Top 10 Hindu Organisations In India You Need To Know About

• RSS is the most popular hindu organisation in India which was established in 1925 by K. B. Hedgewar
• VHP, Bajrang Dal and Hindu Mahasabha are another hindu organisations particularly active in North and Central India

India, this is the world’s 2nd largest country in population. Hinduism is the dominant religion here which is followed by more than 80% population. It is a known fact that in India’s Independence this religion itself played an important role. During British rule several Hindu nationalist organisations formed to protect their interests. Some organisations continues to exist even today. So here we’ll take a look at the top 10 Hindu organisations in India.

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RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh)

The most popular hindu organisation in India is the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Way back in 1925 K. B. Hedgewar founded it. It has more than 6 million members from different states of India. The main aim of RSS is to unite Hindus and form a Hindu Rashtra (Hindu Nation). RSS operates close to 60,000 branches across India. India’s largest party BJP is considered as the political wing of RSS. Vidya Bharati is the educational wing of RSS that owns 12,000 schools across India with more than 3.2 million students.

RSS Was Banned Four Times!

During British Rule this organisation became so powerful that it got banned due to anti-British activities. Then again in post-independence India it got banned thrice. First ban came in 1948 when a former RSS member Nathuram Godse assassinated Mahatma Gandhi. Second ban came in 1975 when then prime minister Indira Gandhi declared emergency. In 1992, the third ban came on RSS due to Babri Masjid demolition.

VHP (Vishva Hindu Parishad)

After RSS, another popular Hindu organisation in India is the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP). In 1964, VHP was founded by M. S. Golwalkar, S. S. Apte with Swami Chinmayananda ji. The main aim of VHP was to protect the Hindu Dharma from religious conversion and to stop the cow slaughter and renovate Hindu temples. In Babri Masjid demolition VHP was directly involved which created a law and order situation across India.

VHP Role In Babri Masjid Demolition

In 1992, when the demolition of Babri Masjid took place VHP was directly involved in it. On 6 December 1992, VHP mobilized more than 2 lakh volunteers to demolish the disputed mosque built on the birthplace of the Lord Rama. It is considered as the ally of RSS and BJP. VHP has more than 7 million members across India.

Hindu Mahasabha

In 1915, Madan Mohan Malaviya founded the Hindu Mahasabha. He was the founder of BHU (Banaras Hindu University) which is the largest residential university in Asia with more than 40,000 students. When Nathuram Godse assassinated Mahatma Gandhi he was a Hindu Mahasabha activist. This party has its origin in the Indian National Congress party.

ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness)

In 1966, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada founded ISKCON dedicated to the Lord Krishna. The ideology of ISKCON is based on the Bhagavad Gita and Bhagavata Purana which are the holy texts of Hinduism. This Hindu organisation was founded in New York city and is spread across Russia and Europe. The headquarters of ISKCON are in West Bengal. It owns 500+ temples and centres around the world.

Ramakrishna Mission

Named after Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, this organisation was founded by his disciple Swami Vivekananda in 1897. It propagates the philosophy of Vedanta and yogic ideals. The Ramakrishna Mission operates 265 centres all over the world in which 198 of them are in India and 14 in United States. This organisation was formed in present day Kolkata.

Bajrang Dal

The youth wing of VHP is the Bajrang Dal. This organisation is particularly active in North and Central parts of India. It was founded on 1 October 1984. The ideology of this organisation is Hindutva, similar to the VHP. The “Bajrang” Name is dedicated to the Lord Hanuman.

It runs more than 2,500 akhadas in India and its main goals are to build the Ram Mandir temple and Krishna Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya and Mathura respectively. In Babri Masjid demolition Bajrang Dal members too participated actively.

Arya Samaj

To promote the authority of Vedas Dayanand Saraswati founded the Arya Samaj in 1875. This organisation promoted proselytization in Hinduism which means that anyone can convert and accept the Hinduism and learn the teachings of Vedas. It was established in Bombay. Dayanand Saraswati wrote his teachings in Satyarth Prakash.

The Gayatri Mantra is considered as the most holy mantra in Arya Samaj. This organisation celebrates Diwali in a grand way because on this day Swami Dayanand died. It is interesting to note that worship of idols is prohibited in Arya Samaj and it also rejects the idea of Puranas, Bible and Quran.

Karni Sena

Among all the Hindu organisations in India the Karni Sena is the only organisation based in Rajasthan. It was founded in 2016 in Jaipur. The name “Karni” is derived from the Karni Mata. The main aim of Karni Sena is to get the reservation for Rajputs in government jobs and protect their legacy in textbooks. To protect the history of Rajputs and foil the attempt to distort their legacy Karni Sena opposed the release of movie Jodha Akbar and Padmavat.

Akhil Bhartiya Akhara Parishad

This is the organisation of Hindu Saints and Sadhus. At present Akhil Bhartiya Akhara Parishad operates 13 akharas in India. It is based in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. Devotees of Vishnu are known as Vaishnavas while Shaivas are the evotees of Shiva. This organisation has its origin with Adi Shankaracharya way back in 8th century. Out of 13 akharas 3 of them are founded by Adi Shankaracharya himself.

Brahmo Samaj

The Brahmo Samaj was Founded by Raj Ram Mohan Roya and Dwarkanath Tagore in 1828 in Kolkata. This Hindu organisation has made a significant contribution in the making of modern India. For this the Brahmo Samaj opposed the Sati Pratha (Burning Of Widow), Casteism, untouchability and advocated widow remarriage. The idea of abolishing untouchability didn’t got much pace and was limited to Bengal mostly.

So These Were The Top 10 Hindu Organisations In India.