India is a melting pot of various religions, with each community having its own unique beliefs, practices, and traditions. Despite sharing certain values and beliefs, India's major religious communities tend to see themselves as very different from one another ¹. Here's a breakdown of the main differences:

Hinduism: The dominant religion in India, with around 966 million adherents, composing 79.8% of the population². Hinduism is diverse, with various beliefs such as monotheism, polytheism, and pantheism.
Islam: The second-largest religious group, with around 172 million adherents, composing 14.2% of the population ². Muslims in India have a distinct culture and traditions, with a significant presence in states like Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab.
Christianity: With around 27 million adherents, composing 2.3% of the population, Christianity has a significant presence in southern states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh ².
Sikhism: A monotheistic religion with around 20 million adherents, composing 1.7% of the population, primarily found in the state of Punjab².
Buddhism: With around 8 million adherents, composing 0.7% of the population, Buddhism has a significant presence in eastern states like West Bengal and Sikkim.
Jainism: A minority religion with around 4 million adherents, composing 0.4% of the population, primarily found in western states like Gujarat and Maharashtra².

These differences are reflected in various aspects of life, including traditions, habits, and cultural practices. Despite these differences, India's Constitution ensures freedom of religion and promotes secularism ².