Hinduism in Nagaland

Dimapur Kalibari Temple in Dimapur district

Hinduism is a minority faith in Indian state of Nagaland followed by 8.75% of the population. There are 104,851 Hindus in Nagaland.[1] However most of these hindus are non-nagas and are from outside the state [2]

History

According to local legend, Dimapur, the largest city in Nagaland, is said to have been named after the Mahabharatha character Hidimba. It was earlier known as Hidimbapur, meaning the city of Hidimba. Hidimbapur came to be known as Dimbapur and then Dimapur.[3] Another legend says that the Dimapur is a corruption of Hidimbapur, meaning the city of Hidimbi, the sister of Hidimba who later married the Pandava prince Bhima and gave birth to Ghatotkacha.[4]

Demographics

Hindus are concentrated mainly in Dimapur District (28.75%), Kohima District (11.8%)[5] and Niuland District (9.4%)[6][a]

See also

• Hinduism in Manipur
• Hinduism in Myanmar

Notes

1. The district was formed by upgrading the Niuland subdivision of Dimapur District.[7]

References

1. "C-01: Population by religious community, Nagaland - 2011". Retrieved 9 October 2022.
2. "Nagaland CM Zeliang denies helping RSS push Hinduism in northeastern state". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 2024-03-12.
3. "DID YOU KNOW How Dimapur got its name?". Retrieved 18 October 2022.
4. Bathari, Uttam (2014). Memory History and polity a study of dimasa identity in colonial past and post colonial present (Ph.D.). Gauhati University. pp. 17–18. hdl:10603/115353.
5. "C-01: Population by religious community, Nagaland - 2011". Retrieved 9 October 2022.
6. "Niuland Circle Population, Caste, Religion Data - Dimapur district, Nagaland". www.censusindia.in. Retrieved 9 October 2022.^[permanent dead link‍]
7. "Nagaland creates 3 more districts". The Assam Tribune. December 18, 2021. Retrieved 9 October 2022.