The foundation of Shirk are two:
1️⃣ Extreme veneration or love for someone or something:
🌟Narrated `Umar رضي الله عنه: I heard the Prophet ﷺ saying: ❝Do not exaggerate in praising me as the Christians praised (Eesaa) Ibn Maryam, for I am only a Slave. So, call me the Slave of Allaah and His Messenger.❞
📚 [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (3445 & 6830)]
🌟Another evidence is the narration of Ibn `Abbaas رضي الله عنهما, as reported in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree, where he explained how Shirk had started in the people of Nooh عليه السلام. All those idols that were worshiped were of righteous people.
➡️ The Hindus love of wealth made them worship Laxmi, the "goddess" of wealth.
2️⃣ Fear of something:
Shaitaan
إِنَّمَا ذَٰلِكُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ يُخَوِّفُ أَوْلِيَاءَهُ فَلَا تَخَافُوهُمْ وَخَافُونِ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ
{It is only Shaitaan that suggests to you the fear of his Auliyaa' [supporters and friends (polytheists, disbelievers)], so fear them not, but fear Me, if you are (true) believers}
📚 [Surah aal-Imraan (3): 175]
Shaitaan uses his means to scare people into committing Shirk (associating partners with Allaah in worship) and acts of Kufr (disbelief).
In the past, whenever the people feared something, they worshiped it and offered it sacrifices and other offerings to please it, to try to calm it down, to seeks its protection.
An ignorant person will do anything to save himself when frightened, including acts of Shirk and Kufr.
➡️ One such recent case is where some ignorant Hindus conducted prayers and offered sweets to Coronavirus (COVID-19) to calm down and not to harm them. Even though this was a very small group of people, yet it is an example to learn from.