1. Deities Pantheon for Hindus The Trimurti Brahma: The creator Vishnu: The sustainer Shiva: The destroyer. The Three Main Focuses of Worship Vishnu: The sustainer Shiva: The destroyer. Shakti: (a.k.a. Devi, Parvati, Durga, etc.) The goddess (Mother Nature)

2. Deities Pantheon for Hindus Avatars of Vishnu Krishna: (top left, with his consort Radha) The cowherd boy. Sometimes Krishna – and less often Rama – is considered the original Godhead, rather than an avatar of Vishnu. The terms "Vishnu" and "Krishna" are almost synonymous, despite some debate about their respective positions. Rama: (second from top left, with his consort Sita) The ideal monarch Others Hanuman: (second from top right) The monkey warrior (connected with Rama) Lakshmi: (top right) The goddess of wealth and fortune, consort of Vishnu Saraswati: (bottom left) The goddess of learning and the arts, consort of Brahma Ganesh: (bottom right) (a.k.a. Ganapati) The remover of obstacles, a son of Lord Shiva Skanda: (second from bottom left) (a.k.a. Murugan, Karttikeya) Commander in chief of the devas (Demigods), a son of Lord Shiva Surya: (second from bottom right) The Sun god, one of the "administrative gods." He is one of five deities worshipped by the Smartas, who simultaneously venerate Vishnu, Shiva, Devi, Ganesh, and Surya. Sometimes considered a form of Vishnu (Surya-Narayana).

3. Deities Brahma Brahma is the creator god in the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity. He has four faces, looking in the four directions. Brahma is also known as Svayambhu (self-born) Though Brahma is often identified with the Vedic god Prajapati and Hiranyagarbha (the cosmic egg), he prominently features in the post-Vedic Hindu epics and the Puranic scriptural narratives. In the epics, he is conflated with Purusha. While Brahma is often credited as the creator of the universe and various beings in it, many Puranas describe him being born from a lotus emerging from the navel of the god Vishnu. Brahma does not enjoy popular worship in present- age Hinduism and has lesser importance than the other members of the Trimurti, Vishnu and Shiva.

4. Dieties Vishnu The peace-loving deity of the Hindu Trinity, Vishnu is the Preserver or Sustainer of life with his steadfast principles of order, righteousness and truth. When these values are under threat, Vishnu emerges out of his transcendence to restore peace and order on earth. Vishnu’s has ten avatars and the yet to appear 10th incarnation called the Kalki avatar. In his commonest form, Vishnu is portrayed as having a dark complexion – the color of passive and formless ether, and with four hands. On one of the backhands he holds the milky white conch shell or ‘sankha’ that spreads the primordial sound of Om, and on the other a discuss or ‘chakra’ – a reminder of the cycle of time - which is also a lethal weapon that he uses against blasphemy. It is the famous Sudarshana Chakra that is seen whirling on his index finger. The other hands hold a lotus or ‘padma’, which stands for a glorious existence, and a mace or ‘gada’ that indicates punishment for indiscipline. Out of his navel blossoms a lotus, known as Padmanabham. The flower holds Brahma, the God of Creation and the embodiment of royal virtues or ‘Rajoguna’. Thus, the peaceful form of Lord Vishnu discards the royal virtues through his navel and makes the Sheshnag snake that stands for the vices of darkness or ‘Tamoguna’, his seat. Therefore Vishnu is the Lord of ‘Satoguna’ - the virtues of the truth. Vishnu is often depicted as reclining on a Sheshanaga – the coiled, many-headed snake floating on cosmic waters that represents the peaceful Universe. The vehicle of Vishnu is the Garuda eagle, the king of the birds. Empowered with the courage and speed to spread the knowledge of the Vedas, Garuda is an assurance of fearlessness at the time of calamity. Vishnu is also known as Narayana and Hari. The devout followers of Vishnu are called Vaishnavas, and his consort is Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and beauty.

5. Dieties Vishnu 10 avatars Matsya fish Avatar Temple Sculpture at CR Park Kalibari, New Delhi Matsya (the fish) Avatar. Photo Credit: Temple Sculpture at CR Park Kalibari, New Delhi Fish that rescues Veda, plants and animals. One of the ten avatars of Vishnu that appeared in the Satya Yuga. Koorma (the tortoise) Avatar Tortoise that supports the churn of the ocean to obtain treasures dissolved in the ocean of milk. One of the ten avatars of Vishnu that appeared in the Satya Yuga. Varaha (the boar) Avatar Boar that raise the earth from the bottom of the sea. One of the ten avatars of Vishnu that appeared in the Satya Yuga. Narasimha (the man-lion): Man- lion who defies classification and overpowers mortals who seek to outwit death. One of the ten avatars of Vishnu that appeared in the Satya Yuga. Narasimha (the man-lion) Avatar Vamana (the dwarf) Avatar Vamana (the dwarf): Dwarf wh o claims the sky from the gods and buries the demons in the underbelly of the earth. One of the ten avatars of Vishnu that appeared in the Treta Yuga.

