ॐ Hindu Of Universe ॐ
“God’s light is within you, It never leaves you.”
Religious Idols
IdolsIdol-worship seems to have set its roots in Hinduism much before Vedic era began.
The Indian idol is considered as a substitute or symbol.
The statues of God and Goddess are precious for the devotees as they bear the mark of his Lord.
The devotee feels the presence of Lord in the image and it represents holiness and eternal blessings.
Made of various materials, idols are worshiped everywhere – in home, in temples and any other religious place.
Style of Idols
Maratha style : The style dates back to 17th or 18th century and in this style of idol making, blocks of stones are converted into idols.
Hoysala style : The idols crafted out of this style usually highlight sharp features, sophisticated and ornamented artistry and a distinct style.
Tanjore style : Idols crafted out of this represent the traditional Tanjore sculptures.
Jaipur style : In this style, white Makrana marble is carted into roughly-shaped blocks, which is finally shaped into figures of Gods and Goddesses.
Hindu God Idols
Hinduism is known for the variety of gods and goddesses, who are worshipped in various forms.
Hinduism is believed to be “apauruseya“, that is of impersonal origin and so are the Gods of Hinduism.
The Hindu gods and goddesses are eternal and though the deities appear to be different and independent,
they are really facets of the same Supreme God.
The main Hindu Gods as is accepted today can be broadly classified as
Saiva Gods (Siva, his consort, his sons, his other forms),
Vaishnava Gods (Vishnu, his consort, his various avatharams).
In Hinduism, many Gods are worshiped and some of them are
Ashwini Kumaras
Ashwini KumarasAshwini Kumaras are the twin gods of Hindu mythology.
First physicians/healers of heaven and earth.
The word ‘ashwini’ means horsewoman in Sanskrit, and the word ‘kumara’ denotes eternal youth.
Sanjna (Lord Surya’s wife) was wandering around the Universe in the form of a mare in the absence of her husband.
Lord Surya saw through her deception and assumed the form of a horse.
Ashwini Kumaras are a result of this union.
Ashwini Kumaras are associated with the lunar constellation Ashwini, which is related to healing and eternal youth.
They are depicted as twins with the head of a horse, and a human body.
They are regarded as the embodiments of knowledge and speed.
Ashwini Kumaras also represent the fleeting moments between night and dawn (speed), and herald dawn (knowledge).
Lord Agni
Lord Agni is the also known as Agni dev.
He is the young, immortal Lord of fire, and holds the second position in Hindu mythology after Indra.
He was born from a lotus created by Brahma (the Creator in Hindu mythology).
The word ‘agni’ means fire in Sanskrit.
This word also has its roots in the Latin word ‘ignis’, from which the English word ‘ignite’ is derived.
Hindu mythology and Vedic scriptures describe Lord Agni as red hued, having three legs, seven tongues, seven hands, and two faces.
The two faces are suggestive of his beneficient and destructive qualities.
Seven rays of light emanate from his person.
Lord Agni rides a ram, and is the creator of a fire weapon called ‘agneyastra’.
Lord Agni is the guardian of the Southeast direction.
The three mukhi (three-faced) rudraksh bead is the symbol of Lord Agni.
Like fire that burns all impurities, the wearer will be purged of all sins and attain purity of thought and deed.
Lord Ayyappa
Lord AyyappaLord Ayyappa is a celibate Hindu god.
Lord Ayyappa is said to have been born out of the union of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu (in His female form ‘Mohini’).
Hence, he is known by other names like Hariharaputra, Hariharasuthan, Ayyappan, Manikanta and so on.
Lord Ayyappa is known for his benevolence.
As an infant, Lord Ayyappa lay on the banks of the river Pampa.
King Rajashekhara, ruler of Pandalam heard his wails.
Since the king had no children, he brought Lord Ayyappa to his palace and adopted him.
As a child, Lord Ayyappa imparted to the king, the principles of attaining Moksha (salvation).
He also instructed the king to construct a temple atop the Sabarimala hill.
After the temple was constructed, Lord Ayyappa entered the sanctum sanctorum and never returned.
He is said to have merged with the Supreme Power.
Lord Ayyappa is worshiped across India, and is the presiding deity of the Sabarimala temple in Kerala (India).
Lord Balaram
Lord Balarama is the son of Devaki and Vasudeva.
He incarnated as the elder brother of Lord Krishna.
He is believed to be the incarnation of Sheshnaga, or the serpent on whom Lord Vishnu rests.
Lord Balarama is described as fair, and wearing blue garments.
His neck is adorned with a garland of forest flowers, and he carries a plough in his hand.
Lord Balarama is also considered to be the ninth incarnation (avatar) of Lord Vishnu.
He is also known by the name Baladeva, and is the best friend of Lord Krishna.
With Lord Jagannath (another form of Lord Krishna), he incarnated as Balabhadra.
He is known for his immense strength.
Lord Balarama denotes eternal truth and knowledge.
Lord Balarama is also worshiped as ‘adiguru’ or Supreme Teacher.
Lord Bhairav
Lord Bhairav Lord Shiva incarnated as Lord Bhairav.
“Bhairava” means terrifying, and Lord Shiva in his fearsome aspect is called Lord Bhairav.
He is pictured with blue or black skin, bulging eyes, and a mustache.
He has a dog as his divine vehicle.
He is usually associated with Tantra.
Worshiping Lord Bhairav bestows victory over enemies, materialistic comforts, and success.
The origin of Lord Bhairav can be traced to the legend of Shiva and Sati.
Sati’s (Lord Shiva’s wife’s) father Daksha slighted Shiva by not inviting him to a yajna which was attended by other gods.
Lord Shiva was enraged when Sati immolated herself in the sacrificial fire.
He killed Daksha, and carried Sati’s lifeless body around the Universe performing the ‘tandava’ dance.
Lord Vishnu realized that the end of the world was near.
He cut Sati’s body with his Sudarsana chakra, and the pieces fell in various parts in and around India.
These places came to be famous as shakti peethas or places of worship of the Mother goddess.
Since then, Lord Shiva protects these temples in the form of Lord Bhairav.
Lord Brahma
Lord Brahma The creation of Lord Brahma is stated differently in different legends.
According to Puranas, he is self-born (without mother) in the lotus which grows from the navel of Vishnu at the beginning of the Universe.
According to another legend, Lord Brahma created himself by first creating water.
Lord Brahma is the is the Hindu God of Creation, and is the first of member of the Hindu Trinity or Trimurti, the others being Vishnu and Shiva.
He created the Gods and placed them in different worlds : Agni on earth, Vayu in the atmosphere and Surya in the sky.
Lord Brahma is traditionally depicted with four heads, four faces and four arms.
Each head describes one of the four Vedas.
He is usually depicted with a white beard, to match the near eternal nature of his existence.
One of his hands is depicted holding a scepter in the form of a spoon, which is associated with the pouring of holy Ghee or oil into a sacrificial pyre.
This symbolises that Brahma is the Lord of sacrifices.
The second hand holds a Kamandalu (a water-pot), which signifies that it is the initial, all-encompassing ether in which the first element of creation evolved.
The Lord also holds a string of rosary beads that he uses to keep track of the Universe’s time.
Lord Brahma is represented holding the Vedas, and sometimes, a lotus flower in his fourth hand.
Lord Brahma’s vehicle is a swan (Hans) which is known for its judgment between good and bad.
Lord Brahma’s consort is Goddess Saraswati, the Goddess of knowledge and art.
Lord Buddha
Lord Buddha is considered the ninth avatar (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu.
He is the founder of Buddhism. “Buddha” means ‘enlightened one’.
Lord Buddha was born in 560 B.C. (approximately).
The place of his birth was Lumbini, near the city of Kapilavastu (now in Nepal).
He was born to the royal couple Suddhodana and Maya Devi.
He was named Siddhartha.
He is also known as Gautama Buddha.
Lord Buddha realized very early in life that life is an illusion (Maya).
He renounced the world when he was twenty eight years old even though he was married.
He taught the path of Nirvana (liberation) to his father, wife and son before he left his home forever.
His teachings include ahimsa (non-violence) and dharma (right conduct).
He left the world in 480 B.C. at the age of eighty.
The Mahabodhi Temple (Bodh Gaya, India) was built to honor the place (and the tree) where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment.
Lord Budh
Lord Budh is associated with the planet Mercury.
Lord Budh is also known as Budha, or Grahapati (lord of the planets).
According to Vedic myth, Lord Chandra (the Moon) was overcome with lust on seeing Brihaspati’s (Jupiter’s) wife Tara.
Lord Chandra abducted Tara, and Lord Budha (Mercury) is the result of this unoin.
Thus, it is believed that the intellect (Mercury) is born out of the mind (Moon).
Lord Budha is depicted as having four hands, wearing yellow clothes and ornaments made of yellow flowers.
Mercury is also known as ‘grahapati’ or lord of the planets.
Lord Budha blesses his devotees with wisdom and wealth, and he also removes all evil thoughts.
He is the guardian of the north direction.
Emerald is his gem, and Wednesday is his ruling day.
He rules the zodiac signs Gemini and Virgo.
Lord Chandra
Lord Chandra is also known as Moon.
He is also known as the lord of the stars.
“Chandra” in Sanskrit means ‘bright and shining’.
He is also known as Soma, named after the intoxicating drink of the gods.
Lord Chandra occupies the second position amongst the nine planets or Navagrahas.
He adorns Lord Shiva’s head.
Lord Chandra rules the zodiac sign Cancer.
He also rules over the tides of the sea.
His gems are moonstone and pearl.
Lord Chandra’s ruling day is Monday.
He is the guardian of the northwest direction.
His metal is silver.
Worshiping Lord Chandra is said to provide relief from sorrows and mental afflictions.
Lord Dattatreya
Lord Dattatreya According to Hindu mythology, Lord Dattatreya is believed to be the combined avatar (incarnation) of the Hindu trinity (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva).
Sage Atri prayed to the Hindu trinity,
and when they were pleased with his penance, they appeared before him and offered to grant him a boon.
Sage Atri asked for an offspring that would have their benevolent qualities.
Thus, Lord Dattatreya was born.
Lord Dattatreya is depicted as having three heads, symbolizing the past, present, and future.
His three heads also symbolize the three states of consciousness.
He is pictured with four dogs around him, which represent the four Vedas and his mastery over them.
Lord Dattatreya is considered the teacher of all gods.
He dispels all evil influences.
Lord Dhanvantri
Lord Dhanvantri is the discoverer of Ayurveda, and is considered the physician of the gods (like the Ashwini Kumaras).
According to Hindu mythology, Lord Dhanvantri appeared while the primeval ocean was being churned.
He brought with him the knowledge of long life, health, and medicine.
When the primeval ocean was being churned for the Nectar of Immortality, 14 gems were produced, and Lord Dhanvantari is considered one amongst them.
Lord Dhanvantari destroys negativity and blesses his devotees with good health.
He is also known by the name Sudhapani, since he appeared with the pot of Nectar in his hands.
The day of his appearance is celebrated on the thirteenth day or ‘trayodasi’ when the moon is in its waxing phase.
This day is celebrated every year, a few days before Diwali/Deepavali (the festival of lights).
Lord Ganesha
In Hinduism, Lord Ganesha is one of the most well-known and venerated god. Ganesha is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati with an elephantine countenance with a curved trunk, big ears and a plump belly.
‘Ga’ symbolizes Buddhi (intellect) and ‘Na’ symbolizes Vidnyana (wisdom).
Therefore, Ganesha is considered the master of intellect and wisdom.
Lord Ganesha rides on or is attended by a mouse.
He is most commonly represented sitting down, with one leg raised in the air and bent over the other.
He is regarded as the Lord of success, wisdom prosperity and the destroyer of evils and obstacles.
Lord Ganesha is invoked at the beginning of any journey, wedding ceremony and enterprise.
The consort of Ganesha is Riddhi (material abundance) and Siddhi (intellectual and spiritual power).
Ganesha idols are crafted out of various materials including :
Stone
Wood
Ashtadhatu
Brass
Sphatik/Crystal
Parad/Mercury
The height and weight of Ganesha idols vary depending on the materials used for making them.
There are various styles of Ganesha idols including :
Deepak Ganesha Idol : In this type of idol, Lord Ganesha is represented as wearing a crown.
The base of the idol has five cups or diyas where oil lamps can be lit.
These idols are mainly made of brass and look very beautiful with an antique finish.
Panchmukha Ganesha Idol : Panchmukhi means having five faces.
In some ancient scriptures, Ganesha is depicted as having five heads.
This type of Ganesha idol is very popular in South India and is mainly worshipped for good luck and prosperity.
These idols are also carved in brass.
Jhoola Lakshmi Ganesha Idol : This type of idol is mainly crafted in brass, sphatik and parad and depicts Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi together in a jhoola (swing).
The idol of Lakshmi Ganesha is worshipped on Diwali nights.
Lakshmi is regarded as the Goddess of wealth and Ganesha is regarded as the Lord of prosperity and good luck.
The idol of Lakshmi Ganesha looks antique and also serves as an excellent gift item on Diwali and other festivals.
Lord Garuda
Lord Garuda In Hindu mythology, Lord Garuda is one of the principal animal deities.
He is the son of the sage Kashyap and Vinita (Daksha’s daughter).
He is also known as the King of Birds.
Lord Garuda is the divine carrier/vehicle of Lord Vishnu.
His speed of flight mocks the wind.
Lord Garuda is also considered the destroyer of all obstacles.
Lord Garuda is pictured as having a head and wings of an eagle while his body belongs to that of man.
He has a white head, red wings, and a golden body.
He was born with extreme hatred for evil, and it is believed that he wanders around the Universe devouring evil-doers.
His hatred for snakes is also well known.
Lord Garuda is always worshiped along with Lord Vishnu, and never as a separate deity.
Lord Guru
Lord GuruLord Guru is the planet of Jupiter.
He is also known as Brihaspati and Devagura.
Lord Guru is the preceptor of Indra (king of the gods), and is the most auspicious of planets.
According to the Shiva Purana, Lord Guru is the son of sage Angirasa and Surupa.
He has three wives, namely Shuba, Tara, and Mamata.
The color of Lord Guru is yellow, and he also wears yellow robes.
Lord Guru blesses his devotees with strength, knowledge, longevity, and progeny.
He cures ailments of the stomach and wards off sins.
Lord Guru is also benevolent, and a dispenser of justice.
His metal is gold, and his gem is yellow topaz/yellow sapphire.
His day is Thursday.
Lord Guru is the guardian of the north-east direction.
Lord Hanuman
Lord Hanuman is one of the incarnations of Lord Shiva.
He is depicted as a monkey and is known for his bravery, heroic deeds and eternal devotee of Lord Rama.
The idol of Lord Hanuman represents him holding a Gada (mace), which reflects courage and bravery along with a picture of Lord Rama tattooed on his chest, which symbolizes his eternal devotion.
Lord Hanuman has many names like “Mahaveera” (the great hero ), “Pavan-suta” (Son of Air), “Bajarangbali” (one with unlimited power).
The worshiper of Lord Hanuman is always blessed with pure and unselfish devotion.
Hanuman Idol is the provider of hope, knowledge, fearlessness, intellect and is a symbol of endless devotion.
He is the greatest devotee of Lord Rama and has been given a boon to be worshipped through all the “Yugas” (Eras) of Hindu time scale.
The idol of Lord Hanuman is usually made of :
Stone
Brass
Parad
The idols of Lord Hanuman come in different height, weight and base length.
These parameters depend on the type of material used for making the idol.
Lord Hayagriva
Lord Hayagriva is a form of Lord Vishnu. In Sanskrit, ‘Haya’ means horse, and ‘griva’ means neck.
Lord Hayagriva has the head and neck of a horse and the body of a divine being.
Lord Vishnu is said to have incarnated as Lord Hayagriva when two demons named Madhu and Kaitabha stole the Vedas from Lord Brahma, the Cosmic Creator.
Lord Hayagriva killed the demons and restored the Vedas.
Lord Hayagriva is the embodiment of bliss and knowledge.
Lord Hayagriva blesses his devotees with knowledge, and a prosperous family life.
His devotees are sure to find enlightenment at the lotus feet of Lord Hari.
Lord Indra
Lord IndraIndra is the chief god of Rig Veda.
Indra is the leader of Devas.
Lord Indra is the god of war, storms and thunder, he is strongest of all beings and greatest of all warriors.
Lord Indra has been the protector of Gods and mankind against the evil forces.
Possessing the celestial weapon Vajra, the lightning bolt, Lord Indra is known as the God of thunder.
He also has a bow, a hook and a net in the battle.
Lord Indra is also considered as the creator, since he is the one who brought water to earth, he is known as the fertility god as well.
Lord Indra is also believed to have the power to revive slain warriors who had fallen in battle.
He enjoys drinking soma.
Lord Indra is very handsome, he is the eldest son of Kasyapa and Aditi.
His vahana-vehicle is a white colored elephant called Eravat.
Lord Jagannath
Lord Jagannath is the Lord of the world.
The word Jagannath literally means lord of the universe.
Lord Jagannath is the symbol of universal love and brotherhood.
Jagannath is particular form of Lord Vishnu, or more accurately that of Lord Krishna.
The image of Lord Jagannath has no legs just has stump of hands.
The idol is black in color.
Lord Jagannath is worshiped along with his brother Balabhadra and sister Suvadra.
Lord Balabhadra is the elder brother, Lord Jagannath is younger brother and Devi Suvadra is younger sister.
Puri, in Orissa is considered the real abode of Lord Jagannath.
It is believed that Lord Jagannath symbolizes cosmic zero and that Lord is omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient.
The Jagannath cult has people of all religion and faith.
Lord Kalki
Lord Kalki According to Hindu mythology Lord Kalki is the tenth and final re-incarnation of Lord Vishnu who is not yet born.
Lord Kalki is the protector of good.
It is a strong belief according to Hindu myhthology that Lord Kalki takes birth in this planet in Kalyug {time after death of Lord Krishna around 3000bc}.
Klayug is believed to be a time of wars, deciet, and peaceless attrocities.
It is said that it is this time that Lord will reincarnate himself as Kalki and save the world from pain and troubles.
The Kalki temple in Jaipur is the only temple that is built in the name of an incarnation who is not yet born.
Kalki actually means born of time.
It is believed that Lord Kalki will come in a white horse with a shining sword in his hand and will protect mankind from the chaos and evils of kalyug.
Lord Kamdev
Lord Kamdev is the Hindu god of love.
Kamdev is symbolized as a young and good looking man with wings who possesses bow and arrows.
According to Shivpuran, Kamdev is a son meaning a creation of Bramha, creator of the universe.
According to Hindu mythology Kamdeva is a brother of Prasuti, they both are children of Shatarupa, also a creation of Bramha.
Lord Kamdev’s bow is made of sugarcane with honeybees sitting on it.
The arrows are beautifully decorated with five kinds of sweet smelling flowers.
The string of the bow is made of a chain of honeybees.
Parrot, cuckoo and humming bees are his companions.
Lord Kartikeya
Lord KartikeyaKartikeya is the second son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati or Shakti. He is known by many names like, Skanda, Subramaniam, Shadanana, Guha, Sanmukha meaning having six faces.
Lord Kartikeya symbolizes a person of perfection.
He is the war God and was created by all the Gods to bring an end to the demons.
Lord Kartikeya is very masculine and fierce.
He is also regarded as fire and is very fiery in nature.
The Lord has a spear in his hand called Sakti which represents the destruction of evil and with his other hand he is found blessing his devotees.
In south India Lord Kartikeya is very popular and is known as Murugan.
Lord Kartikeya’s vehicle or Vahana is a peacock that has the capacity of killing serpents [representing ego and desires of people] by gripping in his feet.
Thus the peacock represents the destroyer of harmful and sensual desires of humans.
Lord Krishna
Lord Krishna According to various Hindu traditions, Lord Krishna is regarded as the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu.
He is known for his bravery in destroying evil powers throughout his life.
Lord Krishna is worshiped by Hindus all across the world.
In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna is seen as the Supreme Person and the highest God.
The Lord is usually depicted as playing the flute (Murali), which symbolizes spreading the melody of love to people.
In most of his idols, Lord Krishna is also represented with his childhood devotee Radha. The Lord is usually remembered and worshipped as Radha-Krishna.
The pair symbolizes the eternal love between people and god.
Lord Krishna is also shown with his pet cow, his childhood favorite.
Lord Krishna performed many divine sports (leela) during his childhood.
Different types of materials used for crafting the idol of Lord Krishna include :
Ashtadhatu
Stone
Brass
Parad
The height and weight of these idols varies on the basis of the material used for carving them.
The idols of Shree Krishna are available in various styles and postures. Some of the common styles are :
Radha Krishna Jhoola Idol
This is a very lovely idol, usually crafted in brass that depicts Lord Krishna and his beloved Radha together in a Jhoola (swing).
This type of idol reflects a unique example of love and devotion.
Baby Krishna Idol
This type of idol depicts child Krishna childhood who is known for his naughtiness and mischievous acts.
In his childhood, Lord Krishna was known as Makhan Chor, the one who used to steal butter from cowherd damsels in his neighbourhood.
Ladoo Gopal Idol
Lord Krishna was lovingly called “Ladoo Gopal” in his childhood.
This type of idol of Lord Krishna depicts the childhood with the Lord holding a ladoo that symbolizes happiness and joy to the world.
Lord Kuber
Lord KuberLord Kuber, also known as Kuvera is considered as the actual God of wealth, money and success in Indian mythology.
He is the Lord of all treasures and the god’s treasurer.
Kuber is also known as the God of Yakshas (savage beings).
Kuber is the actual Lord of Riches in the Indian pantheon (Lakshmi being the goddess of fortune of which money is a great part).
Kuber is worshipped as a God who protects and conserves wealth in a family.
It is believed that worshiping Kuber idol regularly along with Kuber yantra ensures fast results and blesses the natives with prosperity, wealth and goodluck.
He is the basis of gain of unlimited wealth and prosperity.
According to ancient vedic books of Ramayana, Kuber made the Gold Lanka, which was taken by his brother Ravana.
All ancient texts encourage the use of Kuber Sadhana for the gain of wealth.
It is said that Lord Kuber blesses the Sadhak with material success and wealth.
