1. Comparative Religions

2. Gods and Goddesses Hinduism is a not truly a polytheistic religion.

3. Annapurna She is the goddess of food and cooking. She is empowered to supply food to an unlimited amount of people

4. Ganesha The elephant-headed god The Lord of all beings Got the title after he won a contest with his brother. All Hindu ceremonies begin by invoking Ganesha

5. Maya The goddess of illusion She creates the ignorance of the individual self.

6. Balrama The symbol of strength. An obedient son The ideal brother and husband He symbolized duty, honor, and simplicity

7. Garuda King of the birds Often acts as a messenger between the gods and men

8. Ramayana (Ram) The 7 th incarnation of Vishnu The main character in the Ramayana Epic The complete guide to the path of righteousness

9. Bhuvaneshwari Queen of the phenomenal world Interested in the welfare of her subjects

10. Hanuman Monkey deity Renowned for his courage, power, and faithful service

11. Saraswati Goddess of knowledge, music, and all the creative arts. She is also called Vak Devi – the goddess of speech

12. Brahma One of the Hindu trinity He is the creator The daily alteration of light and dark is attributed to Brahma

13. Indra King of the gods. Ruler of the heavens. God of thunder and rain. A great warrior. Symbol of courage and strength

14. Shakti Divine force that seeks to destroy demonic forces and restore balance Can be thought of more as an energy source than true god

15. Buddha The 9 th incarnation of Vishnu

16. Kali A ferocious form of the Divine Mother Goddess of time and the transformation that is death

17. Shiva Part of the Hindu trinity Known as the destroyer

18. Dhanwantri The physician of the gods

19. Kartikay Scientist of the gods

20. Dhumavati The smoky form of shakti The eternal widow The one without radiance She’s ugly!

21. Krishna 8 th incarnation of Vishnu Embodiment of love and divine joy that destroys all pain and sin Protector of sacred utterances and cows A trickster and a lover Born to establish the religion of love

22. Vamana 5 th incarnation of Vishnu

23. Durga Manifested when evil forces threaten the existence of the gods

24. Kurma 2 nd incarnation of Lord Vishnu

25. Vishnu Part of the Hindu trinity Preserver and protector of creation

26. Ganga Goddess who is the Ganges River

27. Lakshmi The goddess of light, beauty, good fortune, and wealth

28. Matangi Invoked to achieve command over speech, creativity, and knowledge