The information about the religious beliefs mostly comes from the seals, seal impressions, terracotta and metal figurines, cemeteries, etc. On the basis of the knowledge obtained from the seals, figurines it has been inferred that the Harappan people had many features of later Hinduism. Religious Practices of Harappan Civilization is discussed below
Religious Practices of Harappan Civilization
Their belief in Mother Goddess: They worshiped the Mother Goddess who bears some resemblance to the one that was worshiped in the Middle East and Europe. The Harappans looked upon the earth as the Goddess of Fertility. A plant is shown growing out of the body of a woman resembling the Goddess of earth.
Worship of Nature: The Harappans worship the elements of nature. They worship trees, fire, and water. Besides, animal worship was also a part of religious beliefs. It is indicated by the representation of animals on the seals and in terracotta and stone figurines.
Religious Practices of Harappan Civilization in Points
- Seals form an important source of information about the religious life of the Harappans. Apart from the discovery of the fire altar at Kalibangan, no cult objects, temples or places of worship have been found.
- From the seals which have been discovered, it has been concluded that religion during the Harappan times bore traces of later Hinduism as images of pashupati, goddesses and sacred trees and animals have been discovered.
- In one of the figures, a plant is shown as growing out of a woman’s body. Historians believe it to be Mother Earth, who was also worshipped in the Middle East and Europe.
- Many seals bearing the images of animals have been discovered. Animals which were considered sacred were bull, humped bull, elephant and tiger.
- Discovery of amulets in large numbers show that the Harappans believed in the existence of evil forces.
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