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Hinduism is the world's third largest religion, with its followers making up 80% of the population in Nepal and India, and has other adherents spread throughout the globe. The central texts of Hinduism, the Vedas, are thought to have been written somewhere between 2500 BCE and 500 BCE. As time has passed, however, other important Hindu texts such as the Ramayana and Bhagavad Gita have also emerged. There are several schools of thought within Hinduism that vary widely in practice and philosophy: while some Hindus worship multiple deities, for example, others revere a singular god, such as Vishnu, as the manifestation of God, or Brahman. The position of women in society also varies within Hinduism. Some references to women in the Ramayana, for example, are favorable towards women. Other passages, such as those found in the Manu Smriti, place restrictions on women's rights. More than 2,000 widows reside at the Bhagwan Bhajan ashram, or Hindu hermitage, in Vrindavan, India. Despite Indian legislation providing increased rights to Hindu widows, a prevalent social stigma persists there against their remarriage. The women pictured here are praying to Lord Krishna, a Hindu God who is thought to watch over the well-being of widows.
Credit: AP/John Moore
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