Our Vedas and ancient texts encourage the use of Kuber sadhana for the gain of wealth.
It is believed that there are three main benefits form Kuber Sadhana.
Firstly, when Lord Kuber is pleased, he blesses the devotee with material success and wealth.
Secondly, there are increased chances of getting wealth unexpectedly and suddenly.
Thirdly, no matter how much one spends money keeps flowing in, provided the wealth is used for constructive purposes and not for destructive or antisocial activities Kuber Sadhana is short and simple but its effects are amazing if one tries it with true belief and faith.
Lord Kubera idol is usually made of :
Astadhatu
Brass
Stone
Lord Kurma
Lord Kurma or Koorm is the second incarnation of Lord Vishnu in the form of a Tortoise. According to the legend it is believed that mountain Mandara was used as a churning stick and it began to sink in the sea bed.
This crisis made Lord Vishnu assume the form of a tortoise.
Then Lord dived into the bottom of the sea and his back served as the pivot for the churning stick.
The incarnation in the form of Kurma symbolizes the development of life.
This is so because when the ability to breathe air and walk out of water developed hence the turtle became the symbol of perseverance.
Lord Laxman
Lord Laxman is the younger brother of Lord Rama.
His performance of duties as a younger brother is that of sacrifice and superior character, such duties are actually difficult to perform.
Lord Laxmana was very dedicated and loyal to his elder brother Lord Rama.
In comparison to Lord Rama, Laxmana is shot tempered.
But Laxmana is also considered as a vital element of Mariyada Purushottam, as he had displayed presence of mind and courage when Rama had become desperate and angry over the loss of Sita.
In such a situation Laxmana had displayed a matured behavior and had calmed Lord Rama.
Lord Laxmana’s life is a symbol of duties performed by a man towards his elders and also depicts the nature of selflessness in a man’s character.
Lord Mangal
Lord Mangal (Mars) is one of the nine planets or navagrahas.
He is also known by the names Angaraka and Kuja.
According to Vedic mythology, Lord Mangal is born of Sarva and Vikesi (Earth goddess).
He is associated with strength, valor, and courage.
Lord Mangal is the protector of dharma (righteousness), and the purpose of life.
Lord Mangal has four hands, and carries a trident and mace as weapons.
He wears red ornaments.
Worshiping Lord Mangal frees one from skin illnesses, debts, and poverty.
The gemstone of Lord Mangal is the red coral, and his day is Tuesday.
He is the guardian of the south direction.
Lord Rama
Lord Rama is one of the most commonly adored gods of Hindus and is known as an ideal man and hero of the epic Ramayana.
He is one of the most popular heroes of Hindu mythology and folktales in South and Southeast Asia.
Lord Rama is always represented holding a bow and arrow indicating his readiness to destroy evils.
He is also called “Shri Rama” and is regarded as the most famous incarnation Lord Vishnu.
More commonly he is pictured in a family style, (Ram Parivar) with his wife Sita, brother Lakshman and devotee Hanuman who is sitting near Lord Rama’s feet.
Ram Darbar
Ram Darbar constitutes of Lord Rama, Goddess Sita, his wife, Lord Lakshman, his younger brother and his ardent devotee – Lord Hanuman.
Lord Rama is regarded as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu as a great King.
Sita is his eternal consort and an incarnation of Lakshmi.
The idol of Lord Rama is usually made of :
Ashtadhatu
Stone
The height and weight of idols of Lord Rama varies according to the material used for crafting these idols.
Lord Shani
Lord ShaniLord Shani is one of the navagrahas (nine planets).
He is also referred to as Saturn.
He is also known as Shaneeshwara, Shani Bhagawan, Saneeswaran, Lord Sani and so on.
Lord Shani is the son of Lord Surya (the sun god).
According to Hindu mythology, after Sanjana (daughter of Lord Vishwakarma) married Lord Surya, she found the power of his rays hard to bear.
After giving birth to three children, she decided to leave for her parents’ place.
Before she left, she created a woman from her own shadow and named her Chayadevi.
Lord Shani is the result of the union between Lord Surya and Chhayadevi (also known as Chhaya).
When Lord Shani was born, the sun went into an eclipse.
Lord Shani is said to be the enemy of light.
He is associated with the color black.
The crow is Lord Shani’s vehicle.
His gems are the blue sapphire (neelam), and all black gems.
His metal is lead, and he is the lord of Saturday.
Lord Sheshnag
Lord SheshnagLord Sheshnag is depicted is the divine serpent with a thousand heads. According to Hindu mythology, the world rests on the hoods of Lord Sheshnaga, and when he shakes his head, there are earthquakes.
He is also known as Ananta (eternal) since he is immortal and is not affected by death even during the destruction of the Universe.
Lord Vishnu reclines on the coils of Lord Sheshnag in the Ksheersagar, or the Ocean of Milk.
Lord Sheshnag is also considered to be the soul of Lord Vishnu when he incarnated as Lord Balaram.
Lord Shiva
Lord ShivaLord Shiva is one of the main Deities of Hinduism.
He is the Supreme God in Shaivism, one of the major branches of Hinduism practiced in India.
Lord Shiva is worshipped as the paramount lord by the Saivite sect of India.
He is considered as the destroyer and the restorer, the great ascetic and the symbol of sensuality.
Lord Shiva is a part of the trinity or trimurti of Hindu gods.
Even though he represents destruction, Lord Shiva is viewed as a positive force (the Destroyer of Evil).
According to Shaivism, Shiva is not merely a destroyer but performs five functions :
Creator Preserver
Destroyer
Hiding the sins
Blessing
Lord Shiva is usually represented by the Shiva linga (or lingam), which is depicted by a clay mound with three horizontal stripes on it, or visualised as a blazing pillar.
God Shiva is known by various names.
One of his names is Bholenath, which means the innocent God.
Shiva as Rudra is regarded as the destroyer of evil and sorrow.
Shiva as Shankara is known as the doer of good. Lord Shiva has “Trinetra” (divine vision).
He is also known as “Nilakantha” (blue necked).
This is because of the fact that he consumed the poison ‘Halahala’ to save the world from destruction.
Lord Shiva as Nataraja represents the Divine Cosmic Dancer.
Shiva is also known as Ardh narishvara, which symbolises both man and woman.
Lord Shiva idols are crafted out of various materials like :
Stone
Wood
Ashtadhatu
Sphatik/Crystal
Parad/Mercury
The height and weight of Shiva Idols are variable and depends on the material used for making the idol.
Idols of Lord Shiva are available in following style :
Shiva Parivar
Shiva Parivar is a combination of 5 statues comprising the family of Lord Shiva.
It includes Lord Shiva(in the form of shivlinga), Goddess Parvati, their two sons – Ganesha and Kartikeya and Shiva’s vehicle – the Nandi Bull.
It is said that the regular worship of Shiva Parivar results in prosperity and good health.
The idol of Shiva Parivar is usually available in Sphatik and Parad
Lord Shukra
Lord Shukra is a part of the nine planets (navagrahas).
He is the planet Venus.
According to Hindu scriptures, he is born from the union of Sage Bhrigu and his wife Ushana (also known as Usha).
Lord Shukra is blessed by Lord Brahma (the Cosmic Creator), he showers his devotees with abundance.
Lord Shukra is pictured as a fair god.
He has four hands, and is seated on a white lotus.
He rides a chariot driven by eight horses.
Lord Shukra is also known as Shukracharya.
He bestows prosperity, wealth, knowledge, and happiness.
Diamond is the gem of Lord Shukra.
His metals are copper and silver.
His ruling day is Friday, and he is the guardian of the south-east direction.
Lord Skanda
Lord SkandaLord Skanda is the spiritual son of Lord Shiva.
He is also known as Kartikeya or Murugan Skanda.
Lord Skanda has six faces and twelve arms.
This avtar of Lord was granted by Lord Shiva to protect the Gods from the Demons.
This great son of Lord Shiva became the leader of the celestial forces.
The battle was won by the Gods under the able guidance of Lord Skanda.
The spiritual significance of Lord Skanda is the supremity of supreme efficacy, sincere prayer and self surrender.
Lord Surya
Lord Surya is the ruler of all planets that rotate around him.
Lord Surya is also known by other names like Savitar, Aditya, and Ravi.
He is the son of Sage Kashyap and Aditi.
He is described as Jagat Chakshu (Eye of the World), and Aharpati (Lord of the Day). The sun’s rays nourish and nurture life and living beings.
Hence, he is described as ‘Pranadata’ or life-giver.
Lord Surya is the guardian of the east.
He blesses his devotees with good health, fame, and prosperity.
His ruling day is Sunday.
His gemstone is the red ruby, and gold is his metal.
The chariot of Lord Surya has only one wheel.
It is drawn by seven horses corresponding to the colors of the rainbow.
The charioteer of Lord Surya is Aruna, Lord Garuda’s brother.
Lord Varaha
Lord VarahaThe third avtar of Lord Vishnu is known as Lord Varaha.
This avtar is in the form of a boar who was sent to defeat Hiranyaksha, a demon who had carried the Earth to the bottom of the cosmic ocean.
The battle is believed to take place for thousands of years and Lord Varaha won the battle.
Lord Varaha has the face of a boar and a man’s body.
The avtar depicts the reconstruction of the Earth from a deluge and the establishment of a new cycle.
Lord Vishnu married Bhudevi [Prithvi] in this avtar.
Lord Vayu
Lord VayuLord Vayu is the god of wind.
He belongs to the Cosmic Trinity or Hindu Triad (Sun, Fire, Air), and constitutes one of the five elements of the Universe, i.e. earth, air, water, fire, and space.
Lord Vayu is said to have been born from the breath or life force of the Supreme Being.
Lord Vayu is also described as ‘satata-ga’ (ever moving), ‘pavana’ (wind), and ‘gandha-vaha’ (the perfume bearer).
Lord Vayu is considered the king of the Gandharvas (spirits of the atmosphere/sky).
He is said to be fierce and fast.
He roams all over the earth, and heavens.
Lord Vayu is also amorous and has a rash nature.
He is said to have blown the top of the mythical Mount Meru which fell into the sea, and is the present day Lanka (Ceylon).
Lord Vayu is the father of Lord Hanuman.
He is the guardian of the north-west direction.
Lord Vishnu
Lord Vishnu is regarded as a major god in Hinduism and Indian mythology.
He is considered as the Preserver of the universe and is the member of the Trinity of Gods in Hinduism.
The idol of Lord Vishnu is represented as the God having four hands.
The first hand holds a conch shell (sankha) indicating spread of the divine sound “Om“; the second hand holds a discus (chakra), which symbolises the wheel of time; the third one holds a lotus (Padma) which is an example of glorious existence and the fourth hand holds a mace (Gada) indicating the power and the punishing capacity of the Lord in case the discipline of life is ignored.
His vehicle is the swift-flying bird Garuda, which is capable of spreading Vedic knowledge with great courage.
The consort of Lord Vishnu is Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth.
According to Hindu Mythology, Lord Vishnu is represented in two postures.
In one, the God rests on the bed of the powerful, coiled serpent, Sheshnag, who represents the sleeping universe.
In another form, Lord is depicted in a standing posture.
Lord Vishnu is also known as Hari, the Remover.
Lord Vishnu is most popularly identified with his Avatars (incarnations) especially Krishna and Rama.
He is also frequently referred to as Narayana.
Vaishnavite Hindus also worship Vishnu in an abstract form (i.e., God with vague form) as a Shaligrama stone.
Worshiping the Shaligrama is similar to the worship of Lingam, a form of Shiva.
The idol of Lord Vishnu is usually made of the following materials :
Ashtadhatu
Brass
Stone
Parad/Mercury
The height and weight of Lord Shiva idols varies depending on the type of material used for making the idol.
Lord Vishwakarma
Lord Vishwakarma is known as the lord of craftsmen.
Hindus worship Lord Vishwakarma as the god of engineering and architecture.
He is the presiding deity of goldsmiths, blacksmiths, carpenters, masons, and all people who possess craft skills.
Lord Vishwakarma is the son of Lord Brahma, the Cosmic Creator.
Lord Vishwakarma is pictured with four hands.
He carries a book, a vessel, a noose, and craftsmen’s tools.
He is the personification of all creative power.
All chariots, and divine weapons of the gods are created by Lord Vishwakarma.
He built Dwarka, Yamapuri, and Lanka.
He is also said to have created the image of Lord Jagannath and left it incomplete due to interruption.
Lord Yama
Lord Yama or Yamraj, is the god of death.
He is the son of Lord Surya and Sanjana.
‘Yama’ means twin, and this can be attributed to Hindu mythology where he is depicted as the twin brother of Yami (Yamuna).
However, ‘Yama’ also means ‘the restrainer’.
So it is Lord Yama who restrains humankind.
Lord Yama is the god of hell.
Lord Yama is shown with a grim appearance with a glittering crown on his head.
He carries a mace in one hand, and a rope in the other.
He uses the rope to pull the soul from the lifeless body.
He is also considered as the Lord of Justice, a judge of the dead.
According to the karma of the soul, he decide whether to give punishment, and the nature of punishment.
Lord Yama rides a black water buffalo.
He is the guardian of the south direction.
Planet Ketu
Planet KetuKetu is the imaginary headless planet which represents spirituality.
It is the south node of the moon.
According to the Puranas, after the primeval ocean was churned, Lord Dhanvantri appeared with a pot of Nectar.
This was the Nectar of Immortality.
Lord Vishnu was distributing this nectar amongst the gods, when the celestial serpent demon Rahu mingled amidst the gods so he could drink the Nectar of Immortality (Amrita).
The sun and moon gods (Surya and Chandra) saw through his deception and notified Lord Vishnu.
Lord Vishnu cut off Rahu’s head in a fit of rage, but Rahu had already drunk the Nectar and was immortalized.
Thus, his immortal head was severed from the immortal body/tail.
Rahu and Ketu are the severed head and tail of the same demon.
The immortal tail is known as Ketu or dragon tail. Ketu causes lunar eclipse.
The gem of Ketu is Cat’s eye.
Planet Rahu
Planet Rahu is the imaginary planet, the north node of the moon.
According to the Puranas, when the Ocean of Milk was churned, the Nectar of Immortality was produced.
While Lord Vishnu was distributing this nectar amongst the gods, the celestial serpent demon Rahu mingled amidst the gods so that he could taste the nectar and attain immortality (Amrita).
The sun and moon gods (Surya and Chandra) saw through Rahu’s deception.
When they notified Lord Vishnu, he (Vishnu) cut off Rahu’s head in a fit of rage, but Rahu had already drunk the Nectar and was immortalized.
Rahu now refers to the head of the demon.
It is also known as ‘dragon head’. It is the planet of success.
Rahu is associated with the strengthening of personal power.
The gemstone of Rahu is hessonite.
Rahu causes solar eclipse.
Rahu and Ketu are two parts of the same demon.
Hindu Goddess Idols
Hindu Goddess IdolsHinduism is known for the variety of gods and goddesses, who are worshipped in various forms.
All Hindu Gods and Goddesses are the same Supreme God or divine energy, nameless and without form.
God in the feminine form is regarded as the goddess, the Divine Mother in Hinduism.
In Hinduism, many Goddesses are worshiped and some of them are :
Devi Kurukulla
Devi Kurukulla is compared to goddess Tara, where Kurukulla in her red avtaar exercises her powers of enchantment and bewitchment to control the evil spirits, demons, and humans who work against the humanity and its spiritual evolution.
While if talking in terms of practical magic, then she can bring anything imaginable under the practitioner’s power.
She has the power to subjugate the demonic forces.
In Tibet, she is worshiped whenever starting a new project for her blessings.
Along with goddesses Manjushri and Sarasvati, she is worshiped by students to get blessings.
As per mythology, Kurukulla is sixteen years old since sixteen is considered an ideal number signifying perfection, four times four.
She is depicted naked as unconditioned by destructive thoughts.
The garland made of human bones adorns her persona.
She signifies the sixth perfection.
Like Kali, she is also shown in a dancing pose upon a male corpse, thus, signifying her active and energetic & compassionate activity highlighted in both Samsara and Nirvana.
Goddess Aditi
Goddess Aditi, the Hindu great Goddess, is considered the Goddess of Sun.
Her attribute is her motherhood.
She represents the wide horizon.
She is the free-spirited goddess andas per the Vedas, she was once all-encompassing.
She was known as the goddess of the past and the future, the life cycle, the seven dimensions of the cosmos, the celestial light which permeates all things, and the consciousness of all living things.
Later, she was known for giving birth to the Adityas.
Though she is also said to have given birth to the twelve zodiacal spirits.
She is even known as the consort of Brahma.
She is symbolized through the form of a cow as well.
Eventually, Aditi was degraded as a guardian goddess who helped her worshipers find a smooth path to what they were looking for.
Goddess Bhavani
Goddess Bhavani in Hindu mythology is considered as a ferocious goddess Shakti or Devi. She connotes “giver of life”, nature’s power as well the source of creative energy.
She is even known by Karunaswaroopini, meaning “filled with mercy“.
The other names by which is known are Tulaja, Turaja, Tvarita and Amba.
She was the tutelary deity of the Maratha leader, Shivaji.
Due to this, she is worshiped in high reverence throughout Maharashtra.
Legend says that the goddess slained the notorious demon, Mahishasura who had wrecked havoc upon the devas & the humans.
The other legend suggests that a demon camouflaged himself in the form of a wild buffalo, known as Mahisha, & took abode on the Yamunachala hill.
The goddess slained the demon to reestablish peace &, thus, a temple devoted to her was built on the hill.
Goddess Chomolungma
Chomolungma goddess is the name given to Mt. Everest, where she is supposed to inhabit.
She is one of five sisters associated with mountains situated above sacred lakes, along the Nepal/Tibet frontier.
As per the legend, Chomolungma or Miyolangsangma is a part of a group of wrathful Bon deities, the srungma.
She was subdued by the evangelising zeal of Guru Rinpoche to act as a servant of Buddhism.
Ever since, she has become the symbol of a generous benefactor.
The Sherpas on Everest ritually pay their homage to the goddess in order to keep on her good side since anything offensive may such as morally questionable behaviour can provoke her wrath.
Even in the past, she was seen as the deity of a wealth-giver & thus, she still holds that same position in the region.
Goddess Devi
Goddess Devi is a Sanskrit word meaning Goddess which is synonymous with Shakti, the female aspect of divinity.
In the Shakta tradition, she is seen as the driving force without which the male aspect is considered impotent.
She is even known by many names in the of the Hindu culture.
The Divine Mother has forms like that of the warrior Durga and the bloodthirsty Kali.
She at the same time can be gentle as Parvati or mother of the elephant god Ganesha.
She is the better half of Shiva, i.e. Parvati.
Devi is considered to be the “Mother Goddess”, thus, meaning the mother of all.
Her right hand interprets joy and pain while the left hand means life and death.
She is seen as the god of nature and life since she brings rain and is a savior as from death.
She is even worshiped for her mild and loving nature.
She could be terrible as a Mother of Death.
Her divine vehicle is either lion or tiger whenever she is fighting the evil.
In a nutshell, she is the goddess of creative power and represents all women in the universe
Goddess Durga
Goddess Durg Parvati is the Shakti (power) and consort of Lord Shiva, the god of disintegration and destruction.
A majority of goddesses of Hinduism are aspects and variations of Parvati.
She is known by different names like Uma, Gauri, Kali, Durga, Haimavati etc.
Like her consort Shiva, Parvati also has two aspects, the mild and the terrible.
There are three major aspects of Devi Parvati or Shakti Durga, Kali and Lalita. Durga and Kali represent the aspects of power of the goddess and Lalita represents the aspect of beauty.
Goddess Durga is the most widely worshipped aspect of Shakti.
The goddess is the reflection and manifestation of supreme beauty and deadly power and her name is synonymous with the victory of good over evil.
The goddess represents the total personification power of gods.
The word “Durga” literally means one who is difficult to approach or difficult to know.
Being the mother of the Universe, she is the personification of tender love and possesses different forms and aspects.
Goddess Durga is the mysterious power with the combination of both pleasant and terrible nature.
She is the personification of knowledge, wisdom and memory and is worshiped for wealth and prosperity.
According to legends, the Gods could not defeat a buffalo-demon called “Mahisha” who could take any form.
Lord Shiva advised all gods to release their “Shakti” (power) and from the combined force emerged a magnificent, many armed goddess called Devi Durga.
She is called the invincible one and she defeated the demon “Mahisha” and thus saved the Universe from destruction.
The Goddess is usually depicted with eight or ten arms, each holding conch, discus, trident, bow, arrow, sword, dagger, shield, rosary, wine cup and bell.
It is said that each of these weapons were given to the goddess for defeating the buffalo-demon.
The Goddess may be shown as standing on a lotus or on a buffalo head or as riding a lion.
The idol of Devi Durga are usually crafted out of materials like :
Stone
Ashtadhatu
Wood
Parad
Brass
The height and weight of idols of Goddess Durga depends greatly on the material used for making the idol.
Goddess Indrani
Goddess Indrani, as the name goes, was Indra’s wife & was the queen of Gods.
As per the early Vedic accounts, she was merely a female shadow of him.
Sometimes referred to as the goddess of wrath, Indrani was the daughter of a demon called Puloman later killed by Indra.
She was the epitome of beauty with one thousand eyes.
While according to the later Hindu interpretations, she started personifying jealousy & evil intent.
She was ranked as one of the nine astral deities who were the highest of the gods in south.
The divine vehicle for the goddess was either the lion or the elephant.
As per the Rig Veda, she is considered to be the most fortunate female as her husband was granted immortality. According to The Taittiriya Brahmana, Indra chose her as his wife from a number of competing goddesses simply because of her magnetic voluptuous attractions. Though, she has never been held in very high esteem as a goddess. Indrani is known as Sachi and Aindri as well.
Goddess Kadru
Kadru in mythology is the daughter of Daksha, while the wife of Kashyapa.
As per the Adi Parva in Mahabharata, she is considered to be the mother of the Nagas.
While, according to the Ramayana, it is the other way round where she is the daughter of Kasyapa and Krodhavasa, who is another daughter of Daksha.
Thus, she might be seen as Daksha’s grand daughter as well.