6. Deities Vishnu 10 avatars Parasurama (the angry man, Rama with an axe): Priest who turns to violence to kill unrighteous kings and unchaste women. One of the ten avatars of Vishnu that appeared in the Treta Yuga. Lord Rama (the perfect man, king of Ayodha): King who uploads old rules at the cost of personal life. One of the ten avatars of Vishnu that appeared in the Treta Yuga. Lord Krishna (the divine statesman): Cowherd/charioteer/statema n who shrewdly changes rules. One of the ten avatars of Vishnu that appeared in the Dwapara Yuga. Balarama (elder brother of Krishna): One of the ten avatars of Vishnu that appeared in the Dwapara Yuga. In many versions of the mythology, the ninth incarnation is often mentioned as Lord Buddha. The Parasurama Avatar The Rama Avatar The Krishna AvatarThe Balarama Avatar Kalki (meaning “eternity” / the mighty warrior): The last incarnation of Vishnu who is expected to appear at the end of Kali Yuga, the time period in which we currently exist, to rid the world of the oppression of its unrighteous rulers. The Kalki Avatar

7. Deities Shiva Shiva is 'shakti' or power, Shiva is the destroyer, the most powerful god of the Hindu pantheon and one of the godheads in the Hindu Trinity. Known by many names - Mahadeva, Mahayogi, Pashupati, Nataraja, Bhairava, Vishwanath, Bhava, Bhole Nath – Lord Shiva is perhaps the most complex of Hindu deities. Hindus recognize this by putting his shrine in the temple separate from those of other deities.

8. Deities--Durga Durga is the Mother Goddess and has various names-- Bhavani, Sherawali, Amba, Chandika, Gauri, Parvati, Vaishno Devi She represents the fiery powers of the gods. The name “Durga” means “inaccessible”, and she is the personification of the active side of the divine “shakti” energy of Lord Shiva. She represents the furious powers of all the male gods, and is the ferocious protector of the righteous, and destroyer of the evil. Durga is usually portrayed as riding a lion, and carrying weapons in her many arms Durga is usually portrayed as riding a lion, and carrying weapons in her many arms. She is the protector of the righteous, and destroyer of the evil. All Hindus celebrate this festival at the same time in different ways in different parts of India as well as around the world. Every year during the lunar month of Ashwin or Kartik (September-October), Hindus observe ten days of ceremonies, rituals, fasts and feasts in honor of the supreme mother goddess. It begins with the fast of “Navaratri”, and ends with the festivities of “Dusshera and “Vijayadashami.” Goddess Lakshmi means Good Luck to Hindus. The word 'Lakshmi' is derived from the Sanskrit word "Laksya", meaning 'aim' or 'goal', and she is the goddess of wealth and prosperity, both material and spiritual. Lakshmi is the household goddess of most Hindu families, and a favorite of women. Although she is worshiped daily, the festive month of October is Lakshmi's special month. Lakshmi Puja is celebrated on the full moon night of Kojagari Purnima. The Lakshmi Form Lakshmi is depicted as a beautiful woman of golden complexion, with four hands, sitting or standing on a full-bloomed lotus and holding a lotus bud, which stands for beauty, purity and fertility. Her four hands represent the four ends of human life: dharma or righteousness, "kama" or desires, "artha" or wealth, and "moksha" or liberation from the cycle of birth and death. dharma Cascades of gold coins are seen flowing from her hands, suggesting that those who worship her gain wealth. She always wears gold embroidered red clothes. Red symbolizes activity and the golden lining indicates prosperity. Lakshmi is the active energy of Vishnu, and also appears as Lakshmi-Narayan - Lakshmi accompanying Vishnu.Vishnu Two elephants are often shown standing next to the goddess and spraying water. This denotes that ceaseless effort, in accordance with one's dharma and governed by wisdom and purity, leads to both material and spiritual prosperity. A Mother Goddess Worship of a mother goddess has been a part of Indian tradition since its earliest times. Lakshmi is one of the mother goddesses and is addressed as "mata" (mother) instead of just "devi" (goddess). As a female counterpart of Lord Vishnu, Mata Lakshmi is also called 'Shri', the female energy of the Supreme Being. She is the goddess of prosperity, wealth, purity, generosity, and the embodiment of beauty, grace and charm. A Domestic Deity The importance attached to the presence of Lakshmi in every household makes her an essentially domestic deity. Householders worship Lakshmi for the well being and prosperity of the family. Businessmen and women also regard her equally and offer her daily prayers. On the full moon night following Dusshera or Durga Puja, Hindus worship Lakshmi ceremonially at home, pray for her blessings, and invite neighbors to attend the puja. It is believed that on this full moon night the goddess herself visits the homes and replenishes the inhabitants with wealth. A special worship is also offered to Lakshmi on the auspicious Diwali night.Dusshera or Durga PujaDiwali

