Religion
The religion of the Indus people had some interesting aspects. There is an absence of any temple among the remains of the Indus Valley. Some scholars like to believe that the large buildings found at Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro were in fact temples. Dr. Basham rejected this view saying that that no idol has been found within these buildings.
Worship
The importance of the worship of the Mother Goddess (Sakti) is proved by the discovery of numerous terra-cota figurines. The worship of Siva is suggested by the discovery of figure of a deity with three faces, with horned head dress, seating cross-legged in a Yogic posture, surrounded by animals like buffalo, rhinoceros, deer, tiger, etc. Two more figures representing Siva have been unearthed also. In these figures Siva seats in a Yogic posture and plants or flowers emerge from his head. The worship of Siva and Mother Goddess were widely prevalent. Animal worship is shown by seals and terracotta figurines. Worship of tree, fire, water and probably sun seems to have been in prominent among the Indus people. The discovery of a few seals bearing Swastika symbol and Wheel symbol also indicates Sun worship. Swastika is the symbol of the Sun.
Sacrifices
The discovery of a sacrificial pit of Lothal supports to the view that the Indus people performed animal sacrifices. We are not sure on this point and need further proof.
Funeral Customs
The Indus people had three funeral customs. They first complete burial of the dead body. Next, they either buried the bones of the dead body after wild beasts ate it, or buried the ashes and bones after burning the dead body.
The religion of the Indus people had some interesting aspects. There is an absence of any temple among the remains of the Indus Valley. Some scholars like to believe that the large buildings found at Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro were in fact temples. Dr. Basham rejected this view saying that that no idol has been found within these buildings.
Worship
The importance of the worship of the Mother Goddess (Sakti) is proved by the discovery of numerous terra-cota figurines. The worship of Siva is suggested by the discovery of figure of a deity with three faces, with horned head dress, seating cross-legged in a Yogic posture, surrounded by animals like buffalo, rhinoceros, deer, tiger, etc. Two more figures representing Siva have been unearthed also. In these figures Siva seats in a Yogic posture and plants or flowers emerge from his head. The worship of Siva and Mother Goddess were widely prevalent. Animal worship is shown by seals and terracotta figurines. Worship of tree, fire, water and probably sun seems to have been in prominent among the Indus people. The discovery of a few seals bearing Swastika symbol and Wheel symbol also indicates Sun worship. Swastika is the symbol of the Sun.
Sacrifices
The discovery of a sacrificial pit of Lothal supports to the view that the Indus people performed animal sacrifices. We are not sure on this point and need further proof.
Funeral Customs
The Indus people had three funeral customs. They first complete burial of the dead body. Next, they either buried the bones of the dead body after wild beasts ate it, or buried the ashes and bones after burning the dead body.