Hinduism

Hinduism was a religion originating in India and evolved from the Vedic religion during the Vedic Age. Hinduism was predominant in India for sometime until Buddhism and Jainism revolved. Due to this religion, Brahmin priests were able to hold a high social status since they knew lots of the sacred texts or Vedas which are the main texts of Hinduism. In Hinduism, although millions of gods are worshipped, the main ones are Vishnu, the creator and preserver, Shiva, the destroyer and Devi, the female goddess of fertility, procreation and tolerant of violence. Hinduism offered many ways to approach god. This could be achieved through having knowledge of sacred texts, mental and physical discipline and devotion to the deity. Also, performing puja or services to a deity may gain the person divine favor. The ultimate goal for Hindu's was to reach moksha. Moksha is the release from the cycle of reincarnations and a concept of reaching God, the ultimate power. This idea is in contrast to the Buddhist concept of Nirvana. For most Hindu's, the Ganges River was a very sacred place. It was a sacred place because Hindu's believed that rivers or natural features had religious natures. Also, the goddess Ganga (Goddess of Water) sprouted out of the head of Shiva. Hence, the Ganges River. Another reason for this river to be sacred would be that Shiva statues are believed to be made of natural rocks/minerals. As rocks are transported through these rivers, due to erosion the rocks change shape and sometimes, turn into shapes that are used to represent Shiva. Hinduism was a religion that spread throughout the Silk Road and is still practiced in India and many other parts of the world. It was a unique religion to the Dravidians and Aryans.

This is the ultimate god Shiva with his wife Parvati, son Ganesh, vehicle Kamadenu or cow. They are on Mt. Kailash and at the top of Shiva's head, you can see Ganga. 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/history/history_1.shtml#section_3