9. Deities Krishna The Most Powerful Incarnation of Vishnu The great exponent of the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna is one of the most powerful incarnations of Vishnu, the Godhead of the Hindu Trinity of deities.Vishnu Of all the Vishnu avatars he is the most popular, and perhaps of all Hindu gods the one closest to the heart of the masses. Krishna was dark and extremely handsome. The word Krishna literally means 'black', and black also connotes mysteriousness. The Importance of Being Krishna People consider Krishna their leader, hero, protector, philosopher, teacher and friend all rolled into one. The Time of the Lord Indian as well as Western scholars have now accepted the period between 3200 and 3100 BC as the period in which Lord Krishna lived on earth. Krishna took birth at midnight on the ashtami or the 8th day of the Krishnapaksha or dark fortnight in the Hindu month of Shravan (August-September). The birthday of Krishna is called Janmashthami, a special occasion for Hindus that is celebrated around the world. The birth of Krishna is in itself a transcendental phenomenon that generates awe among the Hindus and overwhelms one and all with its supra mundane happenings.

10. Deities Rama Rama, the perfect avatar of the Supreme Protector Vishnu, The most popular symbol of chivalry and virtue, Rama - in the words of Swami Vivekananda - is "the embodiment of truth, of morality, the ideal son, the ideal husband, and above all, the ideal king." A Real Historical Figure: The seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Rama is said to have taken birth on earth to annihilate the evil forces of the age. He is widely believed to be an actual historical figure - a "tribal hero of ancient India" - whose exploits form the great Hindu epic of Ramayana or The Romance of Rama, written by the ancient Sanskrit poet Valmiki. How to Identify Rama: To many, Rama is hardly different in looks from Lord Vishnu or Krishna. He is most often represented as a standing figure, with an arrow in his right hand, a bow in his left and a quiver on his back. A Rama statue is also usually accompanied by those of his wife Sita, brother Lakshmana, and the legendary monkey attendant Hanuman.

11. Deities Hanuman Hanuman, the mighty ape that aided Lord Rama in his expedition against evil forces, described in the epic Ramayana, is one of the most popular idols in the Hindu pantheon. Believed to be an avatar of Lord Shiva, Hanuman is worshipped as a symbol of physical strength, perseverance and devotion. The character of Hanuman teaches us of the unlimited power that lies unused within each one of us. One of Vishnu's avatars is Rama, who was created to destroy Ravana, the evil ruler of Lanka. In order to aid Rama, Lord Brahma commanded some gods and goddesses to take the avatar of 'Vanaras' or monkeys. The god of wind, was reborn as Hanuman, the wisest, swiftest and strongest of all apes. Hanuman directed all his energies towards the worship of Lord Rama, and his undying devotion made him such that he became free from all physical fatigue. Hanuman perfectly exemplifies 'Dasyabhava' devotion — one of the nine types of devotions — that bonds the master and the servant. His greatness lies in his complete merger with his Lord, which also formed the base of his genial qualities. On Tuesdays and in some cases, Saturdays, many people keep fast in honor of Hanuman and give special offerings to him. In times of trouble, it is a common faith among Hindus to chant the name of Hanuman. Once every year — on the full-moon day of the Hindu month of Chaitra (April) at sunrise — Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated to commemorate the birth of Hanuman.

