Hindu India
Hinduism, India's major faith, is practised by around 80% of the population. It has no central authority and is not a proselytising religion. Essentially, Hindus believe in Brahman, who is eternal, uncreated and infinite. Everything that exists emanates from Brahman and will ultimately return to Brahman. The multitude of gods and goddesses are merely manifestations – knowable aspects of this formless phenomenon.
Brahman
The One; the ultimate reality. Brahman is formless, eternal and the source of all existence. Brahman is nirguna (without attributes) and is often described as having three main representations, the Trimurti: Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.
Fascinating Hindu Temples
Vittala Temple, Hampi
Kailasa Temple, Ellora
Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi
Hadimba Temple, Manali
Shiva Temple, Elephanta Island, Mumbai
Brahma
Only during the creation of the universe does Brahma play an active role. At other times he is in meditation. India has few Brahma temples today. His consort is Saraswati, the goddess of learning, and his vehicle is a swan. Brahma is generally depicted with four (crowned and bearded) heads.
Vishnu
The preserver or sustainer, Vishnu is associated with ‘right action’. He protects and sustains all that is good in the world. He is usually depicted with four arms, holding a lotus, a conch shell (which can be blown like a trumpet so symbolises the cosmic vibration from which existence emanates), a discus and a mace. His consort is Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and his vehicle is Garuda, the man-bird creature. The Ganges is said to flow from his feet.
Shiva
Shiva is the destroyer – to deliver salvation – without whom creation couldn’t occur. Shiva’s creative role is phallically symbolised as the frequently worshipped lingam. With 1008 names, Shiva takes many forms, including Nataraja, lord of the tandava (cosmic victory dance), who paces out the creation and destruction of the cosmos.
Sometimes Shiva has snakes draped around his neck and is shown holding a trident (representing the Trimurti) while riding Nandi, his bull. Nandi symbolises power and potency, justice and moral order. Shiva’s consort, Parvati, is capable of taking many forms.
Other Prominent Deities
The Hindu pantheon is said to have a staggering 330 million deities. Elephant-headed Ganesh, son of Parvati and Shiva, is the god of good fortune, remover of obstacles, and patron of scribes (the broken tusk he holds was used to write sections of the Mahabharata). His animal vehicle is the ratlike Mooshak.
Krishna is an incarnation of Vishnu sent to earth to fight for good and combat evil. His dalliances with the gopis (milkmaids) and his love for Radha have inspired countless paintings and songs. Hero of the Mahabharata epic, Krishna is depicted with blue skin, and is often seen playing the flute.
Hanuman, king of the monkeys, is a hero of the Ramayana epic and loyal ally of its protagonist Rama. He embodies the concept of bhakti (devotion).
Among Shaivites (followers of the Shiva movement), shakti, the divine creative power of women, is worshipped as a force in its own right. It is embodied in the ancient goddess Devi (divine mother), who is also manifested as Durga and, in a fiercer evil-destroying incarnation, Kali.
Reincarnation
Hindus believe that earthly life is cyclical: you are born again and again (a process known as samsara). Living a righteous life and fulfilling your dharma (moral code of behaviour; social duty) will enhance your chances of being reborn into a higher caste and better circumstances. Alternatively, if enough bad karma has accumulated, rebirth may take animal form. But it’s only as a human that you can gain sufficient self-knowledge to escape the cycle of reincarnation and achieve moksha (liberation).