The key point about this goddess is her being a mother of “a thousand powerful many-headed serpents, the chief amongst whom were Sesha, Vasuki and many other fierce and venomous serpents.”
It is considered twelve according to the Vishnu Purana while forty as per the Vayu Purana.
Her offspring bear the metronymic Kadraveya.
Goddess Kali
Goddess Kali or “the black one” is the goddess symbolizing dissolution and destruction in Hindu mythology.
She is the destroyer of ignorance who maintains the world order while blesses and frees all those who are seeking knowledge of God.
Her name is associated with Agni, according to Vedas, who is the god of fire & is known for seven flickering tongues of flame.
Out of these, Kali was the black, horrible tongue.
This is considered to be the origin for the name “Kali“, who is the grim consort of Shiva.
When talking about her appearance, then her fearsome baleful eyes, protruding tongue, and four arms along with a bloody sword in her upper left hand & a severed head in her lower left hand, makes it the most fearful picture.
She makes the gesture of fearlessness through her upper left hand while the lower right hand confers benefits.
She is always found draped with a chain of severed human heads & a belt of dismembered arms gives a frightening look to her persona.
She is often shown in a dancing mode or in sexual union with Shiva.
And she stands upon the supine from her husband to depict her Bhavatarini image, i.e. the redeemer of the universe.
Kali is known by names like Kalikamata (“black earth-mother”) and Kalaratri (“black night”) as well.
Goddess Kauri
Kauri is considered as the avatar of the goddess Sere. She is worshiped as the Avatar of the Shadow as well.
Seen as the protector of the dark hours, she even represents illusions, deception & shadows.
She always left a series of legacy wherever she would take birth as a human by the name of Kauri Savina.
Her life suggests two phases, as a humble healer of the Divine Muse later replaced by the position of High Priestess.
But then she became the powerful Avatar of the Shadows and the Angel of Darkness.
She is known by many names like Kauri Savina, Angel of the Mists, Child Thief, Flayer of Minds, Seer of the Eternity’s Eye.
She could hear spoken words within the shadows as per some belief.
One might lose his tongue if he talks ill about the deity.
Kauri seldom makes an appearance without inciting some form of chaos.
While one is even blessed by the goddess if he walks in the Shadows, thus, getting the strength to fight all the odds.
Goddess Kundalini
Goddess KundaliniKundalini is actually a Sanskrit word which means either “coiled up” or “coiling like a snake“.
It emphasizes a more serpentine nature to the word, the ‘serpent power’.
The symbolic coiling snakes is an ancient symbolic representation of Kundalini physiology.
The symbol, however, is believed to have originated from Hermes and Greek mythology.
Legend says that when the Goddess traveled up the spine just to meet her Divine Mate, that has been seen as the consummated union of Spirit and Matter.
She is known as the Goddess Shakti.
Mythological interpretation of the goddess says that whenever the Shakti is awakened, she sweeps us up in her wildest passion to reunite with her Lord Shiva in the crown chakra.
This Mystical Marriage metaphorically symbolizes the combining of the male and female energies within our bodies which gives birth to our multidimensional consciousness.
The procedure helps the soul in living its divine purpose through the human beings.
Goddess Kundalini cannot be remembered for curiosity or selfish reasons.
The ego of mankind cannot survive the serpent’s wrath of the goddess whose force is fifth dimensional.
The goddess has been compared to a forest fire which burns up a huge forest to ashes.
Another comparison has been made to a submarine fire which rises up in the ocean as fire and renders the ocean totally devoid of water.
It can lead to an earthquake when the central fire of land erupts.
Goddess Lakshmi
Goddess Lakshmi is regarded as the Goddess of wealth and good fortune in Hinduism. She is the consort of Lord Vishnu and is said to have taken different forms in order to be with him in each of his incarnations.
Thus when he was the dwarf Vamana, she appeared from a lotus and was known as Padma, or Kamala; when he was the ax-wielding Parasurama the destroyer of the warrior caste, she was his wife Dharani; when he was King Rama, she was his queen Sita.
The idol of Goddess Lakshmi is often represented as seated on a lotus, sometimes being anointed by a pair of elephants.
White owl is the vehicle of Goddess Lakshmi.
The Goddess is worshiped by all Hindu for wealth and prosperity.
It is said that the Goddess blesses the worshiper with wealth, prosperity and harmony in his life.
The idol of Goddess Lakshmi is usually crafted of the following materials :
Stone
Brass
Ashtadhatu
Sphatik/Crystal
Parad/Mercury
Wood
The idol of Lakshmi comes in various styles and combinations. The most common ones are :
Sri Lakshmi Narayana Idol
Lord Narayana, also known as Lord Vishnu, is regarded as a major god in Hinduism and Indian mythology.
Lord Vishnu represents himself as Narayana because he has goddess Lakshmi within him.
Lord Vishnu’s consort is Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth.
The Lakshmi Narayan idol is worshipped in Hinduism for peace, prosperity and to get the blessings of Lord Lakshmi Narayana.
Ganesha and Lakshmi Idol
The most important feature of Diwali celebrations is the Lakshmi – Ganesha pooja. Goddess Lakshmi is the Goddess of wealth and prosperity.
Lord Ganesha is worshipped first on every pooja and is the God of pure consciousness, good luck, knowledge and wisdom.
The auspicious pair of Lakshmi-Ganesh idol brings charm and grace to an individual’s office and home.
Goddess Maricihi
Marici is the goddess of Dawn or Sun’s ray.
The shining goddess is a Buddhist astral goddess.
She is considered to be an avtaar of Vairocana, also his Shakti, as well identified as a bodhisattva, or buddha-designate.
She was the mother of Sakyamuni (a form of the Buddha).
Sun god in Hindu mythology is considered an equivalent of Goddess Marichi.
She is often depicted in a three-headed form, as the Shakti of Hayagriva, beautifully seated on a lotus.
Her left head resembles a pig, while she rides in a chariot drawn by seven boars.
The complexion is red, yellow, or white, and she is flanked by an arrow, fly whisk, horse’s head in the hair, needle, prayer wheel, staff, sword, thread and trident; also in three-eyed.
Her path crosses the route of the sun while traveling, thus, becoming invisible.
She oversees thirty-six celestial deities and seventy-two earthly deities.
All these one hundred and eight deities are responsible for showering blessings and punishing people depending on the karmas from these people’s previous lives and their current lives.
Marici designates a demiurge, a product of the creator god Brahma as per the Hindu mythology.
Goddess Maya
Goddess Maya is considered to be the mother of Buddha, known popularly in the Hindu scriptures as Mahamaya, meaning Great Maya, or Mayadevi, the Goddess Maya.
While she is known as Gutrulma in Tibetan & Queen Maya in English.
Maya means Illusion of an interplay of Substance and Energy that gives a feeling that there is something “there”.
Thus, Mahamaya actually means
The Grandest Deception.
Along with Shakti & Prakriti, Maya makes the powerful combination of the three “personified” as great goddesses.
Life is unimaginable without them.
Still, the humans rely heavily upon Maya as she helps them to be perceptible, & thus, access the reality.
As per the Hindu tradition, the goddess is considered the maiden-aspect of Kali. So, she is the Mahakali, who symbolizes the giver of perception.
Goddess Parvati
Goddess Parvati Uma, Lalitha, Gowri, Shivakamini, Aparna Parvati is a Hindu goddess who is the wife of Lord Shiva and the divine mother of Lord Ganesh and Lord Murugan as per the hindu mythology.
She is also believed to be the divine sister of Lord Vishnu.
According to the Shakthi philosophy, she is the divine, the supreme Lord.
She has been either represented as Shakti or Durga, albeit the gentle aspect of that goddess.
There are numerous forms of Parvati which include Uma, Lalitha, Gowri, Shivakamini, Aparna, the maternal epithet Mataji, and many hundreds of others.
The goddess name is a Sanskrit word which means “mountain“.
She was the daughter of Himavan, lord of the mountains and the apsara Mena. Considered as the second spouse of Shiva, the Hindu God of destruction and rejuvenation, she is no different from Dakshayani, the former consort of Shiva.
It is believed that Parvati was her reincarnated form.
Parvati is the maiden form of Kali.
She is the ultimate power whose hues richness is reflected through her divine attire & her jewels.
Her inevitable connection with life & death, transformation & cause & effect are all reflected through the karmic golden wheel.
Goddess Prajnaparamita
Goddess PrajnaparamitaPrajnaparamita, the famous Buddhist goddess, is the most vital of all deities.
She is the personification of the book of supreme, absolute wisdom.
In the Mahayana tradition, the goddess signifies femininity.
The text states the fundamentals of Mahayana Buddhism where she has been described as Sarva-buddha-matri, “Mother of All Buddhas”.
She is even considered as the female Buddha.
While the offsprings are the surrounding Buddhas.
Identified as the Prajnaparamita book and a vajra, which is a complex symbol of the Buddhist universality, the goddess is always shown sitting in a lotus position.
Supposed to be the goddess of Transcendental Wisdom, she symbolizes the feminine version of the supreme Buddha.
Goddess Saraswati
Goddess Saraswati is the Hindu Goddess of learning and the arts.
She is the daughter of Lord Shiva and Goddess Durga.
Goddess Saraswati is first referred to in literature as the personification of the sacred river, the Saraswati, also known as Sarasvati, and is also identified with Vac, the goddess of speech.
In later Hinduism Saraswati is usually considered the consort of the God Brahma (the promulgator of the Veda), but she enjoys an autonomous position as the patroness of art, music and letters.
It is believed that Goddess Saraswati endows human beings with the powers of speech, wisdom and learning.
The goddess has four hands representing four aspects of human personality in learning; mind, intellect, alertness and ego.
The goddess has sacred scriptures in one hand, a lotus in the second hand, which is a symbol of true knowledge.
With her other two hands, the goddess plays the music of love and life on a string instrument called Veena (violoin).
Goddess Saraswati is dressed in white, which symbolizes purity and rides on a white swan that symbolises Sattwa Guna (purity) and discrimination.
Goddess Saraswati is annually worshiped with great enthusiasm by Hindu students and teachers alike at the advent of spring, when the Hindu year occurs in January-February.
The idols of Goddess Saraswati are usually crafted in the following materials :
Brass
Wood
Stone
The height and weight of these idols depends on the material used for making them.
Goddess Sita
Goddess Sita, as described by the Rig Veda, was the wife of Rama who was the seventh avatara of Vishnu.
She is considered to be the avtaar of Lakshmi on Earth.
The goddess is the main protagonist of the epic “Ramayana“.
The goddess had the appellations of Bhumija, Dharanisuta, and Parthivi, all connoting ‘daughter of the earth’.
Sita was the daughter of Bhumidevi & adopted by Janaka, the king of Mithila. Accordingl, she is known by many names. Such as Janaki, Mythili or Maithili, Ramaa & Vaidehi.
As per the mythological concept, Sita was discovered in a furrow in a ploughed field by King Janaka. She later got married to Rama, the prince of Ayodhya.
Sita strongly emphasizes the feminine power & that was pretty evident through her every action, reaction in her long and arduous life. She is seen as a symbol of power by every female.
Manasa Devi
Manasa Devi is the goddess of naga and fertility. She fulfills the wishes & protects one against snakebite.
Associated with the earth and higher knowledge, she is worshiped mostly in eastern India.
Goddess Manasa was the daughter of sage Kasyapa and Kadru, the sister of the serpent-king Sesha.
She has the power as well to cure infectious diseases & shower one with wealth and prosperity.
She is ritually worshiped with sacrifices offered to her during rainy season, since, the snakes are most active in this season.
Sometimes, she is supposed to be a pre-Aryan goddess.
Legend has that Manasa even requested her father, Lord Shiva, to include her in the pantheon, so that she is worshipped by humans.
Shiva responded to it that if Chand (of Anga kingdom) agrees to worship her, then her wish would be fulfilled.
After a lot of tedious trial, Chand finally agreed to worship her with his left hand.
And, thus, Manasa is the only Hindu goddess who till date is worshiped by the left hand.
Manasa Devi’s well known temples can be found in Haridwar and Chandigarh.
Samshana Kali
Samshana Kali is the mother who dwells there with immaterial spirits.
She is the fiercest & darkest form of Kali.
She is known for her unrestrained, wilderness & terrifying characteristics.
Her frightening look has the capacity to give heartaches even to the most strongest of men.
Usually, the ‘Kali of the Cremation Grounds’ is depicted in deep blue color where the goddess is shown with one face, three eyes, and four arms.
Metaphorically, her strikingly midnight blue complexion signifies her immutable & indestructible nature.
Her nature is such that she is beyond all concepts & qualities.
She has the same characteristics of goddess Kali.
The ‘warrior’ nature can never be separated from her person.
The goddess worshiped as the ‘Goddess of the Dead’.
She is popularly served by dakinis.
She is seen as the female acolytes whose role is to arrange the funerals.
Shakti Devi
Shakti Devi Shakti means force, power or energy in Hinduism & she personifies the female aspect of God. She is even referred as ‘The Divine Mother’.
The goddess symbolizes the active, dynamic principles of feminine power.
As per Shaktism, she is as the Supreme Being.
There is a counter view as well in other Hindu traditions where she has been depicted embodying the active energy and power of male deities such as Vishnu in Vaishnavism or Shiva in Shaivism.
As we all know that Vishnu’s shakti counterpart is Lakshmi, with Parvati being the female shakti of Shiva.
Shakti denotes the eternal and Supreme Power who manifests energy, and substance of everything, and all-pervading.
She is connected with & identical to the power of the gods.
She, like other goddesses, is the source of the universe.
She even represents the violent aspects of Durgha & Kali as well the creative aspects of Shiva.
According to Tantrism philosophy, the Shakti defines the unity of opposites.
Tara Devi
Tara DeviGoddess Tara or Arya Tara, is a female Bodhisattva associated with Tibetan Buddhism. Considered as the “mother of liberation”, she represents the virtues of success in work and achievements. She is seen as Mahatara, Great Tara, who is the supreme creator and mother of all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.
As per the Hindu Mythology, Tara is the Feminine Goddess Archetype who governs the Underworld, the Earth and the Heavens, birth, death and regeneration, love and war, the seasons, all that lives and grows, the Moon cycles – Luna – feminine – creation.
She is a gorgeous looking deity whose favorite animals are the sow, mare, owl and raven.
Considered as one of the most popular figure in the Tibetan pantheon of deities, the name connotes ‘Star’.
She is one of the eight major aspects of the Divine Feminine Principle according to the Hindu scriptures
. She is seen as a benevolent goddess.
She is common in Buddhism, Jainism, and particularly, Tibetan Lamaism as well.
She manifests asceticism, mysticism, & a protector of humanity.
Tara is known by names like Green Tara, White Tara, Red Tara, Black Tara, Yellow Tara, Blue Tara & Cittamani Tara.
Uma Devi
Uma, is considered as the goddess of ‘light’ or the Lady of the Mountains.
She is an ancient Mountain-goddess who imparts the vital virtue of balance to humanity.
She has always been depicted as a beauty with benign power.
Often she is known by Parvati, Ambika, Annapurna, Bhairavi, Candi, Gauri, Durga, Jagadmatai, Kali, Kanyakumari, Kumari, Mahadevi & Syama or Shiva’s consort.
She is seen as a divinity in her own right.
The goddess is the ferocious form of Durga according to the Hindu scriptures.
She has been given the tag of a mediator as she would always resolve the conflicts of heaven.
The daughter of Himavat, the God of the Great Himalayan Mountains and the heavenly nymph Mena, she is also the sister of the sacred river Ganga.
Bengal is mainly considered as the center of goddess Uma’s cult.
Idols by Material
Idols by MaterialA wide range of materials are used for making idols.
Some of the common materials include :
Stone Idols
Stone IdolsA wide variety of stone is used for making idols of Hindu gods and goddesses.
Stone idols are worshipped in houses and temples to improve the aura and to invoke the supernatural powers to bless the natives.
Stone idols are washed with Ganga Jal and abhishek is performed on them, which transforms a piece of rock into a symbol of God himself.
Soapstone is mainly used for shaping and carving idols.
There are many villages in Bastar district of Madhya Pradesh, which are known for carving stone idols and scluptures.
The idols are polished with polishing stones also known as battas by women and children of the village.
The soft marble rocks surrounding Bhedagat near Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh are also used as an ideal raw material for carving
Basically five types of stones are used for making idols.
Among these, Rajouri is the most durable stone. The stone most suitable for making idols is Dingi.
A pink and white stone called Sudapaal, found in Bastar is pretty soft and is easily carved into idols.
There are two types of idols carved using stone. One is the tatiya saaj, which has two dimensional relied work and the other is Akshang, which has three-dimensional relief work on idols.
Various types of idol made using stone includes :
Lord Shiva
Lord Ganesha
Lord Vishnu
Lord Kuber
Lord Krishna
Lord Hanuman
Lord Rama
Goddess Durga
Goddess Lakhsmi
Goddess Saraswati
Wood Idols
Wood Idols Wood is extensively used for crafting beautiful idols of Hindu gods and goddesses.
Though wooden idols are rarely used for worshipping in temples and at home, they are mainly used as decorative pieces in houses, and offices.
They are also ideal for gift items.
Wooden idols are kept as divine desktop items at home and in offices to bring good luck and prosperity.
There are two varieties of wood commonly used for carving idols including :
Sandal wood : Sandal wood, also known as Chandan in Hindi, is much more than a piece of timber in India.
It is a scented tree and is believed to be a divine gift that is revered as a sacred object.
Sandal wood is quite often used for crafting sacred idols and prayer beads in India.
Rose wood : It is yet another variety of wood used for carving idols of Hindu gods and goddesses. Rose wood idols reflect elegance, beauty and uniqueness in craftsmanship.
These idols are garnished with different types of intricate work and art.
Rose wood adds a spiritual value to the idols.
Wooden idols depict the artistic excellence of Indian artists.
These idols are adorned with excellent carving works and finish.
Various color patterns are also used for decorating wooden idols.
Various idols of Hindu gods and goddesses made using wood are :
Lord Ganesha
Lord Krishna
Lord Shiva
Goddess Lakhsmi
Goddess Durga
Goddess Saraswati
Ashtadhatu Idols
Ashtadhatu Idols Ashtadhatu is a very sacred and sattvic (pure) alloy of eight metals namely, gold, silver, copper, zinc, lead, tin, iron and mercury. It has very high value in Hinduism.
Ashtadhatu is widely used for making idols of Hindu gods and goddesses.
The process of making the alloy is quite difficult and hence ashtadhatu idols are rare.
Ashtadhatu idols are made so as to be durable and last years without noticeable decay.
The eight metals are mixed in roughly equal proportions and the idols that are created are initially of rough finish.
A lot of polishing work is done afterwards in polishing and to make ashtadhatu idols beautiful and as natural as possible.
Following idols are crafted out of ashtadhatu :
Lord Kuber
Lord Vishnu
Lord Krishna
Lord Rama
Goddess Durga
Goddess Lakhsmi
Brass Idols
Brass Idols is an alloy of copper and zinc and is extensively used for crafting beautiful idols of Hindu gods and goddesses.
The natural shine and durability of brass makes it the most suitable material for making idols.
The excellent look and resistance to corrosion makes brass an ideal material for making idols. Brass idols also serve as decorative items and gift items.
Brass idols are mostly given a lacquered finish or are metal polished to protect them from oxidation leading to blackening of colour.
The different types of idols of Hindu gods and goddesses crafted out of brass are :
Lord Ganesha
Lord Vishnu
Lord Kuber
Lord Krishna
Lord Hanuman
Goddess Saraswati
Goddess Lakhsmi
Sphatik/Crystal Idols
Sphatik/Crystal IdolsSnow crystal is called Sphatik and it is a transparent, lustrous and smooth stone.
In Indian astrology, Crystal is used as a substitute of diamond to appease the planet Venus.
Crystals are also known as Sphatik.
In India, quartz crystal is called Sphatik.
Crystal idols are ideal as desktop items or for pooja. Sphatik or crystal is widely used for making idols. They control the negative energies surrounding an area, remove bad effects caused due to Vaastu.
There are various types of idols available like :
Lord Ganesha
Lord Shiva
Goddess Lakhsmi
Parad/Mercury Idols
Parad/Mercury IdolsMythologically, Parad or Mercury is said to be the seed (sperm) of Lord Shiva.
Ancient scriptures consider Mercury to be one of the most pure and auspicious of all metals.
Parad is a metalloid (fluid metal) and is known to have medicinal and astrological benefits.
According to the Brahma Purana, any individual, male or female and belonging to any caste, who worships Parad idols every day is blessed with worldly pleasures and at last attains supreme salvation (Moksha).
It is believed that the life of a Parad idol worshiper is full of glory, honor, fame, knowledge, wisdom and a happy successful family life.
Various types of idols of Hindu gods and goddesses made of parad or mercury include :
Lord Shiva
Lord Ganesha
Lord Krishna
Lord Hanuman
Goddess Lakhsmi
Goddess Durga
Lord Nandi
Religious Idols
IdolsIdol-worship seems to have set its roots in Hinduism much before Vedic era began.
The Indian idol is considered as a substitute or symbol.
The statues of God and Goddess are precious for the devotees as they bear the mark of his Lord.
The devotee feels the presence of Lord in the image and it represents holiness and eternal blessings.
Made of various materials, idols are worshiped everywhere – in home, in temples and any other religious place.
Style of Idols
Maratha style : The style dates back to 17th or 18th century and in this style of idol making, blocks of stones are converted into idols.
Hoysala style : The idols crafted out of this style usually highlight sharp features, sophisticated and ornamented artistry and a distinct style.
Tanjore style : Idols crafted out of this represent the traditional Tanjore sculptures.
Jaipur style : In this style, white Makrana marble is carted into roughly-shaped blocks, which is finally shaped into figures of Gods and Goddesses
Hindu God Idols
Hinduism is known for the variety of gods and goddesses, who are worshipped in various forms.
Hinduism is believed to be “apauruseya“, that is of impersonal origin and so are the Gods of Hinduism.
The Hindu gods and goddesses are eternal and though the deities appear to be different and independent, they are really facets of the same Supreme God.
