Om
Hinduism is an ancient religion, and it contains lot of temples situated all over the world. Many great rishis and saints have been born as Hindus, and most of the ancient kings have contributed their wealth for the purpose of building temples, and they are considered as very pure and pious, and they had the divine vision of the deities also. Famous saints like AdiShankara, Ramanuja and Madhwacharya had contributed a lot to Hinduism through their holy works.
Famous Rishis like Narada, Veda Vyasa and his son Sukha, and the twelve alwars had initiated the “VISHNU BHAKTI” in the minds of the people. Similar to them, the great Nayanmar saints have preached the importance of “SHIVA BHAKTI” amongst the people, and lot of teachings are available from many saints and sages, and the Bhagavat Gita teachings of Lord Krishna acts as a divine guide for all the people in the world, irrespective of caste, creed and religion.
The 14th and 15th Century Varkari Saints and the great Madhwa saint Sri Vyasaraja had contributed a lot to Hinduism, and made it to reach at its highest peak. Apart from great saints and scholars, each and every ordinary Hindu people got great bhakti on the deities, and they considered the divine deities as their own relatives, and used to worship them regularly.
However after the invasion of the Muslim rulers in India, most of the Hindu people were forcibly converted into Muslims, and those who disobeyed, were murdered by them. Ancient chaste and pious ladies have sacrificed their lives in order to escape from the clutches of the Muslim kings and their soldiers. Then again during the British rule, the British people also forcibly converted lot of Hindus into Christians, and made them to compulsorily worship Lord Jesus Christ in the Churches. Due to these sufferings lot of Hindus were converted into Muslims and Christians, and some of them were also preached, and still preaching against Hinduism.
Though the situation is slightly improved at this present scenario, still most of the Hindus are disinterested in worshipping the deities in the Hindu temples. They are also raising lot of questions about our Puranas and other holy texts. In order to get proper clarification of their doubts, they must have to approach some learned scholars, temple priests and divine discoursers.
Only if the Hindus sincerely believe their gods and goddesses, Hinduism would flourish in the near future. The rise and the fall of Hinduism, is in the hands of Hindus only.