Hinduism is the dominant religion, or way of life, in South Asia , most notably in India and Nepal . Hinduism is the world's third largest religion , after Christianity and Islam . With approximately one billion followers . Hinduism has been called the " oldest religion " in the world, and some practitioners refer to it as Sanātana Dharma . Hindu practices include rituals such as puja (worship) and recitations, meditation, family-oriented rites of passage , annual festivals, and occasional pilgrimages. Some Hindus leave their social world and material possessions, then engage in lifelong Sannyasa (ascetic practices) to achieve moksha. Hindu texts are classified into Shruti ("heard") and Smriti ("remembered"). These texts discuss theology , philosophy , mythology , Vedic yajna and agamic rituals and temple building , among other topics. Major scriptures include the Vedas , Upanishads (both Śruti ), Mahabharata , Ramayana , Bhagavad Gita , Puranas , Manusmṛti , and Agamas (all smriti ). There is no single founder of Hinduism as Hinduism was not founded as a religion. It was a culture basically flourished in India, which later took the form of a great religion.