The main Hindu Gods as is accepted today can be broadly classified as Saiva Gods (Siva, his consort, his sons, his other forms), Vaishnava Gods (Vishnu, his consort, his various avatharams).
In Hinduism, many Gods are worshiped and some of them are :
Ashwini Kumaras
Ashwini Kumaras are the twin gods of Hindu mythology.
First physicians/healers of heaven and earth.
The word ‘ashwini’ means horsewoman in Sanskrit, and the word ‘kumara’ denotes eternal youth.
Sanjna (Lord Surya’s wife) was wandering around the Universe in the form of a mare in the absence of her husband. Lord Surya saw through her deception and assumed the form of a horse.
Ashwini Kumaras are a result of this union.
Ashwini Kumaras are associated with the lunar constellation Ashwini, which is related to healing and eternal youth.
They are depicted as twins with the head of a horse, and a human body.
They are regarded as the embodiments of knowledge and speed.
Ashwini Kumaras also represent the fleeting moments between night and dawn (speed), and herald dawn (knowledge).
Lord Agni
Lord Agni is the also known as Agni dev.
He is the young, immortal Lord of fire, and holds the second position in Hindu mythology after Indra.
He was born from a lotus created by Brahma (the Creator in Hindu mythology).
The word ‘agni’ means fire in Sanskrit.
This word also has its roots in the Latin word ‘ignis’, from which the English word ‘ignite’ is derived.
Hindu mythology and Vedic scriptures describe Lord Agni as red hued, having three legs, seven tongues, seven hands, and two faces.
The two faces are suggestive of his beneficient and destructive qualities.
Seven rays of light emanate from his person.
Lord Agni rides a ram, and is the creator of a fire weapon called ‘agneyastra’.
Lord Agni is the guardian of the Southeast direction.
The three mukhi (three-faced) rudraksh bead is the symbol of Lord Agni.
Like fire that burns all impurities, the wearer will be purged of all sins and attain purity of thought and deed.
Lord Ayyappa
Lord Ayyappa is a celibate Hindu god.
Lord Ayyappa is said to have been born out of the union of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu (in His female form ‘Mohini’).
Hence, he is known by other names like Hariharaputra, Hariharasuthan, Ayyappan, Manikanta and so on.
Lord Ayyappa is known for his benevolence.
As an infant, Lord Ayyappa lay on the banks of the river Pampa.
King Rajashekhara, ruler of Pandalam heard his wails.
Since the king had no children, he brought Lord Ayyappa to his palace and adopted him.
As a child, Lord Ayyappa imparted to the king, the principles of attaining Moksha (salvation).
He also instructed the king to construct a temple atop the Sabarimala hill.
After the temple was constructed, Lord Ayyappa entered the sanctum sanctorum and never returned.
He is said to have merged with the Supreme Power.
Lord Ayyappa is worshiped across India, and is the presiding deity of the Sabarimala temple in Kerala (India).
Lord Balaram
Lord Balarama is the son of Devaki and Vasudeva.
He incarnated as the elder brother of Lord Krishna.
He is believed to be the incarnation of Sheshnaga, or the serpent on whom Lord Vishnu rests.
Lord Balarama is described as fair, and wearing blue garments.
His neck is adorned with a garland of forest flowers, and he carries a plough in his hand.
Lord Balarama is also considered to be the ninth incarnation (avatar) of Lord Vishnu.
He is also known by the name Baladeva, and is the best friend of Lord Krishna.
With Lord Jagannath (another form of Lord Krishna), he incarnated as Balabhadra.
He is known for his immense strength.
Lord Balarama denotes eternal truth and knowledge.
Lord Balarama is also worshiped as ‘adiguru’ or Supreme Teacher.
Lord Bhairav
Lord Bhairav Lord Shiva incarnated as Lord Bhairav.
“Bhairava” means terrifying, and Lord Shiva in his fearsome aspect is called Lord Bhairav.
He is pictured with blue or black skin, bulging eyes, and a mustache.
He has a dog as his divine vehicle.
He is usually associated with Tantra.
Worshiping Lord Bhairav bestows victory over enemies, materialistic comforts, and success.
The origin of Lord Bhairav can be traced to the legend of Shiva and Sati.
Sati’s (Lord Shiva’s wife’s) father Daksha slighted Shiva by not inviting him to a yajna which was attended by other gods.
Lord Shiva was enraged when Sati immolated herself in the sacrificial fire.
He killed Daksha, and carried Sati’s lifeless body around the Universe performing the ‘tandava’ dance.
Lord Vishnu realized that the end of the world was near.
He cut Sati’s body with his Sudarsana chakra, and the pieces fell in various parts in and around India.
These places came to be famous as shakti peethas or places of worship of the Mother goddess.
Since then, Lord Shiva protects these temples in the form of Lord Bhairav.
Lord Brahma
Lord BrahmaThe creation of Lord Brahma is stated differently in different legends.
According to Puranas, he is self-born (without mother) in the lotus which grows from the navel of Vishnu at the beginning of the Universe.
According to another legend, Lord Brahma created himself by first creating water.
Lord Brahma is the is the Hindu God of Creation, and is the first of member of the Hindu Trinity or Trimurti, the others being Vishnu and Shiva.
He created the Gods and placed them in different worlds : Agni on earth, Vayu in the atmosphere and Surya in the sky.
Lord Brahma is traditionally depicted with four heads, four faces and four arms.
Each head describes one of the four Vedas.
He is usually depicted with a white beard, to match the near eternal nature of his existence.
One of his hands is depicted holding a scepter in the form of a spoon, which is associated with the pouring of holy Ghee or oil into a sacrificial pyre.
This symbolises that Brahma is the Lord of sacrifices.
The second hand holds a Kamandalu (a water-pot), which signifies that it is the initial, all-encompassing ether in which the first element of creation evolved.
The Lord also holds a string of rosary beads that he uses to keep track of the Universe’s time.
Lord Brahma is represented holding the Vedas, and sometimes, a lotus flower in his fourth hand.
Lord Brahma’s vehicle is a swan (Hans) which is known for its judgment between good and bad.
Lord Brahma’s consort is Goddess Saraswati, the Goddess of knowledge and art.
Lord Buddha
Lord Buddha is considered the ninth avatar (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu. He is the founder of Buddhism.
“Buddha” means ‘enlightened one’.
Lord Buddha was born in 560 B.C. (approximately).
The place of his birth was Lumbini, near the city of Kapilavastu (now in Nepal).
He was born to the royal couple Suddhodana and Maya Devi.
He was named Siddhartha.
He is also known as Gautama Buddha.
Lord Buddha realized very early in life that life is an illusion (Maya).
He renounced the world when he was twenty eight years old even though he was married.
He taught the path of Nirvana (liberation) to his father, wife and son before he left his home forever.
His teachings include ahimsa (non-violence) and dharma (right conduct).
He left the world in 480 B.C. at the age of eighty.
The Mahabodhi Temple (Bodh Gaya, India) was built to honor the place (and the tree) where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment.
Lord Budh
Lord Budh is associated with the planet Mercury.
Lord Budh is also known as Budha, or Grahapati (lord of the planets).
According to Vedic myth, Lord Chandra (the Moon) was overcome with lust on seeing Brihaspati’s (Jupiter’s) wife Tara.
Lord Chandra abducted Tara, and Lord Budha (Mercury) is the result of this unoin.
Thus, it is believed that the intellect (Mercury) is born out of the mind (Moon).
Lord Budha is depicted as having four hands, wearing yellow clothes and ornaments made of yellow flowers.
Mercury is also known as ‘grahapati’ or lord of the planets.
Lord Budha blesses his devotees with wisdom and wealth, and he also removes all evil thoughts.
He is the guardian of the north direction.
Emerald is his gem, and Wednesday is his ruling day.
He rules the zodiac signs Gemini and Virgo.
Lord Chandra
Lord Chandra is also known as Moon.
He is also known as the lord of the stars.
“Chandra” in Sanskrit means ‘bright and shining’.
He is also known as Soma, named after the intoxicating drink of the gods.
Lord Chandra occupies the second position amongst the nine planets or Navagrahas.
He adorns Lord Shiva’s head.
Lord Chandra rules the zodiac sign Cancer.
He also rules over the tides of the sea.
His gems are moonstone and pearl.
Lord Chandra’s ruling day is Monday.
He is the guardian of the northwest direction.
His metal is silver.
Worshiping Lord Chandra is said to provide relief from sorrows and mental afflictions.
Lord Dattatreya
Lord Dattatreya According to Hindu mythology, Lord Dattatreya is believed to be the combined avatar (incarnation) of the Hindu trinity (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva).
Sage Atri prayed to the Hindu trinity, and when they were pleased with his penance, they appeared before him and offered to grant him a boon.
Sage Atri asked for an offspring that would have their benevolent qualities.
Thus, Lord Dattatreya was born.
Lord Dattatreya is depicted as having three heads, symbolizing the past, present, and future.
His three heads also symbolize the three states of consciousness.
He is pictured with four dogs around him, which represent the four Vedas and his mastery over them.
Lord Dattatreya is considered the teacher of all gods.
He dispels all evil influences.
Lord Dhanvantri
iLord Dhanvantri is the discoverer of Ayurveda, and is considered the physician of the gods (like the Ashwini Kumaras).
According to Hindu mythology, Lord Dhanvantri appeared while the primeval ocean was being churned.
He brought with him the knowledge of long life, health, and medicine.
When the primeval ocean was being churned for the Nectar of Immortality, 14 gems were produced, and Lord Dhanvantari is considered one amongst them.
Lord Dhanvantari destroys negativity and blesses his devotees with good health. He is also known by the name Sudhapani, since he appeared with the pot of Nectar in his hands.
The day of his appearance is celebrated on the thirteenth day or ‘trayodasi’ when the moon is in its waxing phase.
This day is celebrated every year, a few days before Diwali/Deepavali (the festival of lights).
Lord Ganesha
Lord Ganesha In Hinduism, Lord Ganesha is one of the most well-known and venerated god. Ganesha is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati with an elephantine countenance with a curved trunk, big ears and a plump belly.
‘Ga’ symbolizes Buddhi (intellect) and ‘Na’ symbolizes Vidnyana (wisdom).
Therefore, Ganesha is considered the master of intellect and wisdom.
Lord Ganesha rides on or is attended by a mouse.
He is most commonly represented sitting down, with one leg raised in the air and bent over the other.
He is regarded as the Lord of success, wisdom prosperity and the destroyer of evils and obstacles. Lord Ganesha is invoked at the beginning of any journey, wedding ceremony and enterprise.
The consort of Ganesha is Riddhi (material abundance) and Siddhi (intellectual and spiritual power).
Ganesha idols are crafted out of various materials including :
Stone
Wood
Ashtadhatu
Brass
Sphatik/Crystal
Parad/Mercury
The height and weight of Ganesha idols vary depending on the materials used for making them.
There are various styles of Ganesha idols including :
Deepak Ganesha Idol : In this type of idol, Lord Ganesha is represented as wearing a crown.
The base of the idol has five cups or diyas where oil lamps can be lit.
These idols are mainly made of brass and look very beautiful with an antique finish.
Panchmukha Ganesha Idol : Panchmukhi means having five faces.
In some ancient scriptures, Ganesha is depicted as having five heads.
This type of Ganesha idol is very popular in South India and is mainly worshipped for good luck and prosperity.
These idols are also carved in brass.
Jhoola Lakshmi Ganesha Idol : This type of idol is mainly crafted in brass, sphatik and parad and depicts Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi together in a jhoola (swing).
The idol of Lakshmi Ganesha is worshipped on Diwali nights.
Lakshmi is regarded as the Goddess of wealth and Ganesha is regarded as the Lord of prosperity and good luck.
The idol of Lakshmi Ganesha looks antique and also serves as an excellent gift item on Diwali and other festivals.
Lord Garuda
Lord GarudaIn Hindu mythology, Lord Garuda is one of the principal animal deities. He is the son of the sage Kashyap and Vinita (Daksha’s daughter). He is also known as the King of Birds. Lord Garuda is the divine carrier/vehicle of Lord Vishnu. His speed of flight mocks the wind. Lord Garuda is also considered the destroyer of all obstacles.
Lord Garuda is pictured as having a head and wings of an eagle while his body belongs to that of man.
He has a white head, red wings, and a golden body.
He was born with extreme hatred for evil, and it is believed that he wanders around the Universe devouring evil-doers.
His hatred for snakes is also well known.
Lord Garuda is always worshiped along with Lord Vishnu, and never as a separate deity.
Lord Guru
Lord GuruLord Guru is the planet of Jupiter.
He is also known as Brihaspati and Devagura.
Lord Guru is the preceptor of Indra (king of the gods), and is the most auspicious of planets.
According to the Shiva Purana, Lord Guru is the son of sage Angirasa and Surupa.
He has three wives, namely Shuba, Tara, and Mamata.
The color of Lord Guru is yellow, and he also wears yellow robes.
Lord Guru blesses his devotees with strength, knowledge, longevity, and progeny.
He cures ailments of the stomach and wards off sins.
Lord Guru is also benevolent, and a dispenser of justice.
His metal is gold, and his gem is yellow topaz/yellow sapphire.
His day is Thursday.
Lord Guru is the guardian of the north-east direction.
Lord Hanuman
Lord HanumanLord Hanuman is one of the incarnations of Lord Shiva.
He is depicted as a monkey and is known for his bravery, heroic deeds and eternal devotee of Lord Rama.
The idol of Lord Hanuman represents him holding a Gada (mace), which reflects courage and bravery along with a picture of Lord Rama tattooed on his chest, which symbolizes his eternal devotion.
Lord Hanuman has many names like “Mahaveera” (the great hero ), “Pavan-suta” (Son of Air), “Bajarangbali” (one with unlimited power).
The worshiper of Lord Hanuman is always blessed with pure and unselfish devotion.
Hanuman Idol is the provider of hope, knowledge, fearlessness, intellect and is a symbol of endless devotion.
He is the greatest devotee of Lord Rama and has been given a boon to be worshipped through all the “Yugas” (Eras) of Hindu time scale.
The idol of Lord Hanuman is usually made of :
Stone
Brass
Parad
The idols of Lord Hanuman come in different height, weight and base length.
These parameters depend on the type of material used for making the idol.
Lord Indra
Lord IndraIndra is the chief god of Rig Veda. Indra is the leader of Devas.
Lord Indra is the god of war, storms and thunder, he is strongest of all beings and greatest of all warriors.
Lord Indra has been the protector of Gods and mankind against the evil forces.
Possessing the celestial weapon Vajra, the lightning bolt, Lord Indra is known as the God of thunder.
He also has a bow, a hook and a net in the battle.
Lord Indra is also considered as the creator, since he is the one who brought water to earth, he is known as the fertility god as well.
Lord Indra is also believed to have the power to revive slain warriors who had fallen in battle.
He enjoys drinking soma.
Lord Indra is very handsome, he is the eldest son of Kasyapa and Aditi.
His vahana-vehicle is a white colored elephant called Eravat.
Lord Jagannath
Lord JagannathLord Jagannath is the Lord of the world.
The word Jagannath literally means lord of the universe.
Lord Jagannath is the symbol of universal love and brotherhood.
Jagannath is particular form of Lord Vishnu, or more accurately that of Lord Krishna.
The image of Lord Jagannath has no legs just has stump of hands.
The idol is black in color.
Lord Jagannath is worshiped along with his brother Balabhadra and sister Suvadra.
Lord Balabhadra is the elder brother, Lord Jagannath is younger brother and Devi Suvadra is younger sister.
Puri, in Orissa is considered the real abode of Lord Jagannath.
It is believed that Lord Jagannath symbolizes cosmic zero and that Lord is omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient.
The Jagannath cult has people of all religion and faith.
Lord Kalki
Lord KalkiAccording to Hindu mythology Lord Kalki is the tenth and final re-incarnation of Lord Vishnu who is not yet born.
Lord Kalki is the protector of good.
It is a strong belief according to Hindu myhthology that Lord Kalki takes birth in this planet in Kalyug {time after death of Lord Krishna around 3000bc}.
Klayug is believed to be a time of wars, deciet, and peaceless attrocities.
It is said that it is this time that Lord will reincarnate himself as Kalki and save the world from pain and troubles.
The Kalki temple in Jaipur is the only temple that is built in the name of an incarnation who is not yet born.
Kalki actually means born of time.
It is believed that Lord Kalki will come in a white horse with a shining sword in his hand and will protect mankind from the chaos and evils of kalyug.
Lord Kamdev
Lord KamdevLord Kamdev is the Hindu god of love.
Kamdev is symbolized as a young and good looking man with wings who possesses bow and arrows.
According to Shivpuran, Kamdev is a son meaning a creation of Bramha, creator of the universe.
According to Hindu mythology Kamdeva is a brother of Prasuti, they both are children of Shatarupa, also a creation of Bramha.
Lord Kamdev’s bow is made of sugarcane with honeybees sitting on it.
The arrows are beautifully decorated with five kinds of sweet smelling flowers.
The string of the bow is made of a chain of honeybees.
Parrot, cuckoo and humming bees are his companions.
Lord Kartikeya
Lord KartikeyaKartikeya is the second son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati or Shakti.
He is known by many names like, Skanda, Subramaniam, Shadanana, Guha, Sanmukha meaning having six faces.
Lord Kartikeya symbolizes a person of perfection.
He is the war God and was created by all the Gods to bring an end to the demons.
Lord Kartikeya is very masculine and fierce.
He is also regarded as fire and is very fiery in nature.
The Lord has a spear in his hand called Sakti which represents the destruction of evil and with his other hand he is found blessing his devotees.
In south India Lord Kartikeya is very popular and is known as Murugan.
Lord Kartikeya’s vehicle or Vahana is a peacock that has the capacity of killing serpents [representing ego and desires of people] by gripping in his feet.
Thus the peacock represents the destroyer of harmful and sensual desires of humans.
Lord Krishna
Lord Krishna According to various Hindu traditions, Lord Krishna is regarded as the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu.
He is known for his bravery in destroying evil powers throughout his life.
Lord Krishna is worshiped by Hindus all across the world.
In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna is seen as the Supreme Person and the highest God.
The Lord is usually depicted as playing the flute (Murali), which symbolizes spreading the melody of love to people.
In most of his idols, Lord Krishna is also represented with his childhood devotee Radha.
The Lord is usually remembered and worshipped as Radha-Krishna.
The pair symbolizes the eternal love between people and god.
Lord Krishna is also shown with his pet cow, his childhood favorite.
Lord Krishna performed many divine sports (leela) during his childhood.
Different types of materials used for crafting the idol of Lord Krishna include :
Ashtadhatu
Stone
Brass
Parad
The height and weight of these idols varies on the basis of the material used for carving them.
The idols of Shree Krishna are available in various styles and postures.
Some of the common styles are :
Radha Krishna Jhoola Idol
This is a very lovely idol, usually crafted in brass that depicts Lord Krishna and his beloved Radha together in a Jhoola (swing).
This type of idol reflects a unique example of love and devotion.
Baby Krishna Idol
This type of idol depicts child Krishna childhood who is known for his naughtiness and mischievous acts. In his childhood, Lord Krishna was known as Makhan Chor, the one who used to steal butter from cowherd damsels in his neighbourhood.
Ladoo Gopal Idol
Lord Krishna was lovingly called “Ladoo Gopal” in his childhood.
This type of idol of Lord Krishna depicts the childhood with the Lord holding a ladoo that symbolizes happiness and joy to the world.
Lord Kuber
Lord KuberLord Kuber, also known as Kuvera is considered as the actual God of wealth, money and success in Indian mythology.
He is the Lord of all treasures and the god’s treasurer.
Kuber is also known as the God of Yakshas (savage beings).
Kuber is the actual Lord of Riches in the Indian pantheon (Lakshmi being the goddess of fortune of which money is a great part).
Kuber is worshipped as a God who protects and conserves wealth in a family.
It is believed that worshiping Kuber idol regularly along with Kuber yantra ensures fast results and blesses the natives with prosperity, wealth and goodluck.
He is the basis of gain of unlimited wealth and prosperity.
According to ancient vedic books of Ramayana, Kuber made the Gold Lanka, which was taken by his brother Ravana.
All ancient texts encourage the use of Kuber Sadhana for the gain of wealth.
It is said that Lord Kuber blesses the Sadhak with material success and wealth.
Our Vedas and ancient texts encourage the use of Kuber sadhana for the gain of wealth.
It is believed that there are three main benefits form Kuber Sadhana.
Firstly, when Lord Kuber is pleased, he blesses the devotee with material success and wealth. Secondly, there are increased chances of getting wealth unexpectedly and suddenly.
Thirdly, no matter how much one spends money keeps flowing in, provided the wealth is used for constructive purposes and not for destructive or antisocial activities Kuber Sadhana is short and simple but its effects are amazing if one tries it with true belief and faith.
Lord Kubera idol is usually made of :
Astadhatu
Brass
Stone
Lord Kurma
Lord KurmaLord Kurma or Koorm is the second incarnation of Lord Vishnu in the form of a Tortoise. According to the legend it is believed that mountain Mandara was used as a churning stick and it began to sink in the sea bed.
This crisis made Lord Vishnu assume the form of a tortoise.
Then Lord dived into the bottom of the sea and his back served as the pivot for the churning stick.
The incarnation in the form of Kurma symbolizes the development of life.
This is so because when the ability to breathe air and walk out of water developed hence the turtle became the symbol of perseverance.
Lord Laxman
Lord Laxman is the younger brother of Lord Rama. His performance of duties as a younger brother is that of sacrifice and superior character, such duties are actually difficult to perform.
Lord Laxmana was very dedicated and loyal to his elder brother Lord Rama.
In comparison to Lord Rama, Laxmana is shot tempered.
But Laxmana is also considered as a vital element of Mariyada Purushottam, as he had displayed presence of mind and courage when Rama had become desperate and angry over the loss of Sita.
In such a situation Laxmana had displayed a matured behavior and had calmed Lord Rama.
Lord Laxmana’s life is a symbol of duties performed by a man towards his elders and also depicts the nature of selflessness in a man’s character.
Lord Mangal
Lord Mangal (Mars) is one of the nine planets or navagrahas.
He is also known by the names Angaraka and Kuja.
