Demographics of Punjab, India

Demographics Of Punjab, India

Sikhism is the most practiced faith in Punjab, and roughly 60% of the population belongs to the Sikh faith. 37% of the population practices Hinduism. Other faiths include Islam, Buddhism, Christianity and Jainism.

The holiest of Sikh Shrines, the Shri Harmandir Sahib Ji (or Golden Temple), is in The Holy city of Amritsar. The Sri Akal Takht Sahib Ji which resides within the Golden temple complex is the temporal seat of Sikhs. Of the five Takhts of Sikhism, three are in Punjab. Anandpur Sahib is where Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji created the Khalsa on Vaisakhi. During major holidays on the Sikh calendar (such as Vaisakhi, Hola Mohalla, Gurpurb or Diwali), many Sikhs gather and march through virtually every city, town and village in Punjab. Sikhism is so common in fact, that at least one Sikh Gurdwara can be found in every village, town and city (in various styles and sizes).

The Punjabi language, written in the Gurmukhi script is the official language of the state. Muslims form slight majority in the Malerkotla town. The Muslim population in Punjab has increased to 1.57% due to labourer workers from other Indian states, mainly Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.