Some important features of the Harappan religious life:
(i) The Harappan people worshipped trees, stones etc. A large number of terracotta figurines discovered at the Harappan sites have been associated with the worship of mother goddess.
(ii) Some scholars believe that the Harappans also worshipped linga and yoni, but other scholars are doubtful about it.
(iii) Harappans also believed in male deity. It is evident by the seal depicting a deity with a buffalo - horned head - dress, sitting in a yogic posture and surrounded by animals. It is believed that the deity is of god Pashupati.
(iv) In another instance, a deity is shown with horns and blowing hair standing nude between the branches of a Pipal tree and a worshipper is kneeling in front. It may represent tree worship.
(v) Animals were also worshipped by the Harappans.
(vi) The Harappan also believed in fire worship. It is evident from the evidence found at Kalibangan and Lothal. At Kalibangan, a series of raised brick platforms with pits containing ash and animal bones have been discovered. These are identified as five altars. This also explains that the Harappans living in different areas followed religious practices as there is no evidence of fire - pits at Harappan or Mohenjodaro.
(vii) The Harappans followed some burial practices and the rituals. Dead bodies were generally rested in north - south direction with their head towards north and the feet towards south. The dead were buried with a varying number of earthen pots. In some graves the dead were buried along with goods such as bangles, beads, copper mirrors. This may indicate that the Harappans believed in life after death.
(viii) At Lothal three joint or double burials with male and female bodies together were discovered. A symbolic burial i.e., a burial which contains pots but no bones or skeleton, has been discovered from Kalibangan.
(ix) Thus, these different practices in different regions of Harappan civilization may reflect diversity in religious beliefs.
