Hinduism is a minority religion in the Meghalaya state of India constituting 12% of the state's population. The Nartiang Durga Temple in Meghalaya is one of the 51 Shakti peethas on Earth and is considered by Hindus of Meghalaya as the permanent abode of Goddess Durga. Hinduism is a popular religion practice by Rabhas, Hajongs, Kochs, Rajbongshis, Mikirs, Bengalis, Nepalis, Biharis etc.
Tradition
Festivals
Hinduism is practiced by different groups of Meghalaya. Hindus celebrate many festivals in Meghalya. Diwali, Behdienkhlam, Navaratri, etc. are celebrated by people. Navaratri and other Goddess Pujas are celebrated mainly by Bengali people. Diwali is celebrated by almost all Hindus. In Jowai, Behdienkhlam is a harvest festival celebrate by the Niamtre believers. This festival is popular among non-Christian Pnar people.
Many other Hindu festivals celebrate Hindus like Makar Sankranti, Diwali, Holi, Navaratri,etc.
Important Temples and Shrines
In Meghalaya, there is Shaktipeeth at Jaintia hills in Nartiang. Here, Shakti is worshipped as Jayanti and Bhairava is worshipped as Kamadishwar. There many native Brahmins who caretakes temple and organises ritual programs. According to people, this Shakti peetha is only one on Earth which is abode of Durga
Hajong Tradition
Hajong people practice Hinduism from long time. They worship specific Avatars(equivalent to Hindu deities). Ex.- Lakshmi-Lukkhi Dyao Vishnu-Bishnu Dyao Shiv-Shib Dyao Kartikeya-Katka Dyao Dyao is derived from Sanskrit word- (देव Deva,modern Indian languages- Dev/Deo).
Rabha people
Rabha people's religious world is pervaded with various spirits and natural objects. The main deity of the Rabhas is called Rishi. Rishi, for the forest Rabhas as well as village Rabhas, is a male deity. He is also known as Mahakal. Forest Rabhas worship him in all important social and religious ceremonies.
Demographics
Hinduism constituted 13.27 percent of Meghalaya's population in 2001 and it decreased to 11.53 percent in 2011. Hindus are mainly found in West Garo Hills district with 19%, East Khasi Hills District with 17.50% and the Ri-Bhoi District with 12%. Hinduism is followed by 42% of the population of Shillong.
Percentage in Groups
According to 2011 census there are 342,078 Hindus living in Meghalaya accounting constituting 11.53% of the state population after Christianity. Meghalaya Scheduled Tribe Population is 2,555,861 (86% of the state population), out of which 122,141 people among them follow Hinduism, while Non-ST population is 411,028, out of which 219,937 of them follow Hindu faith.
Hinduism is practiced by these following groups:-
Hajong people (38,054 – 98.65% Hindu), Koch people (22,494 – 99.02% Hindu) Rajbongshi people Rabha tribe (31,013 – 94.95% Hindu) Karbi People (Mikir people). (14,380 – 52% Christian and 30% Hindu), Nepali people (54,716 - 80%-90% Hindu 10%-20% Buddhist), Bengali people (232,525 - 55%-60% Hindu, 40%-45% Muslim). Punjabi people (4,540 - 65%-70% Sikh, 30%-35% Hindu) Marwari people (20,251 - 70%-80% Hindu, 20%-30% Jain) Bihari people (42,654 - 70%-80% Hindu, 20%-30% Muslim) Jaintia people (393,124 - 60% Christian, 40% following tribal religion "Ka Niamtre" with some elements of Hinduism in it). Khasi people (10,302, 0.73% of the ethnic's population follows Hindu religion) Garo people (4,776, 0.58% of the ethnic's population follows Hindu religion)
Persecution
Percentage of Hindus in Meghalaya by decades
Hindu percentage in Meghalaya have declined from 18.49% in 1971 to 11.53% in 2011 census (A decline of -6.96% in four decades).
The Non-ST Hindu minority are being targeted, attacked and murdered by Christian tribals since from the time of the creation of Meghalaya in 1972. The Hindu minority of the state do not enjoy equal rights and there is widespread hatred, discrimination and intolerance against them which were perpetrated by local Khasi Students Union. The Bengali Hindus in Meghalaya are often treated as Bangladeshis or outsiders (Dkhar). They have been running away, leaving the state in large numbers since from 1972.