According to Vedic mythology, Lord Mangal is born of Sarva and Vikesi (Earth goddess).
He is associated with strength, valor, and courage.
Lord Mangal is the protector of dharma (righteousness), and the purpose of life.
Lord Mangal has four hands, and carries a trident and mace as weapons.
He wears red ornaments. Worshiping Lord Mangal frees one from skin illnesses, debts, and poverty.
The gemstone of Lord Mangal is the red coral, and his day is Tuesday.
He is the guardian of the south direction.
Lord Rama
Lord Rama is one of the most commonly adored gods of Hindus and is known as an ideal man and hero of the epic Ramayana.
He is one of the most popular heroes of Hindu mythology and folktales in South and Southeast Asia.
Lord Rama is always represented holding a bow and arrow indicating his readiness to destroy evils.
He is also called “Shri Rama” and is regarded as the most famous incarnation Lord Vishnu.
More commonly he is pictured in a family style, (Ram Parivar) with his wife Sita, brother Lakshman and devotee Hanuman who is sitting near Lord Rama’s feet.
Ram Darbar
Ram Darbar constitutes of Lord Rama, Goddess Sita, his wife, Lord Lakshman, his younger brother and his ardent devotee – Lord Hanuman.
Lord Rama is regarded as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu as a great King. Sita is his eternal consort and an incarnation of Lakshmi.
The idol of Lord Rama is usually made of :
Ashtadhatu
Stone
The height and weight of idols of Lord Rama varies according to the material used for crafting these idols.
Lord Shani
Lord Shani is one of the navagrahas (nine planets).
He is also referred to as Saturn. He is also known as Shaneeshwara, Shani Bhagawan, Saneeswaran, Lord Sani and so on.
Lord Shani is the son of Lord Surya (the sun god).
According to Hindu mythology, after Sanjana (daughter of Lord Vishwakarma) married Lord Surya, she found the power of his rays hard to bear.
After giving birth to three children, she decided to leave for her parents’ place.
Before she left, she created a woman from her own shadow and named her Chayadevi.
Lord Shani is the result of the union between Lord Surya and Chhayadevi (also known as Chhaya).
When Lord Shani was born, the sun went into an eclipse.
Lord Shani is said to be the enemy of light. He is associated with the color black.
The crow is Lord Shani’s vehicle.
His gems are the blue sapphire (neelam), and all black gems.
His metal is lead, and he is the lord of Saturday.
Lord Sheshnag
Lord Sheshnag is depicted is the divine serpent with a thousand heads.
According to Hindu mythology, the world rests on the hoods of Lord Sheshnaga, and when he shakes his head, there are earthquakes.
He is also known as Ananta (eternal) since he is immortal and is not affected by death even during the destruction of the Universe.
Lord Vishnu reclines on the coils of Lord Sheshnag in the Ksheersagar, or the Ocean of Milk.
Lord Sheshnag is also considered to be the soul of Lord Vishnu when he incarnated as Lord Balaram.
Lord Shiva
Lord Shiva is one of the main Deities of Hinduism.
He is the Supreme God in Shaivism, one of the major branches of Hinduism practiced in India.
Lord Shiva is worshipped as the paramount lord by the Saivite sect of India.
He is considered as the destroyer and the restorer, the great ascetic and the symbol of sensuality.
Lord Shiva is a part of the trinity or trimurti of Hindu gods.
Even though he represents destruction, Lord Shiva is viewed as a positive force (the Destroyer of Evil). According to Shaivism, Shiva is not merely a destroyer but performs five functions :
Creator Preserver
Destroyer
Hiding the sins
Blessing
Lord Shiva is usually represented by the Shiva linga (or lingam), which is depicted by a clay mound with three horizontal stripes on it, or visualised as a blazing pillar.
God Shiva is known by various names.
One of his names is Bholenath, which means the innocent God.
Shiva as Rudra is regarded as the destroyer of evil and sorrow.
Shiva as Shankara is known as the doer of good.
Lord Shiva has “Trinetra” (divine vision). He is also known as “Nilakantha” (blue necked).
This is because of the fact that he consumed the poison ‘Halahala’ to save the world from destruction.
Lord Shiva as Nataraja represents the Divine Cosmic Dancer.
Shiva is also known as Ardh narishvara, which symbolises both man and woman.
Lord Shiva idols are crafted out of various materials like :
Stone
Wood
Ashtadhatu
Sphatik/Crystal
Parad/Mercury
The height and weight of Shiva Idols are variable and depends on the material used for making the idol.
Idols of Lord Shiva are available in following style :
Shiva Parivar
Shiva Parivar is a combination of 5 statues comprising the family of Lord Shiva.
It includes Lord Shiva(in the form of shivlinga), Goddess Parvati, their two sons – Ganesha and Kartikeya and Shiva’s vehicle – the Nandi Bull.
It is said that the regular worship of Shiva Parivar results in prosperity and good health.
The idol of Shiva Parivar is usually available in Sphatik and Parad.
Lord Shukra
Lord Shukra is a part of the nine planets (navagrahas).
He is the planet Venus.
According to Hindu scriptures, he is born from the union of Sage Bhrigu and his wife Ushana (also known as Usha).
Lord Shukra is blessed by Lord Brahma (the Cosmic Creator), he showers his devotees with abundance.
Lord Shukra is pictured as a fair god.
He has four hands, and is seated on a white lotus.
He rides a chariot driven by eight horses. Lord Shukra is also known as Shukracharya.
He bestows prosperity, wealth, knowledge, and happiness. Diamond is the gem of Lord Shukra.
His metals are copper and silver.
His ruling day is Friday, and he is the guardian of the south-east direction.
Lord Skanda
Lord SkandaLord Skanda is the spiritual son of Lord Shiva.
He is also known as Kartikeya or Murugan Skanda. Lord Skanda has six faces and twelve arms.
This avtar of Lord was granted by Lord Shiva to protect the Gods from the Demons.
This great son of Lord Shiva became the leader of the celestial forces.
The battle was won by the Gods under the able guidance of Lord Skanda.
The spiritual significance of Lord Skanda is the supremity of supreme efficacy, sincere prayer and self surrender.
Lord Surya
Lord Surya is the ruler of all planets that rotate around him.
Lord Surya is also known by other names like Savitar, Aditya, and Ravi.
He is the son of Sage Kashyap and Aditi.
He is described as Jagat Chakshu (Eye of the World), and Aharpati (Lord of the Day).
The sun’s rays nourish and nurture life and living beings.
Hence, he is described as ‘Pranadata’ or life-giver.
Lord Surya is the guardian of the east. He blesses his devotees with good health, fame, and prosperity. His ruling day is Sunday.
His gemstone is the red ruby, and gold is his metal.
The chariot of Lord Surya has only one wheel.
It is drawn by seven horses corresponding to the colors of the rainbow.
The charioteer of Lord Surya is Aruna, Lord Garuda’s brother.
Lord Varaha
Lord VarahaThe third avtar of Lord Vishnu is known as Lord Varaha.
This avtar is in the form of a boar who was sent to defeat Hiranyaksha, a demon who had carried the Earth to the bottom of the cosmic ocean.
The battle is believed to take place for thousands of years and Lord Varaha won the battle.
Lord Varaha has the face of a boar and a man’s body.
The avtar depicts the reconstruction of the Earth from a deluge and the establishment of a new cycle.
Lord Vishnu married Bhudevi [Prithvi] in this avtar.
Lord Vayu
Lord Vayu is the god of wind.
He belongs to the Cosmic Trinity or Hindu Triad (Sun, Fire, Air), and constitutes one of the five elements of the Universe, i.e. earth, air, water, fire, and space.
Lord Vayu is said to have been born from the breath or life force of the Supreme Being.
Lord Vayu is also described as ‘satata-ga’ (ever moving), ‘pavana’ (wind), and ‘gandha-vaha’ (the perfume bearer).
Lord Vayu is considered the king of the Gandharvas (spirits of the atmosphere/sky).
He is said to be fierce and fast.
He roams all over the earth, and heavens.
Lord Vayu is also amorous and has a rash nature.
He is said to have blown the top of the mythical Mount Meru which fell into the sea, and is the present day Lanka (Ceylon).
Lord Vayu is the father of Lord Hanuman.
He is the guardian of the north-west direction.
Lord Vishnu
Lord Vishnu is regarded as a major god in Hinduism and Indian mythology.
He is considered as the Preserver of the universe and is the member of the Trinity of Gods in Hinduism.
The idol of Lord Vishnu is represented as the God having four hands.
The first hand holds a conch shell (sankha) indicating spread of the divine sound “Om“; the second hand holds a discus (chakra), which symbolises the wheel of time; the third one holds a lotus (Padma) which is an example of glorious existence and the fourth hand holds a mace (Gada) indicating the power and the punishing capacity of the Lord in case the discipline of life is ignored.
His vehicle is the swift-flying bird Garuda, which is capable of spreading Vedic knowledge with great courage.
The consort of Lord Vishnu is Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth.
According to Hindu Mythology, Lord Vishnu is represented in two postures.
In one, the God rests on the bed of the powerful, coiled serpent, Sheshnag, who represents the sleeping universe.
In another form, Lord is depicted in a standing posture.
Lord Vishnu is also known as Hari, the Remover.
Lord Vishnu is most popularly identified with his Avatars (incarnations) especially Krishna and Rama.
He is also frequently referred to as Narayana.
Vaishnavite Hindus also worship Vishnu in an abstract form (i.e., God with vague form) as a Shaligrama stone.
Worshiping the Shaligrama is similar to the worship of Lingam, a form of Shiva.
The idol of Lord Vishnu is usually made of the following materials :
Ashtadhatu
Brass
Stone
Parad/Mercury
The height and weight of Lord Shiva idols varies depending on the type of material used for making the idol.
Lord Vishwakarma
Lord Vishwakarma is known as the lord of craftsmen.
Hindus worship Lord Vishwakarma as the god of engineering and architecture.
He is the presiding deity of goldsmiths, blacksmiths, carpenters, masons, and all people who possess craft skills. Lord Vishwakarma is the son of Lord Brahma, the Cosmic Creator.
Lord Vishwakarma is pictured with four hands.
He carries a book, a vessel, a noose, and craftsmen’s tools.
He is the personification of all creative power.
All chariots, and divine weapons of the gods are created by Lord Vishwakarma.
He built Dwarka, Yamapuri, and Lanka.
He is also said to have created the image of Lord Jagannath and left it incomplete due to interruption.
Lord Yama
Lord Yama or Yamraj, is the god of death. He is the son of Lord Surya and Sanjana.
‘Yama’ means twin, and this can be attributed to Hindu mythology where he is depicted as the twin brother of Yami (Yamuna).
However, ‘Yama’ also means ‘the restrainer’.
So it is Lord Yama who restrains humankind.
Lord Yama is the god of hell.
Lord Yama is shown with a grim appearance with a glittering crown on his head. He carries a mace in one hand, and a rope in the other.
He uses the rope to pull the soul from the lifeless body.
He is also considered as the Lord of Justice, a judge of the dead.
According to the karma of the soul, he decide whether to give punishment, and the nature of punishment.
Lord Yama rides a black water buffalo.
He is the guardian of the south direction.
Planet Ketu
Planet Ketu is the imaginary headless planet which represents spirituality.
It is the south node of the moon.
According to the Puranas, after the primeval ocean was churned, Lord Dhanvantri appeared with a pot of Nectar.
This was the Nectar of Immortality.
Lord Vishnu was distributing this nectar amongst the gods, when the celestial serpent demon Rahu mingled amidst the gods so he could drink the Nectar of Immortality (Amrita).
The sun and moon gods (Surya and Chandra) saw through his deception and notified Lord Vishnu.
Lord Vishnu cut off Rahu’s head in a fit of rage, but Rahu had already drunk the Nectar and was immortalized.
Thus, his immortal head was severed from the immortal body/tail.
Rahu and Ketu are the severed head and tail of the same demon.
The immortal tail is known as Ketu or dragon tail.
Ketu causes lunar eclipse.
The gem of Ketu is Cat’s eye.
Planet Rahu
Planet Rahu is the imaginary planet, the north node of the moon.
According to the Puranas, when the Ocean of Milk was churned, the Nectar of Immortality was produced.
While Lord Vishnu was distributing this nectar amongst the gods, the celestial serpent demon Rahu mingled amidst the gods so that he could taste the nectar and attain immortality (Amrita).
The sun and moon gods (Surya and Chandra) saw through Rahu’s deception.
When they notified Lord Vishnu, he (Vishnu) cut off Rahu’s head in a fit of rage, but Rahu had already drunk the Nectar and was immortalized.
Rahu now refers to the head of the demon.
It is also known as ‘dragon head’.
It is the planet of success.
Rahu is associated with the strengthening of personal power.
The gemstone of Rahu is hessonite.
Rahu causes solar eclipse.
Rahu and Ketu are two parts of the same demon.
Hindu Goddess Idols
Hindu Goddess Idols Hinduism is known for the variety of gods and goddesses, who are worshipped in various forms.
All Hindu Gods and Goddesses are the same Supreme God or divine energy, nameless and without form.
God in the feminine form is regarded as the goddess, the Divine Mother in Hinduism.
In Hinduism, many Goddesses are worshiped and some of them are :
Devi Kurukulla
Devi Kurukulla is compared to goddess Tara, where Kurukulla in her red avtaar exercises her powers of enchantment and bewitchment to control the evil spirits, demons, and humans who work against the humanity and its spiritual evolution.
While if talking in terms of practical magic, then she can bring anything imaginable under the practitioner’s power.
She has the power to subjugate the demonic forces.
In Tibet, she is worshiped whenever starting a new project for her blessings.
Along with goddesses Manjushri and Sarasvati, she is worshiped by students to get blessings.
As per mythology, Kurukulla is sixteen years old since sixteen is considered an ideal number signifying perfection, four times four.
She is depicted naked as unconditioned by destructive thoughts.
The garland made of human bones adorns her persona. She signifies the sixth perfection.
Like Kali, she is also shown in a dancing pose upon a male corpse, thus, signifying her active and energetic & compassionate activity highlighted in both Samsara and Nirvana.
Goddess Aditi
Goddess Aditi, the Hindu great Goddess, is considered the Goddess of Sun. Her attribute is her motherhood.
She represents the wide horizon.
She is the free-spirited goddess andas per the Vedas, she was once all-encompassing.
She was known as the goddess of the past and the future, the life cycle, the seven dimensions of the cosmos, the celestial light which permeates all things, and the consciousness of all living things.
Later, she was known for giving birth to the Adityas.
Though she is also said to have given birth to the twelve zodiacal spirits.
She is even known as the consort of Brahma.
She is symbolized through the form of a cow as well.
Eventually, Aditi was degraded as a guardian goddess who helped her worshipers find a smooth path to what they were looking for.
Goddess Bhavani
Goddess Bhavani in Hindu mythology is considered as a ferocious goddess Shakti or Devi.
She connotes “giver of life”, nature’s power as well the source of creative energy.
She is even known by Karunaswaroopini, meaning “filled with mercy”.
The other names by which is known are Tulaja, Turaja, Tvarita and Amba.
She was the tutelary deity of the Maratha leader, Shivaji.
Due to this, she is worshiped in high reverence throughout Maharashtra.
Legend says that the goddess slained the notorious demon, Mahishasura who had wrecked havoc upon the devas & the humans.
The other legend suggests that a demon camouflaged himself in the form of a wild buffalo, known as Mahisha, & took abode on the Yamunachala hill.
The goddess slained the demon to reestablish peace &, thus, a temple devoted to her was built on the hill.
Goddess Chomolungma
Goddess Chomolungma goddess is the name given to Mt.
Everest, where she is supposed to inhabit.
She is one of five sisters associated with mountains situated above sacred lakes, along the Nepal/Tibet frontier.
As per the legend, Chomolungma or Miyolangsangma is a part of a group of wrathful Bon deities, the srungma.
She was subdued by the evangelising zeal of Guru Rinpoche to act as a servant of Buddhism.
Ever since, she has become the symbol of a generous benefactor.
The Sherpas on Everest ritually pay their homage to the goddess in order to keep on her good side since anything offensive may such as morally questionable behaviour can provoke her wrath.
Even in the past, she was seen as the deity of a wealth-giver & thus, she still holds that same position in the region.
Goddess Devi
Goddess Devi is a Sanskrit word meaning Goddess which is synonymous with Shakti, the female aspect of divinity. In the Shakta tradition, she is seen as the driving force without which the male aspect is considered impotent.
She is even known by many names in the of the Hindu culture.
The Divine Mother has forms like that of the warrior Durga and the bloodthirsty Kali.
She at the same time can be gentle as Parvati or mother of the elephant god Ganesha.
She is the better half of Shiva, i.e. Parvati. Devi is considered to be the “Mother Goddess”, thus, meaning the mother of all.
Her right hand interprets joy and pain while the left hand means life and death.
She is seen as the god of nature and life since she brings rain and is a savior as from death.
She is even worshiped for her mild and loving nature.
She could be terrible as a Mother of Death.
Her divine vehicle is either lion or tiger whenever she is fighting the evil.
In a nutshell, she is the goddess of creative power and represents all women in the universe.
Goddess Durga
Goddess Durga Parvati is the Shakti (power) and consort of Lord Shiva, the god of disintegration and destruction.
A majority of goddesses of Hinduism are aspects and variations of Parvati.
She is known by different names like Uma, Gauri, Kali, Durga, Haimavati etc.
Like her consort Shiva, Parvati also has two aspects, the mild and the terrible.
There are three major aspects of Devi Parvati or Shakti Durga, Kali and Lalita.
Durga and Kali represent the aspects of power of the goddess and Lalita represents the aspect of beauty.
Goddess Durga is the most widely worshipped aspect of Shakti.
The goddess is the reflection and manifestation of supreme beauty and deadly power and her name is synonymous with the victory of good over evil.
The goddess represents the total personification power of gods.
The word “Durga” literally means one who is difficult to approach or difficult to know.
Being the mother of the Universe, she is the personification of tender love and possesses different forms and aspects.
Goddess Durga is the mysterious power with the combination of both pleasant and terrible nature.
She is the personification of knowledge, wisdom and memory and is worshiped for wealth and prosperity.
According to legends, the Gods could not defeat a buffalo-demon called “Mahisha” who could take any form.
Lord Shiva advised all gods to release their “Shakti” (power) and from the combined force emerged a magnificent, many armed goddess called Devi Durga.
She is called the invincible one and she defeated the demon “Mahisha” and thus saved the Universe from destruction.
The Goddess is usually depicted with eight or ten arms, each holding conch, discus, trident, bow, arrow, sword, dagger, shield, rosary, wine cup and bell.
It is said that each of these weapons were given to the goddess for defeating the buffalo-demon.
The Goddess may be shown as standing on a lotus or on a buffalo head or as riding a lion.
The idol of Devi Durga are usually crafted out of materials like :
Stone
Ashtadhatu
Wood
Parad
Brass
The height and weight of idols of Goddess Durga depends greatly on the material used for making the idol.
Goddess Indrani
Goddess Indrani, as the name goes, was Indra’s wife & was the queen of Gods. As per the early Vedic accounts, she was merely a female shadow of him.
Sometimes referred to as the goddess of wrath, Indrani was the daughter of a demon called Puloman later killed by Indra.
She was the epitome of beauty with one thousand eyes. While according to the later Hindu interpretations, she started personifying jealousy & evil intent.
She was ranked as one of the nine astral deities who were the highest of the gods in south.
The divine vehicle for the goddess was either the lion or the elephant.
As per the Rig Veda, she is considered to be the most fortunate female as her husband was granted immortality.
According to The Taittiriya Brahmana, Indra chose her as his wife from a number of competing goddesses simply because of her magnetic voluptuous attractions.
Though, she has never been held in very high esteem as a goddess.
Indrani is known as Sachi and Aindri as well.
Goddess Kadru
Kadru in mythology is the daughter of Daksha, while the wife of Kashyapa.
As per the Adi Parva in Mahabharata, she is considered to be the mother of the Nagas.
While, according to the Ramayana, it is the other way round where she is the daughter of Kasyapa and Krodhavasa, who is another daughter of Daksha.
Thus, she might be seen as Daksha’s grand daughter as well.
The key point about this goddess is her being a mother of “a thousand powerful many-headed serpents, the chief amongst whom were Sesha, Vasuki and many other fierce and venomous serpents.”
It is considered twelve according to the Vishnu Purana while forty as per the Vayu Purana.
Her offspring bear the metronymic Kadraveya.
Goddess Kali
Goddess Kali or “the black one” is the goddess symbolizing dissolution and destruction in Hindu mythology.
She is the destroyer of ignorance who maintains the world order while blesses and frees all those who are seeking knowledge of God.
Her name is associated with Agni, according to Vedas, who is the god of fire & is known for seven flickering tongues of flame.
Out of these, Kali was the black, horrible tongue.
This is considered to be the origin for the name “Kali“, who is the grim consort of Shiva. When talking about her appearance, then her fearsome baleful eyes, protruding tongue, and four arms along with a bloody sword in her upper left hand & a severed head in her lower left hand, makes it the most fearful picture.
She makes the gesture of fearlessness through her upper left hand while the lower right hand confers benefits. She is always found draped with a chain of severed human heads & a belt of dismembered arms gives a frightening look to her persona.
She is often shown in a dancing mode or in sexual union with Shiva.
And she stands upon the supine from her husband to depict her Bhavatarini image, i.e. the redeemer of the universe.
Kali is known by names like Kalikamata (“black earth-mother”) and Kalaratri (“black night”) as well.
Goddess Kauri
Kauri is considered as the avatar of the goddess Sere.
She is worshiped as the Avatar of the Shadow as well.
Seen as the protector of the dark hours, she even represents illusions, deception & shadows.
She always left a series of legacy wherever she would take birth as a human by the name of Kauri Savina.
Her life suggests two phases, as a humble healer of the Divine Muse later replaced by the position of High Priestess.
But then she became the powerful Avatar of the Shadows and the Angel of Darkness.
She is known by many names like Kauri Savina, Angel of the Mists, Child Thief, Flayer of Minds, Seer of the Eternity’s Eye.
She could hear spoken words within the shadows as per some belief.
One might lose his tongue if he talks ill about the deity.
