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Hinduism in Armenia
Hinduism in Armenia has a long tradition dating back to the first millenium C.E. The prevalence of the religion declined quite a bit after the 4th century CE when Christians invaded Armenia and slaughtered all of the Hindus and pagans remaining in the area.

Hinduism in armenia Indian Settlement in Armenia and Armenian Settlements in India Santosh: An Armenian Woman from the Seventeenth Century Persecution of Hare Krishna in Armenia conclusion Armenians - The Merchant Princes of India

<!-- Hinduism in Ancient Armenia Intolerance of Early Christianity with Paganism

Hinduism, although not a proselytizing religion, had also reached Western Asia. A Hindu settlement was established in Armenia in the Canton of Taron in the 2nd century C. E. under the patronage of King Valarasaces of the Arsacidae dynasty. These Hindu built fine cities and temples, but the temples were destroyed early in the fourth century by St. Gregory the Illuminator.

Zenob (Zenobius) Glak, who was a Syrian and one of the first disciples of St.Gregory the Illuminator-the Apostle of Armenia-wrote, at the instance of his master, a History of Taron and in that work he refers to the history of a Hindoo colony that had existed in Armenia since the middle of the second century before the commencement of the Christian era and going back to the prior beginning of the Hindoo colony on Armenian soil in the days of remote antiquity.

Zenob states that two Hindu princes, conspired against Dinakspal (Dinaksi), the King of Kanauj. On the discovery of the plot they had to flee with their families and followers, and found refuge in Armenia in 149 B.C. The Hindu princes were granted a royal welcome by Armenian King Valarsaces who offered them some land in the province of Taron where they built a city and named it Veeshap (Armenian name for dragon. The city was named so, because those princes belonged to the Takshak house, Takshaka means Naga King) or Odz (snake) and put an idol like a snake there. Some time later the princes moved to Ashtishat (religious centre of ancient Armenia famous for its temples of national deities) and erected temples to their gods and goddesses which they used to worship in India, and these temples were served by the Hindu priests.

Lord Krishna with the flute.

According to Zenob, the statues of these gods were entirely made of brass. Priests who were appointed for the service of these gods, were all Hindus.



Later on these three brothers succeeded to find a better place in the area of mountain Karki where they built two temples in memory of Gissaneh and Demeter, whom they used to deify and worship. According to Zenob, the statues of these gods were entirely made of brass. Priests who were appointed for the service of these gods, were all Hindus. In a short period of time the Indians built twenty towns, and in each of them they erected their temples. Some of these towns, mentioned by Zenob, retained their names and stood till the middle of the 19th century. Until the early 20th century one of the villages in Taron was called Hindkastan. The names Hindubek, Hindu, Hindukhanum, Hindumelik were often used by the Armenians of Taron. The fact of the existence of the Hindu colony in Armenia is proved by a very interesting ethnographic information. It states that the Armenians of those districts, where the Indians were settled, used to dance the dance of Demeter and sing Indian melodies. Some prominent scholars prove that the cult of Vahagen (Armenian god of fire, as well as conqueror of dragons) came to Armenians from the Indians (Indian god Agni).

St. Gregory, the Illuminator

Christianity was brought to Armenia, the religion which was imposed by fire and sword. The followers of Christianity and St. Gregory the Illuminator demolished heathen temples and erected churches on their site. The same fate was waiting for the Hindu temples.



Under the auspices of the Armenian government the Hindu colony flourished for a considerable time in Armenia. It was a fairly large one comprising over 15,000 members. However, things changed when Christianity was brought to Armenia, the religion which was imposed by fire and sword. The followers of Christianity demolished heathen temples and erected churches on their site. The same fate was waiting for the Hindu temples. On the site of the two Hindu temples in the town of Veeshap or Odz, St. Gregory the Illuminator built a monastery in A.D. 301 where he deposited the relics of St. John the Baptist and Athanagineh the Martyr which he had brought with him from Caesaria. This edifice exists till now and is known as St. Karapet of Moosh (a city at present located on the territory of Turkey, near the Lake Van) and has always been a great place of pilgrimage for Armenians from all parts of the world. It is noteworthy to mention that almost till the end of the 19th century, not far from this monastery there was a settlement, which used to be called Odz.