12. Dieties Saraswati Saraswati is the goddess of knowledge and learning, represents the free flow of wisdom and consciousness. She is the mother of the Vedas, and chants to her, called the 'Saraswati Vandana' often begin and end Vedic lessons. The goddess of wisdom, art and music, she is the daughter of Lord Shiva and Goddess Durga. It is believed that goddess Saraswati endows human beings with the powers of speech, wisdom and learning. She also represents the free flow of wisdom and consciousness She has four hands representing four aspects of human personality in learning: mind, intellect, alertness and ego. She has sacred scriptures in one hand and a lotus – the symbol of true knowledge – in the second. With her other two hands she plays the music of love and life on a string instrument called the veena. She is dressed in white – the symbol of purity – and rides on a white swan – symbolizing Sattwa Guna or purity and discrimination. As a practice, only educated people worship her for knowledge and wisdom. They believe that only Saraswati can grant them 'moksha' - the final liberation of the soul. Saraswati's birthday - Vasant Panchami - is a Hindu festival celebrated every year on the 5th day of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of Magha. Hindus celebrate this festival with great fervor in temples, homes and educational institutes alike. Goddess Lakshmi means Good Luck to Hindus. The word 'Lakshmi' is derived from the Sanskrit word "Laksya", meaning 'aim' or 'goal', and she is the goddess of wealth and prosperity, both material and spiritual. Lakshmi is the household goddess of most Hindu families, and a favorite of women. Although she is worshiped daily, the festive month of October is Lakshmi's special month. Lakshmi Puja is celebrated on the full moon night of Kojagari Purnima. The Lakshmi Form Lakshmi is depicted as a beautiful woman of golden complexion, with four hands, sitting or standing on a full-bloomed lotus and holding a lotus bud, which stands for beauty, purity and fertility. Her four hands represent the four ends of human life: dharma or righteousness, "kama" or desires, "artha" or wealth, and "moksha" or liberation from the cycle of birth and death. dharma Cascades of gold coins are seen flowing from her hands, suggesting that those who worship her gain wealth. She always wears gold embroidered red clothes. Red symbolizes activity and the golden lining indicates prosperity. Lakshmi is the active energy of Vishnu, and also appears as Lakshmi-Narayan - Lakshmi accompanying Vishnu.Vishnu Two elephants are often shown standing next to the goddess and spraying water. This denotes that ceaseless effort, in accordance with one's dharma and governed by wisdom and purity, leads to both material and spiritual prosperity. A Mother Goddess Worship of a mother goddess has been a part of Indian tradition since its earliest times. Lakshmi is one of the mother goddesses and is addressed as "mata" (mother) instead of just "devi" (goddess). As a female counterpart of Lord Vishnu, Mata Lakshmi is also called 'Shri', the female energy of the Supreme Being. She is the goddess of prosperity, wealth, purity, generosity, and the embodiment of beauty, grace and charm. A Domestic Deity The importance attached to the presence of Lakshmi in every household makes her an essentially domestic deity. Householders worship Lakshmi for the well being and prosperity of the family. Businessmen and women also regard her equally and offer her daily prayers. On the full moon night following Dusshera or Durga Puja, Hindus worship Lakshmi ceremonially at home, pray for her blessings, and invite neighbors to attend the puja. It is believed that on this full moon night the goddess herself visits the homes and replenishes the inhabitants with wealth. A special worship is also offered to Lakshmi on the auspicious Diwali night.Dusshera or Durga PujaDiwali

13. Dieties Goddess Lakshmi Goddess Lakshmi means Good Luck to Hindus. The word 'Lakshmi' is derived from the Sanskrit word "Laksya", meaning 'aim' or 'goal', and she is the goddess of wealth and prosperity, both material and spiritual. She is the goddess of prosperity, wealth, purity, generosity, and the embodiment of beauty, grace and charm Lakshmi is the household goddess of most Hindu families, and a favorite of women. Although she is worshiped daily, the festive month of October is Lakshmi's special month. Lakshmi Puja is celebrated on the full moon night of Kojagari Purnima. The Lakshmi Form Lakshmi is depicted as a beautiful woman of golden complexion, with four hands, sitting or standing on a full-bloomed lotus and holding a lotus bud, which stands for beauty, purity and fertility. Her four hands represent the four ends of human life: dharma or righteousness, "kama" or desires, "artha" or wealth, and "moksha" or liberation from the cycle of birth and death. Cascades of gold coins are seen flowing from her hands, suggesting that those who worship her gain wealth. She always wears gold embroidered red clothes. Red symbolizes activity and the golden lining indicates prosperity. Two elephants are often shown standing next to the goddess and spraying water. This denotes that ceaseless effort, in accordance with one's dharma and governed by wisdom and purity, leads to both material and spiritual prosperity. The importance attached to the presence of Lakshmi in every household makes her an essentially domestic deity. Householders worship Lakshmi for the well being and prosperity of the family. On the full moon night following Dusshera or Durga Puja, Hindus worship Lakshmi ceremonially at home, pray for her blessings, and invite neighbors to attend the puja. It is believed that on this full moon night the goddess herself visits the homes and replenishes the inhabitants with wealth. A special worship is also offered to Lakshmi on the auspicious Diwali night