Kauri seldom makes an appearance without inciting some form of chaos.
While one is even blessed by the goddess if he walks in the Shadows, thus, getting the strength to fight all the odds
Goddess Kundalini
Goddess Kundalini is actually a Sanskrit word which means either “coiled up” or “coiling like a snake”.
It emphasizes a more serpentine nature to the word, the ‘serpent power’.
The symbolic coiling snakes is an ancient symbolic representation of Kundalini physiology.
The symbol, however, is believed to have originated from Hermes and Greek mythology.
Legend says that when the Goddess traveled up the spine just to meet her Divine Mate, that has been seen as the consummated union of Spirit and Matter.
She is known as the Goddess Shakti.
Mythological interpretation of the goddess says that whenever the Shakti is awakened, she sweeps us up in her wildest passion to reunite with her Lord Shiva in the crown chakra.
This Mystical Marriage metaphorically symbolizes the combining of the male and female energies within our bodies which gives birth to our multidimensional consciousness.
The procedure helps the soul in living its divine purpose through the human beings.
Goddess Kundalini cannot be remembered for curiosity or selfish reasons.
The ego of mankind cannot survive the serpent’s wrath of the goddess whose force is fifth dimensional.
The goddess has been compared to a forest fire which burns up a huge forest to ashes.
Another comparison has been made to a submarine fire which rises up in the ocean as fire and renders the ocean totally devoid of water.
It can lead to an earthquake when the central fire of land erupts.
Goddess Lakshmi
Goddess Lakshmi is regarded as the Goddess of wealth and good fortune in Hinduism. She is the consort of Lord Vishnu and is said to have taken different forms in order to be with him in each of his incarnations.
Thus when he was the dwarf Vamana, she appeared from a lotus and was known as Padma, or Kamala; when he was the ax-wielding Parasurama the destroyer of the warrior caste, she was his wife Dharani; when he was King Rama, she was his queen Sita.
The idol of Goddess Lakshmi is often represented as seated on a lotus, sometimes being anointed by a pair of elephants.
White owl is the vehicle of Goddess Lakshmi. The Goddess is worshiped by all Hindu for wealth and prosperity.
It is said that the Goddess blesses the worshiper with wealth, prosperity and harmony in his life.
The idol of Goddess Lakshmi is usually crafted of the following materials :
Stone
Brass
Ashtadhatu
Sphatik/Crystal
Parad/Mercury
Wood
The idol of Lakshmi comes in various styles and combinations.
The most common ones are :
Sri Lakshmi Narayana Idol
Lord Narayana, also known as Lord Vishnu, is regarded as a major god in Hinduism and Indian mythology.
Lord Vishnu represents himself as Narayana because he has goddess Lakshmi within him. Lord Vishnu’s consort is Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth.
The Lakshmi Narayan idol is worshipped in Hinduism for peace, prosperity and to get the blessings of Lord Lakshmi Narayana.
Ganesha and Lakshmi Idol
The most important feature of Diwali celebrations is the Lakshmi – Ganesha pooja. Goddess Lakshmi is the Goddess of wealth and prosperity.
Lord Ganesha is worshipped first on every pooja and is the God of pure consciousness, good luck, knowledge and wisdom.
The auspicious pair of Lakshmi-Ganesh idol brings charm and grace to an individual’s office and home.
Goddess Maricihi
Marici is the goddess of Dawn or Sun’s ray.
The shining goddess is a Buddhist astral goddess.
She is considered to be an avtaar of Vairocana, also his Shakti, as well identified as a bodhisattva, or buddha-designate.
She was the mother of Sakyamuni (a form of the Buddha).
Sun god in Hindu mythology is considered an equivalent of Goddess Marichi.
She is often depicted in a three-headed form, as the Shakti of Hayagriva, beautifully seated on a lotus.
Her left head resembles a pig, while she rides in a chariot drawn by seven boars.
The complexion is red, yellow, or white, and she is flanked by an arrow, fly whisk, horse’s head in the hair, needle, prayer wheel, staff, sword, thread and trident; also in three-eyed.
Her path crosses the route of the sun while traveling, thus, becoming invisible.
She oversees thirty-six celestial deities and seventy-two earthly deities.
All these one hundred and eight deities are responsible for showering blessings and punishing people depending on the karmas from these people’s previous lives and their current lives.
Marici designates a demiurge, a product of the creator god Brahma as per the Hindu mythology.
Goddess Maya
Goddess Maya is considered to be the mother of Buddha, known popularly in the Hindu scriptures as Mahamaya, meaning Great Maya, or Mayadevi, the Goddess Maya. While she is known as Gutrulma in Tibetan & Queen Maya in English.
Maya means Illusion of an interplay of Substance and Energy that gives a feeling that there is something “there“.
Thus, Mahamaya actually means The Grandest Deception. Along with Shakti & Prakriti, Maya makes the powerful combination of the three “personified” as great goddesses.
Life is unimaginable without them.
Still, the humans rely heavily upon Maya as she helps them to be perceptible, & thus, access the reality.
As per the Hindu tradition, the goddess is considered the maiden-aspect of Kali.
So, she is the Mahakali, who symbolizes the giver of perception.
Goddess Parvati
Goddess Parvati Uma, Lalitha, Gowri, Shivakamini, Aparna Parvati is a Hindu goddess who is the wife of Lord Shiva and the divine mother of Lord Ganesh and Lord Murugan as per the hindu mythology.
She is also believed to be the divine sister of Lord Vishnu. According to the Shakthi philosophy, she is the divine, the supreme Lord.
She has been either represented as Shakti or Durga, albeit the gentle aspect of that goddess.
There are numerous forms of Parvati which include Uma, Lalitha, Gowri, Shivakamini, Aparna, the maternal epithet Mataji, and many hundreds of others.
The goddess name is a Sanskrit word which means “mountain”.
She was the daughter of Himavan, lord of the mountains and the apsara Mena.
Considered as the second spouse of Shiva, the Hindu God of destruction and rejuvenation, she is no different from Dakshayani, the former consort of Shiva.
It is believed that Parvati was her reincarnated form.
Parvati is the maiden form of Kali.
She is the ultimate power whose hues richness is reflected through her divine attire & her jewels.
Her inevitable connection with life & death, transformation & cause & effect are all reflected through the karmic golden wheel.
Goddess Prajnaparamita
Goddess Prajnaparamita, the famous Buddhist goddess, is the most vital of all deities.
She is the personification of the book of supreme, absolute wisdom.
In the Mahayana tradition, the goddess signifies femininity.
The text states the fundamentals of Mahayana Buddhism where she has been described as Sarva-buddha-matri, “Mother of All Buddhas”.
She is even considered as the female Buddha. While the offsprings are the surrounding Buddhas.
Identified as the Prajnaparamita book and a vajra, which is a complex symbol of the Buddhist universality, the goddess is always shown sitting in a lotus position.
Supposed to be the goddess of Transcendental Wisdom, she symbolizes the feminine version of the supreme Buddha.
Goddess Saraswati
Goddess Saraswati is the Hindu Goddess of learning and the arts.
She is the daughter of Lord Shiva and Goddess Durga.
Goddess Saraswati is first referred to in literature as the personification of the sacred river, the Saraswati, also known as Sarasvati, and is also identified with Vac, the goddess of speech.
In later Hinduism Saraswati is usually considered the consort of the God Brahma (the promulgator of the Veda), but she enjoys an autonomous position as the patroness of art, music and letters.
It is believed that Goddess Saraswati endows human beings with the powers of speech, wisdom and learning.
The goddess has four hands representing four aspects of human personality in learning; mind, intellect, alertness and ego.
The goddess has sacred scriptures in one hand, a lotus in the second hand, which is a symbol of true knowledge.
With her other two hands, the goddess plays the music of love and life on a string instrument called Veena (violoin).
Goddess Saraswati is dressed in white, which symbolizes purity and rides on a white swan that symbolises Sattwa Guna (purity) and discrimination.
Goddess Saraswati is annually worshiped with great enthusiasm by Hindu students and teachers alike at the advent of spring, when the Hindu year occurs in January-February.
The idols of Goddess Saraswati are usually crafted in the following materials :
Brass
Wood
Stone
The height and weight of these idols depends on the material used for making them.
Goddess Sita
Goddess Sita, as described by the Rig Veda, was the wife of Rama who was the seventh avatara of Vishnu.
She is considered to be the avtaar of Lakshmi on Earth.
The goddess is the main protagonist of the epic “Ramayana”.
The goddess had the appellations of Bhumija, Dharanisuta, and Parthivi, all connoting ‘daughter of the earth’. Sita was the daughter of Bhumidevi & adopted by Janaka, the king of Mithila. Accordingl, she is known by many names.
Such as Janaki, Mythili or Maithili, Ramaa & Vaidehi.
As per the mythological concept, Sita was discovered in a furrow in a ploughed field by King Janaka.
She later got married to Rama, the prince of Ayodhya.
Sita strongly emphasizes the feminine power & that was pretty evident through her every action, reaction in her long and arduous life. She is seen as a symbol of power by every female.
Manasa Devi
Manasa DeviManasa is the goddess of naga and fertility.
She fulfills the wishes & protects one against snakebite.
Associated with the earth and higher knowledge, she is worshiped mostly in eastern India.
Goddess Manasa was the daughter of sage Kasyapa and Kadru, the sister of the serpent-king Sesha.
She has the power as well to cure infectious diseases & shower one with wealth and prosperity.
She is ritually worshiped with sacrifices offered to her during rainy season, since, the snakes are most active in this season.
Sometimes, she is supposed to be a pre-Aryan goddess.
Legend has that Manasa even requested her father, Lord Shiva, to include her in the pantheon, so that she is worshipped by humans.
Shiva responded to it that if Chand (of Anga kingdom) agrees to worship her, then her wish would be fulfilled.
After a lot of tedious trial, Chand finally agreed to worship her with his left hand.
And, thus, Manasa is the only Hindu goddess who till date is worshiped by the left hand.
Manasa Devi’s well known temples can be found in Haridwar and Chandigarh.
Samshana Kali
Samshana Kali is the mother who dwells there with immaterial spirits. She is the fiercest & darkest form of Kali.
She is known for her unrestrained, wilderness & terrifying characteristics.
Her frightening look has the capacity to give heartaches even to the most strongest of men.
Usually, the ‘Kali of the Cremation Grounds’ is depicted in deep blue color where the goddess is shown with one face, three eyes, and four arms.
Metaphorically, her strikingly midnight blue complexion signifies her immutable & indestructible nature.
Her nature is such that she is beyond all concepts & qualities.
She has the same characteristics of goddess Kali.
The ‘warrior’ nature can never be separated from her person.
The goddess worshiped as the ‘Goddess of the Dead’.
She is popularly served by dakinis.
She is seen as the female acolytes whose role is to arrange the funerals.
Shakti Devi
Shakti Devi means force, power or energy in Hinduism & she personifies the female aspect of God.
She is even referred as ‘The Divine Mother’.
The goddess symbolizes the active, dynamic principles of feminine power.
As per Shaktism, she is as the Supreme Being.
There is a counter view as well in other Hindu traditions where she has been depicted embodying the active energy and power of male deities such as Vishnu in Vaishnavism or Shiva in Shaivism.
As we all know that Vishnu’s shakti counterpart is Lakshmi, with Parvati being the female shakti of Shiva.
Shakti denotes the eternal and Supreme Power who manifests energy, and substance of everything, and all-pervading.
She is connected with & identical to the power of the gods.
She, like other goddesses, is the source of the universe.
She even represents the violent aspects of Durgha & Kali as well the creative aspects of Shiva.
According to Tantrism philosophy, the Shakti defines the unity of opposites.
Tara Devi
Goddess Tara or Arya Tara, is a female Bodhisattva associated with Tibetan Buddhism.
Considered as the “mother of liberation”, she represents the virtues of success in work and achievements.
She is seen as Mahatara, Great Tara, who is the supreme creator and mother of all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.
As per the Hindu Mythology, Tara is the Feminine Goddess Archetype who governs the Underworld, the Earth and the Heavens, birth, death and regeneration, love and war, the seasons, all that lives and grows, the Moon cycles – Luna – feminine – creation.
She is a gorgeous looking deity whose favorite animals are the sow, mare, owl and raven.
Considered as one of the most popular figure in the Tibetan pantheon of deities, the name connotes ‘Star’.
She is one of the eight major aspects of the Divine Feminine Principle according to the Hindu scriptures.
She is seen as a benevolent goddess.
She is common in Buddhism, Jainism, and particularly, Tibetan Lamaism as well.
She manifests asceticism, mysticism, & a protector of humanity.
Tara is known by names like Green Tara, White Tara, Red Tara, Black Tara, Yellow Tara, Blue Tara & Cittamani Tara.
Uma Devi
Uma Devi, is considered as the goddess of ‘light’ or the Lady of the Mountains.
She is an ancient Mountain-goddess who imparts the vital virtue of balance to humanity.
She has always been depicted as a beauty with benign power.
Often she is known by Parvati, Ambika, Annapurna, Bhairavi, Candi, Gauri, Durga, Jagadmatai, Kali, Kanyakumari, Kumari, Mahadevi & Syama or Shiva’s consort.
She is seen as a divinity in her own right.
The goddess is the ferocious form of Durga according to the Hindu scriptures.
She has been given the tag of a mediator as she would always resolve the conflicts of heaven.
The daughter of Himavat, the God of the Great Himalayan Mountains and the heavenly nymph Mena, she is also the sister of the sacred river Ganga.
Bengal is mainly considered as the center of goddess Uma’s cult.
The purpose behind Idol Worship in Hinduism?
“kleśo ‘dhikataras teshām
avyaktāsakta-cetasām
avyaktāhi gatir duhkham
dehavadbhir avāpyate”
Severe is the path of those whose minds are set on the Unmanifest, for the goal of the Unmanifest is painful to reach by the embodied beings.
– Bhagavad Geeta Chapter 12, V. 5
In this verse, Bhagwan says that it is very difficult for an embodied being like you and me to worship him in his unmanifest form.
The realized person, the sthitaprajna sees Divinity or God in every being, human or animal, the animate or the inanimate.
But for ordinary people like you and me, it is easier to focus our thoughts and devotion on something visible, be it a stone, wood or clay.
The shape and size of the statue does not matter.
Even a picture if you look at it day after day with love and devotion, you will build an unseen bond with the object of your devotion and that regular Abhyasa (practice) will finally make you aware of The Divinity within you.
In Hinduism, gods and goddesses hold a significant place of reverence and devotion.
They are seen as divine beings that embody various aspects of the ultimate reality, and are worshiped in various forms and names.
The ultimate goal of Hinduism is to achieve union with the divine, and belief in gods is seen as a means of connecting with the divine.
By worshiping the various gods and goddesses, Hindus are able to cultivate a deeper sense of devotion and surrender to the divine.
While the gods are highly revered in Hinduism, they are not considered to be the ultimate reality.
Instead, they are seen as manifestations of the divine, and ultimately, all gods are believed to be one and the same.
In Hinduism, the ultimate goal of life is to attain spiritual liberation, or moksha, by realizing the oneness of the individual soul, or Atman, with the universal soul, or Brahman.
Hinduism recognizes a vast pantheon of gods and goddesses, each with their unique characteristics and roles.
Some of the most prominent deities include Brahma, the creator; Vishnu, the preserver; and Shiva, the destroyer.
In addition to these major gods, there are many other deities, including minor gods, goddesses, and regional deities, that are also worshiped by Hindus.
The various stories and myths associated with the gods and goddesses in Hinduism offer guidance on how to lead a virtuous and fulfilling life.
By following the examples set by the gods and goddesses, Hindus are able to cultivate a sense of morality and ethics.
The various gods and goddesses in Hinduism are seen as protectors and guides who can offer comfort and solace during difficult times.
By offering prayers and making offerings to the gods and goddesses, Hindus are able to find comfort and support in times of need.
Why do Hindus worship idols?
The Murti
Worship of the murti, the sacred image, is central to Hinduism.
Many of the ineteenth century reform movements rejected the practice as outdated and superstitious. Nonetheless, sacred-image worship remains central today in helping many Hindus develop and express their relationship with God.
Useful Analogy 1
The post box
The murti is compared to a post box that is authorised to accept mail on behalf of the central post office.
- As most people live far from a central sorting office, the post office installs local boxes. Similarly, though most people cannot approach God in his abode, he appears as the murti before those who sincerely desire to serve him.
- We cannot put mail in any box; it must be authorised. Each box is made and installed under the authority of the post office. Similarly, sacred images should be made and worshipped only under scriptural guidance.
Useful Analogy 2
The expert electrician
- Though the murti is perceivable to our senses, Hindus consider it Brahman (spirit). Hindu thinkers differentiate between matter and spirit, but on a higher level consider both to be Brahman. God can change matter into spirit and spirit into matter. He is compared to an expert electrician who can use electricity to refrigerate and to heat. Though people in ignorance cannot perceive spirit (and hence God), the Lord may agree to appear before them in a visible form so that they can develop their relationship with him. The murti, though appearing to be matter, may function as spirit.
Personal Reflection
- What experience do we have of practices that resemble deity worship?
- Why do we build statues of famous people or keep pictures of the deceased (whose graves we may venerate)?
Common Misunderstandings
The images are merely meditational aids, and represent the different aspects of God who is invisible; Hindus don’t actually worship their murtis
Many branches of Hinduism do not agree. Both practically and theologically, the murti may be considered to be God or the specific deity it represents. Some Hindu groups consider the murti a form of avatar.
Sensitive Issues – Idolatry
The question of idolatry naturally arises for many non-Hindus encountering image-worship.
It is especially relevant in schools where teachers and pupils are predominantly Christian or of other religions that have reservations about idol-worship, or practices that resemble it.
The more developed strands of Hinduism have sophisticated theologies which differentiate between (what they consider) genuine deity worship and that which is unacceptable (or on a lower level of understanding).
Naturally, they reject apparently similar practices focussing on demonic forces and which are influenced by the quality of ignorance (tamas).
Deity worship should be performed in goodness, and there are strict rules regarding its scientific execution and the character and conduct of those performing it.
Brass Craft Krishna Arjuna Chariot with 4 Horses
An idol or an image is a living embodiment (arca) of God.
It is not a lifeless form. Life is poured into every image or idol when it is reverentially worshipped with devotion.
Devotion has such power.
According to our Puranas, with devotion you can awaken the divine power which is hidden in any object.
By overcoming the duality of the subject and the object or the knower and the known you can experience oneness with the divinity who is present in all things.
Idol worship (murthi puja) or image worship in Hinduism refers to the worship of the names and forms (murti) of God, any divinity or reverential person such as a guru or a saint.
The practice is unique to Hinduism. Image worship is also practiced in Buddhism and Jainism.
Buddhists worship Buddha, Bodhisattvas and several deities.
Jains worship the Thirthankaras and other Jinas.
However, both religions do not believe in creator God.
Hence, image worship of God is found only in Hinduism.
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता (काशिनीव्याख्ययालङ्कता) : Srimad Bhagavad Gita (Kashini Vyakhyayalakta)
According to Hinduism, the whole creation is a form of God.
Every aspect and form in it reflect his glory because God is hidden in each of them.
The whole creation is sacred because it is suffused with the presence of God.
Hence, every aspect of it is worthy of worship. When you say, “God is this or that,” you are limiting him.
When you say, “God should be worshipped in this or that manner only,” you are again defining and limiting your methods of worship.
It is also said that when a devotee worships an idol, he also worships the deity who is present in him as his hidden Self.
All the prayers that you offer to the idols are also simultaneously addressed to the hidden deity.
You are the priest in the worship of the deity, while your hidden Self is the silent priest or the Brahman, who makes sure that your prayers reach their destination with augmented power.
When a devout Hindu folds his hands in front of a deity to pray or offer his respects, his hands point not only to the deity in front of him but also the deity that lives in him.
Thus, thus symbolically in idol worship one not only worships the concrete form of God (murtam) but also the subtle, invisible and formless Self (amurtam) in the body.
Why are Gods and Goddesses Important in Hinduism?
Representing the divine : In Hinduism, the ultimate reality is often described as being beyond human comprehension, and hence, difficult to understand. The gods and goddesses are seen as embodiments of the divine, and are worshipped as a means to connect with the divine. They are seen as intermediaries who can help humans to better understand and experience the ultimate reality.
Personalizing the divine : The various gods and goddesses in Hinduism are depicted as having distinct personalities, traits, and attributes. They are seen as having specific roles and responsibilities, such as creation, protection, or destruction. By worshipping them, Hindus are able to personalize their relationship with the divine, and develop a deeper connection with the various aspects of the ultimate reality.
Providing guidance and inspiration : Many of the stories and myths associated with the gods and goddesses in Hinduism provide guidance and inspiration to devotees. They offer examples of how to lead a virtuous and fulfilling life, and how to overcome challenges and obstacles. They also offer hope and reassurance, as they are seen as protectors and guides who can offer guidance and support during difficult times.
Reflecting cultural values : The various gods and goddesses in Hinduism reflect the cultural values and beliefs of the people who worship them. For example, the goddess Saraswati is associated with knowledge and wisdom, and is worshipped by students and scholars. The god Ganesh is associated with wisdom and success, and is worshipped before the start of new ventures. The god Shiva is associated with renunciation and detachment, and is worshipped by ascetics and seekers of enlightenment.
Encouraging devotion : Worship of the gods and goddesses in Hinduism is seen as an important form of devotion, and is considered a means of purifying the mind and heart. It is believed that by offering prayers, making offerings, and performing rituals, devotees can cultivate a deeper sense of devotion and surrender to the divine.
Celebrating festivals : Many of the festivals in Hinduism are associated with the worship of specific gods and goddesses.
For example, the festival of Diwali is associated with the goddess Lakshmi, who is worshipped for prosperity and good fortune.
The festival of Navratri is associated with the goddess Durga, who is worshipped for strength and courage.
By celebrating these festivals, Hindus are able to connect with the divine and celebrate their cultural heritage.
