Which religions are practiced by people in Jammu and Kashmir?

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The population of the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir is religiously diverse, with the following primary faiths represented:

  • Islam: Adhered to by approximately two-thirds of the population, representing a higher proportion than in any other Indian state or union territory except for Lakshadweep.1
  • Hinduism: Practiced by most of the remaining third of the population. In the Jammu region specifically, more than two-thirds of residents are Hindu.12
  • Sikhism: A small minority of Sikhs resides in the territory, with the majority of this community living in the Jammu region.12
  • Buddhism: A small minority of Buddhists also lives in the region.1

The religious composition varies geographically; for instance, while the Jammu region has a Hindu majority, the proportion of Muslims increases toward the northwest, becoming the dominant majority in areas such as Poonch.2