implications of Hinduism have elevated the religion beyond the point of mere religious belief. In reality, Hinduism is both a social philosophy and a way of life. It is culture or the sum total of everything learned.

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Via Nirmukta