35″ Large Lord Ganesha, Devi Lakshmi and Devi Saraswati (Set of Three Statues)
Insights Explaining Idol Worship
Easiest way to install faith and devotion : To intellectuals who are well informed in spiritual knowledge, the abstract concept of God may be engaging, but to an ordinary individual the idea is complex and difficult to comprehend. On the other hand, an ordinary individual like you and me will find a concrete image or idea of God that we can easily grasp far more appealing. For example the image of Ganesha or the idea of Krishna we hear from many stories. An idol will represent God and his many qualities thus making it easier for us to believe in His existence and to devote ourselves to Him rather than attempting to worship the unmanifest or the formless.
A way of acknowledging the omnipresence of God : From a sub-atomic particle to the great stars, God is manifested in all His creations. We believe that God is ‘Omnipresent’. If God is everywhere, then surely He is in that idol. In idol worship, a devotee gives as much love and respect to his/her idol believing that God resides in it.
Idol worship helps devotees to become deeply religious : Once an idol is installed in the house or in a puja mandir (place of worship in a house), the very house becomes a place of God’s residence, a very sacred place, a temple by itself. The idol reminds household members of the divine presence and of their religious duties and responsibilities. It inspires devout men to keep their houses pure and not to indulge in sacrilegious acts.
Aid to concentration : More than any abstract concept, an image or a symbol is the best aid to concentrate and control one’s mind and attention. By focusing the mind on an image, the mind can be tamed and stabilized. Today science has been able to proof that images subdued in the subconscious plays a significant role in shaping one’s life and destiny. The ancient Hindus were aware of the potentiality of the mind and therefore did not object to the worship of idols. They knew it was the best way to lead the fickle human mind towards God.
An effective prayer : Communicating with God : Idol worship helps us to focus the energies from our prayer into a strong current flowing in one particular direction. Besides, the supposed physical proximity to God intensifies the emotional fervourand charges the prayer with love and devotion.
There are many reasons why a devout Hindu worships idols.
To simply explain it, idol worship is the best method of communication with God for many Hindus.
Religion is a matter of faith.
There is no one right way to attain God.
The paths to God are many and many are the ways one can reach Him.
10″ Trimurti From Elephanta (Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesha) In Brass | Handmade | Made In India
A vast pantheon of gods and goddesses
Hinduism recognizes a vast pantheon of gods and goddesses, each with their unique characteristics and roles.
Some of the major gods in Hinduism are:
Brahma : Brahma is the creator of the universe and is often depicted with four heads, each facing a different direction.
He is also known as the “Grandfather” of all living beings.
Vishnu : Vishnu is the preserver of the universe and is often depicted with blue skin and four arms.
He is believed to have ten avatars or incarnations, including Lord Rama and Lord Krishna.
Shiva : Shiva is the destroyer of the universe and is often depicted with a third eye on his forehead and a serpent around his neck. He is also known as the Lord of Yoga and is associated with asceticism and meditation.
Devi : Devi, also known as Shakti or the Divine Mother, is the embodiment of feminine energy and is often worshiped as the supreme goddess.
She is believed to have many forms and names, including Durga, Kali, and Lakshmi.
Ganesha : Ganesha is the elephant-headed god and is considered the remover of obstacles.
He is often worshiped at the beginning of important ceremonies and rituals.
Hanuman : Hanuman is a monkey god and is known for his strength, loyalty, and devotion.
He is often worshiped for protection and strength.
These are just a few of the major gods in Hinduism.
There are many other deities, including minor gods, goddesses, and regional deities, that are also worshiped by Hindus.
Hinduism recognizes a vast pantheon of gods and goddesses, and it is difficult to give an exact number as the Hindu tradition has a diverse range of deities with many local and regional variations.
The number of gods and goddesses in Hinduism is estimated to be in the millions, including minor gods and goddesses.
It’s important to note that Hinduism’s view of the divine is not limited to a particular number of gods and goddesses.
Many Hindus see the divine as one, manifesting in many forms, with each deity representing a different aspect of the ultimate reality.
Key Takeaways
Idol worship is a common practice in Hinduism, with devotees worshipping deities in the form of statues, images, and other representations.
The purpose of idol worship is not to worship the physical object itself but to use it as a means to connect with the divine energy it represents.
Each deity in Hinduism has a unique form, symbolism, and mythology associated with it, with devotees choosing to worship the deity that resonates with their beliefs and aspirations.
The rituals and traditions of idol worship serve to reinforce the values of devotion, gratitude, and humility in the lives of devotees.
The use of colors, flowers, and other offerings in idol worship symbolizes the beauty and abundance of nature and the importance of honoring and respecting it.
The practice of idol worship is rooted in the belief that divine energy is present in all things and can be accessed through various means, including meditation, prayer, and rituals.
Gods are believed to have the power to bestow blessings and fulfill prayers.
Worshiping gods is a means of expressing gratitude and seeking forgiveness.
Do Hindus Worship Idols?
If the divine is everywhere, we can feel comfortable worshipping Him in material forms.
Hindus are not idol worshippers in the sense implied.
We Hindus invoke the presence of God, or the Gods, from the higher, unseen worlds, into stone images so that we can experience His divine presence, commune with Him and receive His blessings.
But the stone or metal Deity images are not mere symbols of the Gods; they are the form through which their love, power and blessings flood forth into this world.
We may liken this mystery to our ability to communicate with others through the telephone.
We do not talk to the telephone; rather we use it as a means of communication with another person.
Without the telephone, we could not converse across long distances; and without the sanctified icon in the temple we cannot easily commune with the Deity.
Divinity can also be invoked and felt in a sacred fire, or in a tree, or in the enlightened person of a satguru.
In our temples, God is invoked in the sanctum by highly trained priests.
Through the practice of yoga, or meditation, we invoke God inside ourself. Yoga means to yoke oneself to God within.
The image or icon of worship is a focus for our prayers and devotions.
Another way to explain icon worship is to acknowledge that Hindus believe God is everywhere, in all things, whether stone or people.
So, it is not surprising that they feel comfortable worshipping the divine in His material manifestation.
The Hindu can see God in stone and water, air and ether, and inside his own soul.
All religions have their symbols of holiness through which the sacred flows into the mundane.
To name a few: the Christian cross, or statues of Mother Mary and Saint Theresa, the holy Kaaba in Mecca, the Sikh Adigranth enshrined in the Golden Temple in Amritsar, the Arc and Torah of the Jews,
the image of a meditating Buddha or the totems of indigenous and Pagan faiths, the artifacts of the many holy men of all religions.
These icons, graven images, are held in awe by the followers of these faiths. The tooth of the Buddha in Sri Lanka’s town of Kandy is another loved and respected image.
The question is, Does this make all the above religions idol-worshippers? The answer is: yes and no.
From our perspective, idol worship is an intelligent, mystical practice shared among all of the world’s great faiths.
The human mind releases itself from suffering, as shown by all the religions, through the use of forms and symbols that awaken reverence,
evoke sanctity and spiritual wisdom. Even a fundamentalist Christian who rejects all forms of idol worship, including those of the Catholic and Episcopal Churches, would resent someone who showed disrespect for his Bible.
This is because he considers it sacred.
In Hinduism one of the ultimate attainments is that the seeker transcends the need of all form and symbol.
This is the yogi’s goal.
In this way Hinduism is the least idol-oriented of all the religions of the world.
There is no religion that is more aware of the transcendent, timeless, formless, causeless Truth.
Nor is there any religion which uses more symbols to represent Truth in preparation for that realization.
Why do Hindus worship idols?
Why not? Who said how a Hindu or any human is supposed to worship the divine? Who made these rules?
This question is rooted in Abrahamic myth that frowns upon God being given any form, and the Biblical condemnation of idolatry as indicative of a false religion.
In the 19th century, as the British became masters of India, Hindus were pressurised to defend the practice of idol worship.
And so many Hindu reformers went to the extent of saying that “true” Hinduism, in its pristine form (by which they meant Vedas), had no idols.
That idol worship is a later-day corruption.
However, many Hindu traditionalists rejected this idea.
The tension between giving God form and stripping God of any form is an ancient one. Before the British, it was the Muslim rulers of India who frowned upon idol worship.
Their raid on temples, which was mainly for political reasons and economic loot (temples were repositories of great wealth), was justified by stating it was an exercise against infidel idolatry.
This influence of Islam led many Hindus to prefer the formless (nirguni, nirakar) divine, over divinity with form (saguni, sakar).
So we find some bhakti followers using the name of God to refer to an abstract entity, while others use the names of Rama and Krishna or Kali to refer to a specific deity.
At a metaphorical level, idolatry refers to taking things literally.
When we focus less on the idea and meaning, which is formless, than on the word or symbol, which is the form.
An idea can be communicated only using a form (word, symbol, story, ritual).
However, when the vehicle becomes more important than the content, when the form becomes more important than the idea, idolatry starts.
We need idols (word, symbol, story, ritual) for the sake of communication.
But we need to differentiate between the vehicle and the content.
Every civilisation crumbles when the vehicle is taken literally at the cost of content.
Those who take the vehicle literally are called fundamentalists; they do not bother with the underlying idea.
So they see the idol as God, rather than a concrete expression of the idea of God.
For example, every year, in Mumbai, people bring clay images of Ganesha home, and worship him for a day or two, before immersing the image in the sea.
The ritual makes one aware of the transitory nature of life – even God comes and goes, is created and destroyed.
The ritual includes veneration (aradhana) which involves welcoming the divine, bathing them, offering them food, clothes, perfumes, lamps, incense, and finally words of praise, before bidding them farewell.
Thus divinity is seen as a guest, and treated as guests are supposed to be treated.
The act involves concentration (dhyana).
During the festival, the name of God is chanted and his stories told so that our mind is filled with ideas about life, death, existence, wealth, power, impermanence, relationships, sorrow, liberation, success, pleasure.
We express our desires and hope these will be fulfilled by the deity.
Thus, we are connected to a force larger than ourselves.
At the same time, the ritual involves engaging with friends, and family, and creating a sense of auspiciousness (mangalya) in the house, which generates positive energy. We realise how fragile life is and how lucky we are to have the good life.
We are asked to gaze upon the image (darshan) so that we realise in the elephant head and corpulent body the forces of earth that generate wealth and power, and how they are all impermanent, how even the hermit Shiva has to become a householder for the benefit of humanity at large.
Thus, the ritual anchored by the idol harnesses the Hindu idea and helps the Hindu reconnect with Hindu-ness, a shift from his otherwise mundane material life, a moment to pause about existence and his role in the cosmos.
The outsider will see the ritual as “idolatry”.
All rituals and prayers, of all religions, eventually seem like idolatry to the outsider, whether it is bowing to the image of Jesus hanging on a crucifix, or going around the Kaaba in Mecca, or singing before the menorah, or carrying the Granth Sahib in a palanquin, or dancing to the drum beat of tribal rituals in the forest.
But the insider, who is immersed in the act, engages with the larger ideas of life and existence through the tangible vehicles created by his ancestors.
In the Vedas, gods were embodied through chants (mantra).
There was no material form.
The only form was sound.
As Vedic ideas spread, they mingled with the local faith of people who venerated earth’s fertility in the form of serpent-spirits (nagas) and tree-spirits (yakshas), as well as gods (bhutas, devas) who lived in water bodies, mountains, rocks and caves.
The earliest temples were groves, or rocks by a river side, or a mountain peak.
Later, pillars were erected to mark a deity.
Then, images were carved on stone or clay or metal.
The gods began to look more and more like humans, but sometimes with multiple heads and hands, sometimes part animal, sometimes part bird.
Imagination congealed itself into imagery.
In the Agama literature, detailed instructions are given on how to establish an idol in a temple and transform an idol into a deity through rituals known as breath-establishing (prana-pratithsha).
These are vehicles of faith.
Contained in the image and the ritual and the accompanying story is the idea that helps man discover the infinity described in the Vedas.
It helps him bring the divine into his life.
Abrahamic faiths are uncomfortable with idols and images.
Catholic faith is the only exception, where God is visualised as an old man and there is much art to show heaven, hell, prophets, angels and demons.
The Protestants shunned art.
The Muslims are forbidden to show images of the Prophet, though some artists in medieval Persia tried (keeping him veiled though).
But the human desire to express divinity through art has not been crushed. Instead of human forms, Islamic artists used calligraphy and architecture to express the divine spirit.
Others have used music to give the formless form.
Hinduism has kept no restriction – divinity is expressed through nature, through artefacts, through trees and animals and humans and fantastic creatures.
Hinduism celebrates human imagination.
Abrahamic religions fear human imagination and tend to restrict it using rules and norms and prohibitions against art.
This tendency to control human imagination and expression of the divine is slowly creeping into Hinduism, with fundamentalism and attacks on artists.
Everyone who seeks to control expressions of divinity seeks to contain divinity.
But the wise Hindu sages knew that the divine is infinite potential and has infinite expressions.
We can access this limitlessness through the limitation of artificial and natural forms, even using icons of Rama and Krishna and Durga and Ganesha, that the ignorant contemptuously refer to as idolatry.
Idol Worship In Hinduism and Vedic Culture
Hinduism is being followed by almost fifteen to sixteen percent of the total population in the world which accounts for about 1.5 Billion people.
But, what was before Hinduism?
Is Hinduism even a religion or a cultural identity associated with the land of Hind?
Is idol worship prevalent in Hindu culture and was that the case during the Vedic period as well? Let us look at what can be the probable cases!
It is believed that there was a religion before the advent of the prevailing form of Hinduism, called Brahmanism which followed Vedic scriptures.
The people from this era were more inclined towards believing that there is just one god and that there is no one else to worship but him.
Furthermore, they believed in experiencing the Brahman (God) within and worked on themselves to attain Moksha or Liberation which was their ultimate goal.
Thus, idol-worshipping was non-existent at that point in time and this is also evident from the various scriptures in Vedas which mention several times, that there is only one God and that he does not have a form.
Below are a few references from the Vedic scriptures that talk about the same:
“Ekam evadvitiyam “ “He is One only without a second.” (Chandogya Upanishad 6: 2: 1)
“Nacasya Kascij janita na cadhipah”
“Of Him there are neither Parents nor Lord.” (Shwetashavatara Upanishad 6: 9)
“Na tasya Pratima asti”
“There is no image of Him.” (Shwetashavatara Upanishad 4: 19 / Yajurveda 32 : 3)
“Ekam Brahm, dvitiya naste neh na naste kinchan”
“There is only one God, not the second; not at all, not at all, not in the least bit.” (Vedas)
“Andhatama pravishanti ye asambhuti mupaste”
“They enter darkness, those who worship the natural elements” (Air, Water, Fire, etc.).
They sink deeper in darkness, those who worship sambhuti” (Yajurveda 40: 9)
“Na samdrse tisthati rupam asya, na caksusa pasyati kas canainam.” “His form is not to be seen; no one sees Him with the eye.”
“shudhama poapvidham” “He is Bodyless and pure.” (Yajurveda 40: 8)
Some other shlokas that put emphasis on the same are:
“The formless Supreme Spirit that pervades the Universe can have no material representation, likeness or Image.” (Yajurveda 32 : 3)
“God Supreme or Supreme Spirit has no ‘Pratima’ (idol) or material shape.
He cannot be seen directly by anyone.
He pervades all beings and all directions.” (Yajurveda: Chapter 32)
Therefore, it is very likely that there could have been a time where idol worship was prohibited and working on oneself to realize the ultimate truth was the process that was undertaken.
This is very opposite to what we follow in Hinduism today where there are millions of gods and idols to worship, each god signifying certain characteristics.
There seems to be a big debate as to what Hinduism is, because the religion may have been twisted and turned in many ways over the years, especially after the onset of idol worship in Buddhism and Jainism.
This means that idol worship in Hinduism may not have been supported during the Vedic period and the origin of idol worship may have entered in the later part of the culture.
Why do Hindus Worship Idols?
If idol worship was not a religious practice, how did it come into existence today?
The modern Hinduism as we know may have been a mixture of various traditions, beliefs, and cultures, due to the synthesis and intermingling of the Indo-Aryans and Dravidians.
It is believed by experts, that Aryans were not idol worshippers but Dravidians were.
This may have brought about a vast change in religious behavior during the period between 800 BCE and 200 BCE which initiated post-Vedic religions.
This also includes Jainism as well as Buddhism which also evolved with time as various statues and idols of Buddha and Mahavira came into existence.
In spite of this, idol worship today is still practiced to a great extent and it also plays a major role in performing varied rituals and in offering prayers.
Humans may find it difficult (especially the ones who follow polytheistic religion like Hinduism) to remember god in its non-physical form,
which is why the significance of worshipping idols could have been a way to concentrate and connect with God more closely, using the physical form to connect with the divine.
Furthermore, there is also a scientific reason behind idol worship, building statues, and temples in the Hindu culture.
An idol is energized in a certain way so that it emits vibrations that can influence people around in a temple.
This process of energizing an idol and giving it life is called “Prana Prathista” or consecration of an idol, which in turn gives a positive vibe and aura surrounding it. Similarly, a temple is a place where an energized God resides, which is why it is considered to be a place where one can sit and be peaceful.
Thus, Idol worshipping flourished post the Vedic culture and incorporated in what is known as the Hindu traditions.
The human mind finds it difficult to unite with the divine which is why he had to build temples, mosques, churches, statues, idols, etc to establish a bond with the god.
Some believe in just one whereas some believe in many! Therefore, idol worship initially may not have been practiced but with the influence of other religions, it eventually became a part of the culture now!
Hinduism – how idol worship started?
Hinduism is not a simple religion.,
it has various philosophies, belief systems, mythology etc.,
It has evolved greatly during the course of time (from Vedic to Puranic periods).
It’s difficult to grasp all about Hinduism in a small post but I am trying it here to make you understand the turf war between Vishnu and Shiva as I see lot of argument is happening on this.
Pls read with patience, it will be give everyone a good historical background of facts.
If you have any objection to any of the facts presented here, I am ready to correct my views if presented with sufficient authentic evidence.
Vedas, the oldest Hindu scriptures contain hymns (mantras) to worship devatas who number around 33.
Indra, Agni, Varuna, surya, vaayu so on..
including Vishnu and Rudra (later became Shiva).
Indra was God of lightning, Agni is fire, Varuna – God of rain etc.,
Anyone who has a little knowledge of Vedas know that Indra, Agni, Varuna are the prominent or most important devatas in Vedas; Vishnu and rudra are mentioned very few times (vs hundreds of hymns for Indra,agni, varuna).
Apart from devata worship, some philosophy is also there in Vedas which seems to be closer to monism (idea that all existence is one).
You might have come across the famous Vedic statement- “ekam sat, vipra bahdua vadanti” (Truth is one, scholars call it with various names).
Actually here “sat” means “all that is”.
Various other hymns introduce purusha, hiranya garbha describing them as the entities who themselves became this entire creation.
This is called Monism.
Please read about Monism if you want to understand this concept further.
There was no Idol worship during Vedic period.
How these devatas were worshipped then? Through Fire.
Havyas (liquids made of ghee and some other herbs) were poured in to the fire (called Homa) while chanting hymns related to each devata.
Agni (fire) was considered as mouth to all other devatas meaning it was believed that Agni will carry all the offerings (havyas) to other devatas.
The person chanting mantras was called Hota and person conducting the whole process was known as Yajman (owner of Yagna).
This is how the famous south Indian word “Yajman” came about (people call the owner of a shop or boss as Yajman).
After Vedic period came the Upanishadic period.
The philosophical thought (monism) that began with Vedas was carried further and various philosophies (some of which are known as monistic idealism or idealistic monism) emerged in Upanishads which are often at odds with each other.
One of the predominant philosophies of Upanishads can be called as Adwaita (non-dualism) which is explained by 4 maha vakyas (great statements of Upanishads).
Here God is termed as Brahman (different from Brahma of Puranas) and defined as the consciousness present in all living beings.
Prajnanam Brahman (Aitareya upanishad) –
Consciousness or spirit which is there in all living beings is Brahman (God)
Ayamatma Brahman (Mandukya upanishad) –
This atma (which is in me) is Brahman (God)
Tatvam asi (Chandogya upanishad) –
That is you (your identity is same as that)
Aham Brahmaasmi (Brihadarnyaka upanishad) –
I am Brahman (God)
There are more than 108 Upanishads, of which 12 are considered very important.
There are contradictory concepts in them and to explain different concepts in them Hindu scholars have written shad-darshans (6 views) on Upanishads.
Also pancha bhashyams (5 commentaries) are very important in Hinduism.
Brahma sutras are most important of shad-darshans in which Brahman (God), Jeeva (individual soul) and Jagat (world) are discussed.
In the 5 bhashyams, first one is of Adishankara’s (Kerala) Adwaita bhashyam.
Adwaita is defined by Adishankara as – “Brahma satyam, jaganmidhya, jeevo brahmaiva naa paraha..”
Brahman is the only Truth (existence), this world is an illusion, Brahman and Jeeva are not separate (means Aham Brahmaasmi, I am Brahman).
Jnana (knowledge) is the only way to salvation which is to realise that one’s self is same as Brahman.
Once that is achieved no more lives (janmas) and salvation is achieved.
Brahman is defined by Adishankara as nirguna, niraakara, suddha chaitanya (attribute less, formless, pure consciousness).
It is said that Adishankara has wiped Buddhism off from India with his philosophy of Adwaita and preaching of the same across India.
Adwaita led to asceticism and monastic way of life.
There was a parallel movement by People who were more inclined towards devotion (bhakti).
This is where Puranas come in to picture.
Worship of Vishnu started in Tamilnadu by Alwars (during 7-9th centuries) and later propagated by Acharyas.
If you remember Vishnu was one of the not so important Vedic devatas (important ones being Indra, agni, varuna).
Through Puranas – mythological stories, Indra’s popularity was weakened (for example, Indra loses war with asuras and goes to Vishnu for help who saves him,
several such stories were written to undermine Indra) and lot of mythology was written around Vishnu and Shiva to raise their popularity.
Both competed in proving that only their deity is the greatest.
This is why you can see such verses in each purana that condemn the worshipers of other deity.
Also idol worship started in India due to the influence of Buddhism and Jainism.,
so people started giving idol forms to all their puranic figures and started worshiping them.
Ramanuja (Tamilnadu), the proponent of 2nd bhashyam belongs to the lineage of acharyas.
He opposed the concept of Brahman in adwaita and proposed Vishistadwaitam.
