Sri Lanka: The bright facade of a Hindu temple in Bandarawela, Uva Province

After Buddhists, Hindus (almost all of whom are Tamils) represent the largest religious group in Sri Lanka. Hinduism recognises literally dozens of deities, but the Lord Brahma is regarded as the supreme godhead. Hinduism is a rather eclectic religion, or at least appears so to the non-Hindu. Thus the Buddha himself is readily incorporated within Hinduism as an incarnation of the great Hindu deity Vishnu. Like Buddhists, Hindus also seek to break the seemingly endless cycle of rebirth through attaining enlightenment. This can be achieved through meaningful worship, meditation, ascetic practices and selflessness. Within Hinduism, guidance is provided by priests and gurus. In Sri Lanka the most important (and popular) Hindu deities are Skanda, the God of War, Vishnu, the Preserver of the Universe, Siva, the Creator-Destroyer, Ganpati, the God of Wisdom, Laksmi, the Bringer of Wealth, and Ganesh, the elephant-headed God. Hindu gods appear in many Buddhist temples, just as the Buddha may appear in Hindu temples. The religions are distinct yet linked, as they have been for perhaps as long as two millennia.