There was no better end for ancient Armenian traditional symbols as well. The ancient Armenian books were burnt or thrown into the river. As Armenian historian of the 5th century Agathangueghos mentioned, the number of books thrown into the river  were plentiful, so much so that the river changed its direction. Many Armenians and Hindus headed by their priests, resisted gallantly against the rush of Christianity but were defeated due to superior numbers of the Christians. The Hindu priests, seeing the destruction of their gods and goddesses, pleaded with the Christians to kill them rather than destroy their sanctum. Many of these Hindu priests were killed on the spot during the course of action.

In A.D. 301 there was a bloody battle between heathen Armenians- Hindus, and Christians. According to Zenob, the Hindu army itself numbered 10,000 warriors. Most probably this figure has been deliberately exaggerated by the historian as he was in service of Christian church and, by showing the big number of the heathens, he might probably wanted to overemphasize the victory of Gregory the Illuminator and Armenian King Tiridates. It is also probable that besides the Hindus Zenob would have mentioned also the number of heathen Armenians. But in any case the Hindus were in large numbers as they had their own separate army.

According to Zenob, who was the eyewitness of the events, the Hindus that were baptized on the first day of Navasard (New Year of ancient Armenia which was celebrated in the middle of August) numbered five thousand fifty, and they were men and children only, while the women were baptized on another day. Some of these converted Hindus taunted the Armenian princes telling them that if they lived they would retaliate for the harsh treatment they had received at their hands, but if they died, the gods would wreak their vengeance on the Armenians on their behalf. For this, by the order of the Armenian prince these Hindus were imprisoned, and they numbered four hundred. Then Zenob continues: “Gissaneh had long flowing hair and for that reason its priests allowed the hair of their head to grow, which the King ordered to be cut. This people were not, however, perfect in their faith after their conversion into the Christian faith and as they could not profess the religion of their pagan ancestors openly, they therefore practiced the deception of allowing their children to grow a plait of hair on the crown of their heads, so that they may, be seeing that, remember their idolatrous abominations.”

With this, the history of the Hindu colony, which had existed on the territory of Armenia for more than 450 years, came to an end.

(source: India and World Civilization By D. P. Singhal Pan Macmillan Limited. 1993 part I p. 92 and Hindus in Armenia: The Unknown Chapter in the History of Ancient India and Armenia - By Dr. Mesrob Jacob Seth

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!--> Hinduism in Armenia - `The History of Taron'

Politics of the NE

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Quotes
Na kulam vrittahinasya

Pramanamiti me matihi /

Anteshwapij jatanam

Vrittameva vishishyate //

– Mahabharata, Udyoga Parva, Ch 34, v 41.

Put light in our brahmanas, put it in our chiefs (kings), (put) light in vaishyas and shudras, put light in me by your light.

Rucham no dhehi brahmaneshu

Rucham rajasu naskridhi |

Rucham vishveshu shudreshu

Mayi dhehi rucha rucham ||

–Taittiriya Samhita V 7.6 3-4

High birth can be no certificate for a person of no character. But persons with good character can distinguish themselves irrespective of low birth.

Yastu Shudro dame satye

dharme cha satatotthitah /

tam brahmanamaham manye

vritten hi bhavet dvijah //

– Mahabharata, Vanaparva, Ch 216, vs 14-15.

It means: That shudra who is ever engaged in self-control, truth and righteousness, I regard him a brahmin. One is a twice-born by conduct alone.

Manipur

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 * http://manipuri.20m.com/
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 * Manipur:The Land of Jewels
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 * THE MEITEI CULTURE AND RELIGION OF MANIPUR
 * Thangal General, Charai Thangal And Pamheiba
 * Manipuri Culture: Its growth and development
 * Traditional Religion Of The Meiteis
 * Manipur - DIMA


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