Ramanuja argued Brahman can not be attribute less, form less, pure consciousness. He opposed every element of it and said Brahman is saguna (full of attributes), saakara (having form) and equated him with Vishnu.
He further said Jnana alone is not enough, only devotion (bhakti) is the way to salvation.
Here if you notice carefully – Adwaita is a philosophy – defining God as the spirit or consciousness in all living beings.
What Ramanuja did is he modified this philosophy and combined it with mythology (by equating Brahman with Vishnu).
Similarly in Shaivism Brahman is equated to Shiva (rudra in vedas).
So philosophy and mythology were inter-mixed.
In adwaita, there is no difference between Jeeva (individual soul) and Brahman.
Where as in Vishistadwaita, ramanuja said Brahman is like sun and jeevas are like rays.
Rays are different from sun but are still coming from sun.
Here Brahman has two special qualities of jeeva and jagat so its called vishistadwaita.
Next came the 3rd bhashyam from Madhvacharya (Udipi, Karnataka) – who proposed Dwaita philosophy.
He opposed both adwaita and vishistadwaita and said Brahman, Jeeva and Jagat are all three separate.
He equated Brahman with Krishna (again mythological figure).
Other 2 bhashyams are from Andhrapradesh – Dwaitadwaita (nimbarka) Sudhadwaita (vallabha).
Nimbarka said along with Krishna (Brahman), radha is also worthy of worship.
Vallabha said there is a place (golok) where Krishna and radha live.
Salvation is to reach there and live there eternally in their presence.
Ok, there are the 5 bhashyams.
Bhagavat Geeta – part of mahabharata can also be considered as an Upanishad (its also known as geetopanishad).
It has influence of different philosophical thoughts of Upanishads.
This covers the most important concepts in Hinduism.
A quick recap:
Vedas – 33 devatas, no idol worship, little bit of philosophy (monism)
Upanishads – Philosophical (monistic idealism, idealistic monism), aham brahmaasmi concept
Puranas – mythology full of idol worship.
Shad-darshans and pancha-bhashyams – Commentaries on Upanishads.
So different Hindus follow different concepts from above.
Some follow Vedas strictly and shun idol worship.
Some are philosophical Adwaitists, some are involved in Krishna devotion, some worship various other puranic figures and their idols.
there are mix and matches also.
So please dont fight if idol worship is there are not etc.,
Everything is there in Hinduism.
Atheism, monism, polytheism are all there.
The real question should be how can we understand the Truth about GOD out of all this confusion.
Reasons For Idol Worship in Hinduism
An idol or an image is a living embodiment (arca) of God.
It is not a lifeless form.
Life is poured into every image or idol when it is reverentially worshipped with devotion. Devotion has such power.
According to our Puranas, with devotion you can awaken the divine power which is hidden in any object.
By overcoming the duality of the subject and the object or the knower and the known you can experience oneness with the divinity who is present in all things.
Many Hindus have reservation about the use of the word idol in reference to the practice of worshipping the forms of God.
They are justified in their response because in recent times many meanings have been attached to the word.
We are using it here because it is how many people know the practice and search for the information about it.
Importance in Hinduism
Idol worship (murthi puja) or image worship in Hinduism refers to the worship of the names and forms (murti) of God, any divinity or reverential person such as a guru or a saint.
The practice is unique to Hinduism. Image worship is also practiced in Buddhism and Jainism.
Buddhists worship Buddha, Bodhisattvas and several deities. Jains worship the Thirthankaras and other Jinas.
However, both religions do not believe in creator God.
Hence, image worship of God is found only in Hinduism.
According to Hinduism, the whole creation is a form of God.
Every aspect and form in it reflects his glory because God is hidden in each of them.
The whole creation is sacred because it is suffused with the presence of God.
Hence, every aspect of it is worthy of worship. When you say, “God is this or that,” you are limiting him.
When you say, “God should be worshipped in this or that manner only,” you are again defining and limiting your methods of worship.
Some people scoff at the idea of idol worship as an act of superstition.
However, devout Hindus accept idol worship as a simple way of expressing their faith, love and devotion to God.
There is a childlike innocence and purity of approach when a person stands reverently in front of an idol or an image and bows to it in total submission.
It is possible only when a person has strong faith and no egoism.
Worldly people or intellectuals who have strong egos cannot easily surrender to God or worship his images with simple faith. However, those who worship God with devotion and humility know that idol worship connects them to God and open their hearts to divine love.
A devout Hindu is not ashamed of going to a temple and bowing before an idol.
He has no hesitation to stand in front of it and speak to it as if he talking to an individual with exemplary faith and devotion which is not of this world.
He may be rich or poor, seeking something or simply praying without any expectation, educated or uneducated, his devotion and dedication to God and his service are unquestionable.
The idols may not speak to him, but he knows that his prayers will surely be heard, and his devotion and love to the deity will surely be reciprocated.
Even if his prayers are not answered, he continues his worship considering it a part of his karma, fate or the way God sometimes chooses to respond.
Deep in his heart he knows that he is engaged in a spiritual practice, and in the end it will only do him good and take him closer to God.
When Mohammad Gazni invaded India and attacked the Somnath temple, unable to defend themselves or the temple, the priests who were serving in the temple continuously prayed before the deity for days seeking his help and protection. In the end, no help came forth.
The temple was plundered, the idols were destroyed and desecrated, and the priests were killed without mercy.
History is replete with such instances where Hindu temples were destroyed, and the idols were subjected to desecration and senseless vandalism in the medieval times by Muslim armies.
The gods of Hinduism allowed it to happen.
They remained silent and offered no help to the defenders of faith.
It does not mean the gods were helpless.
They probably let it happen as part of the progression of time upon earth.
However, amidst all this mayhem, God seemed to have opened another door for the preservation and resurgence of Hinduism.
The period witnessed the rise of the devotional (bhakti) movement and renewed interest in idol worship.
Numerous saints appeared on the scene and helped people connect to their deities through reverential prayers, ritual worship and worship of God’s images at homes and in the temples.
The wanton violence and desecration of Hindu temples by the invaders could not shake the devotion of Hindus to their gods and goddesses and their commitment and dedication to the faith of their ancestors.
Anyone who believes that idol worship is a primitive or superstitious practice is mistaken.
Hindus do not worship the idols of their gods in vain.
An idol or an image of a deity is just a symbol, or a form, which serves as the object of worship or concentration and meditation and helps the devotees to connect to him.
When you greet a person, you actually greet the body or the form of that person.
You assume that the body is the person although the person is hidden in the body.
The same holds true in case of idol worship.
Ignorant people see the idol.
The devotees see the deity.
It is a matter of perspective or belief.
The devotees know that the ultimate reality is beyond the senses, beyond names and forms and beyond the field of Maya or illusion.
They know that although the objective reality does not truly represent God, it has its own value and importance in our understanding of truths, in our worship of God and in our experience of transcendental states.
History proves that on the path of devotion, many people in the achieved liberation through image worship.
They proved that with faith and devotion one could awaken the deities that are hidden in the idols and make them respond and reciprocate to their prayers and personal requests.
Their experience shows that idol worship is powerful technique to connect to God.
If there is enough devotion in the heart of a devotee, God would directly respond to those who worship his forms as it happened in case of great devotees such as Mirabai, Sant Tukaram, Shri Ramakrishna and Yogananda.
They proved beyond doubt that idol worship has its own brighter side, and through simple faith and intense devotion to his idols or images one can realize God.
Origin of the practice
The Vedic Aryans did not worship idols although they invoked various gods and goddesses through elaborate rituals and sacrificial ceremonies.
Idol worship probably entered the Vedic religion or Brahmanism in the post Vedic period, when many other native traditions of the Indian subcontinent were integrated into it during the eastward and southward expansion of the Sindhu Saraswathi civilization, which originally thrived in the western region, on the banks of the now extinct River Saraswathi.
Probably Shaivism and Vaishnavism played an important role in elevating it as an acceptable form of divine worship and domestic worship.
The practice was definitely popular during the Mauryan period both in the North and the South.
It gained further popularity in the Post Mauryan period when idols and temples, first in wood and later in stone, began appearing in various parts of India.
The temples legitimized idol worship and further elevated its ritual and spiritual importance.
The Guptas were great worshippers and patrons of Brahmanism.
They built many temples in honor of Hindu gods, especially Vishnu.
Justification for idol worship
There are enough reasons why Hindus worship idols to express their devotion and communicate with gods and goddesses.
There is no doubt that idol worship is a superior form of divine worship, a very simple way of declaring one’s faith in God, if we put aside the empty ritualism and the pompous display that are generally found associated with it.
In the hands of sattvic people it becomes a transformative practice while in the hands of tamasic people it degenerates into a vain and delusional practice.
We are presenting below a few insights into why a devout Hindu worships his idols so dearly while the rest of the world looks at him with mixed feelings of scorn, incredulity, amusement and disbelief.
1.It is the easiest way to instill faith and devotion in people.
As an abstract concept, God may be appealing to the intellectual minds.
However, ordinary people who are busy with their own lives and who are not well versed in the scriptural knowledge or religious scholarship, may find it difficult to grasp the deeper knowledge of the Self or the abstract notions of an invisible, formless God.
For them, idols and concrete images are extremely useful and convenient to express their simple devotion and connect to the idea of God at the mental and emotional levels and on the most personal terms.
An image can directly appeal to a devotee and instantly draw him into a reverential and devotional state.
In his mind it comes to life according to his imagination and expectations.
It becomes a living presence in his consciousness, representing all that he holds in great esteem about him in his thoughts as the compassionate giver of boons and blessings, who responds to his woes and supplications and helps him in difficulties.
2. It is a way of acknowledging the omniscience and omnipresence of God.
If God is omnipresent, then everything in the universe, including the idol one worships, is filled with His energy and presence.
Everything in the universe is equally sacred and worthy of worship since God equally pervades all and is present in all.
When we look at the picture of a person, we almost feel as if we are looking at the person, not his or her image, although we know what we are looking at.
If the image belongs to a great leader, spiritual person or saint, we treat it with even more respect as if we are meeting the real person.
If someone mutilates your picture, or that of a person whom you like or love, you may feel greatly offended by it and show your anger.
In all these cases, the images are coming to life in your thoughts or your imagination.
In idol worship also the same happens.
The idols become living and breathing realities in the imagination of their devotees, who will feel the same emotional pain or reaction if anyone shows them disrespect or contempt.
3. Traditionally, it is an approved practice.
Hinduism approves idol worship as a legitimate practice.
The scriptures sanction it.
The epics and the Puranas are replete with instances of the practice. According to them even gods and demons practice it to impress the higher gods and obtain boons from them. In the epic Ramayana both Rama and Ravana worshipped the images and symbols of Shiva.
In the epic Mahabharata, Arjuna worshipped Shiva to obtain the might Pasutpatha weapon.
Ekalavya worshipped the image of his guru Dronacharya.
In the Bhagavad-Gita, Lord Krishna cautions people about worshipping the unmanifested Brahman.
He also gives the assurance that in whatever form and manner people approach him, he will accordingly reciprocate.
The Tantras contain numerous conversations between Shiva and Parvathi about how to ritually worship the various forms and names of Shiva and Shakti for self-purification and liberation.
Thus, Hinduism does not disparage idol worship.
Besides, it is also in conformity with the basic spirit of Hinduism which gives freedom to its followers to worship God in any form they choose according to their choice.
It even approves the mental worship of God’s images and forms.
4. The idols help the devotee become deeply religious.
A devout Hindu worships his favorite deities in the temples or at home to fill his mind with their thoughts and keeps himself in a certain, reverential and devotional state as he engages himself in worldly activities and obligatory duties.
The practice reinforces his faith and his confidence to face the problems and difficulties in life.
When the idols of the gods are installed in the house or in a puja mandir (place of worship in a house), the very house becomes an abode of gods, a sacred place or a temple by itself.
By their very presence in the house, the idols remind the devout members of the household of their divine presence amidst them and the need to live religiously and ethically to keep the house clean and sacred and free from evil influences.
5. They serve as objects of concentration and meditation.
More than any abstract concept, an image or a symbol (yantra) serves as the best aid in practicing concentration and meditation.
By keeping the mind concentrated on a particular image, one can bring it under control and stabilize it in the thoughts of the deity.
Recent research confirms the beneficent effects of meditation, and how the mind can be effectively used to heal the body or change one’s way of thinking and attitude. There is some growing evidence that thoughts can manifest reality.
It is now a widely accepted fact that guided meditation and visualization technique can help people to overcome their hidden fears, control their emotions, change their responses, or learn new behavior.
The ancient seers of India were aware of the benefits of concentration and meditation.
Hence, they encouraged the internal and external rituals and domestic worship.
They knew that concentration and meditation upon the forms of God, and objects of Nature helped people control their fickle minds and become stabilized in the thoughts of God.
6. In idol worship the “true” worshipper becomes God!
An idol, form, or image of God symbolically represents the whole process of creation. According to the scriptures, worlds and beings came into existence when Purusha (Divine Will and consciousness) enters Prakriti (Nature, Energy or Matter) and becomes established in it.
Their association or union results in the formation of diversity.
The world is a projection of God in the field of Nature.
The forms and ideas are already present in the consciousness of the Cosmic Being (Isvara or Purusha).
He brings them to life by pouring into them His creative energy.
Before creation, the material universe (Viraj) exists as an idea in the cosmic consciousness of Isvara.
When the creation begins, he breathes life into it with his creative energy and brings it to life.
Our world is jagat, the one which is awakened and illumined by the light of God or that which shines with the brilliance of the Sun.
When an idol is worshipped with intense love and devotion, almost a similar process takes place in the mind of the worshipper.
The idol is no doubt inert and inactive.
At the physical level, it is just a piece of stone, clay, wood or some other material.
However, in the mind of the devotee it comes to life as he pours his love and devotion into it and makes offerings to it.
It happens repeatedly whenever a devotee worships it.
Hence, it is believed that not all idols are alike.
Those which are more frequently worshipped by more people accumulate higher power in proportion to the offerings they receive.
Thus in worship, devotees step into the role of God.
They put life into the materiality of the idols and make them alive.
7. The idols help us cultivate sameness and equanimity.
Like our gross bodies, the idols are also impermanent and destructible.
Indeed, some idols are immersed in water or discarded after they are worshipped.
Worshipping the destructible forms of God remind us of our own impermanence, the impermanence of the world and the need to work for our liberation.
Some idols which Hindus worship in ancient temples look fierce or unusual with grotesque bodies.
They disturb our sense of proportion, beauty, symmetry and harmony.
By worshipping them one overcomes attachment to superficial beauty and learns to see the truth which is hidden in the things, beyond their names and forms.
The idols also teach us to treat the whole creation with respect and recognize the presence of God in all objects.
Hence, Hindus not only worship idols in temples, but also natural objects and phenomena such as the rivers, sacred trees, mountains, natural symbols, the sky, the earth, the oceans, the stars, the sun and the moon and other planetary bodies.
8. It is a very powerful technique to cultivate purity and relate to the deity.
Idol worship is more effective than praying. In idol worship you combine the power of prayer with the power of concentration and meditation.
Your further reinforce it with ritual and spiritual power.
When you worship the idols with devotion, you combine all these energies into a powerful force and channel them in their direction, creating in the process a powerful field of sacred energy.
It is why many devotees experience peace and feel energized after they perform domestic or temple worship.
In idol worship, you also invoke the power of devotion, which according to the Bhagavadgita, brings the devotee closer to the deity who is hidden in the idol and strengthen their relationship.
9. It is a declaration of simple faith in the universal presence of God.
God cannot be known with the mind or our limited senses.
None can understand that which is infinite, absolute, transcendental, and hidden.
No amount of intellectual effort is going to improve our knowledge of God or his creation.
We may gain only a partial understanding of it or several perspectives, which may not be very helpful to arrive at truth except in relation to other truths or in particular contexts.
You may worship an invisible, formless God, but it is not going to give you any better understanding or knowledge of Him than those who worship concrete forms of God.
Both are subject to the same constraints of knowledge and understanding.
God is far and above, vastly unknown or known only through flashes of intuition or dreamlike experiences.
Ordinary people with their limited awareness cannot comprehend the truths of Brahman, who is beyond the mind and the senses.
Idol worship is a simple declaration of faith in an otherwise unknown and incomprehensible reality of God.
A devotee who worships the idols is not deterred by any of the limitations to which we are subject.
He takes them in his stride or ignores them and conducts his worship with complete faith, reducing the infinity of God into a concrete image and holding it to be the whole truth.
It is as if he is content with his limited knowledge, undeterred by his ignorance, and understood God as the omniscient and omnipresent power who listens to all prayers and watches over His devotees from here as well as from above.
10. It is a transformative and purifying practice
Idol worship is a transformative practice which contributes to the predominance of sattva.
It is not known to many that before a devotee worships an idol in the most reverential manner, he has to ritually install it and breathe life (prana) into it.
The same is done when he worships a symbol or tantric diagram (yantra).
It is called establishing life breathe into the idol (prana pratishta).
In the puja ceremony which is usually performed in the households, it is done whenever the deities are ritually worshipped according to the standard procedure.
However, in temples it is done only in the beginning when the idols are installed in it for the first time.
The idea of it is that you are worshipping living forms of God, not a mere physical form.
When you do it, the prana that you pour into the idol comes from you.
It is your life energy which you symbolically put into the it.
When the deity in the idol finally departs at the end of the ritual, the prana which you poured into it returns to you, purified and elevated.
Inside your body, it purifies you further.
The hidden aspect of idol worship
It is also said that when a devotee worships an idol, he also worships the deity who is present in him as his hidden Self.
All the prayers that you offer to the idols are also simultaneously addressed to the hidden deity.
You are the priest in the worship of the deity, while your hidden Self is the silent priest or the Brahman, who makes sure that your prayers reach their destination with augmented power.
When a devout Hindu folds his hands in front of a deity to pray or offer his respects, his hands point not only to the deity in front of him but also the deity that lives in him.
Thus, thus symbolically in idol worship one not only worships the concrete form of God (murtam) but also the subtle, invisible and formless Self (amurtam) in the body.
The need for balance and tolerance
Therefore, one should not undermine the importance of idol worship in Hinduism. Some present day people may regard it as a primitive and superstitious practice.
However, the scriptures undermine neither its value nor its importance.
Historically it has a long history in the Hindu ritual tradition.
The scriptures validate it as a standard method of divine worship.
Considering that the Vedic sacrifices are very elaborate ceremonies which only trained priests can perform, idol worship presents a better alternative to the masses who are not conversant with the scripture and who want to conduct their worship without the intervention of priests.
For religious people, it is a convenient way to communicate with their gods and seek their blessings.
In this regard, the following message from the Isa Upanishad (9 & 11) is worth mentioning, which rightly sums up the need balance in the pursuit of liberation.
“Into blinding darkness enter those who worship ignorance and into still greater darkness those who worship knowledge alone .
He who knows both knowledge and ignorance together, crosses death through ignorance and attains immortal life through knowledge.”
Which God Idols Should Not Be Kept At Home?
An idol- Murti, Pratima, or Chavi (image) of the divine is considered one of the simplest yet most effective ways for an individual to approach the Parama-Brahma (supreme wisdom).
An ideal idol, made with devotion and strict adherence to the ancient iconographical texts is a Yantra– a ritual device that reduces the gap between the human and mortal realm.
Hindu religion allows the devotee the freedom to worship any deity they feel a personal connection (Bhakti) toward; however, picking the right idol for your home is a complex task.
To understand the dos of picking a suitable idol of a Hindu god for your home, you should know a thing or two about which god idols should not be kept at home or what precautions should be taken when you are choosing an idol online for your Puja temple.
Shiva Lingam
A Shiva Lingam is the most potent representation of Mahadeva along with the powers of Devi Parvati.
A home where the Shiva Lingam is worshipped daily with devotion becomes the abode of Lord Shiva.
However, ritual experts advise against keeping more than one Shiva Lingam in your home.
More than one Shiva Lingam in your house can reduce its effectiveness and the positivity that emanates from them.
Gods And Goddesses In Wrathful Mood
Hindu gods and goddesses are divine beings who play the tasks of creating, preserving, and destroying.
For example, Devi, the primordial divine feminine takes different forms like Durga, Kali, Parvati, Lakshmi, and Saraswati to perform various roles. Sometimes she is Saumya (calm) and the others Raudra (fierce).
If you are not a Tantric follower of the deity, experts suggest not keeping idols where the goddess is in a warring mood.
Similarly, with other gods and goddesses, one should choose the idols that depict them in a benevolent mood, if you are looking to attain enriching boons from their presence through everyday worship.
Tantric Deities
Tantric goddesses– Mahakali, Tara, Bagulamukhi, Pratyangira, Varahi, and gods such as Bhairava (the fierce form of Shiva) and Narasimha (man-lion incarnation of Sri Vishnu) can be placed in your home only when you regularly offer them their prescribed Tantric worship.
If you are unaware of the methods and rituals that the worship of these deities entails, experts suggest avoiding bringing them to your household shrine.
Tantric deities are active and powerful and require strict adherence to Tantra rules in their evocation.
Half-hearted or incomplete worship can lead to diminishing their potency and distortion of the boons you want to receive.
Broken Idols
Shilpashastras- treatise dealing with rules of Hindu iconography opine that an idol of the divine should be complete- it should not be broken, chipped, or have any tiny fissures. Idols of gods that are damaged do not attract the divine element as its abode and are prone to become the residing place of negative energies.
In choosing an idol for your Puja Ghar, always pick a beautiful and whole and worship it with devoutness to receive the benevolence of the deity.
Idols Made From Impure Material
Hindu iconography and religious experts list several ritually prescribed elements fitting for fashioning the idol of a Hindu god or goddess.
Brass, copper, bronze (Panchaloha), and the wood of some trees and stones chosen by skilled Shilpis (sculptors) serve as the best material for sculpting a divine image.
In bringing an idol to your home, you should not pick one made from any other or unknown material.
Impure or unfamiliar constituents can diminish the fortune impact of an idol even when you worship it while following all the ritual rules.
Which God Idols Can Be Kept At Home?
This list of rules on which god idols should not be kept at home is not to dissuade you from getting the most exquisite icons of your god or goddess for your place of worship.