1. Hindu Basics

2. History No known founder of Hinduism
Hybrid of polytheism and monotheism--Worship many gods and goddesses to help them understand Brahma.
Combination of Indus Valley Civilization and Aryan Civilization
Vedas and Upanishads: The sacred texts are thought to be the ultimate authority.

3. 3 Prominent Gods Brahma Vishnu Shiva
*Have over 330 million different celestial beings in the area.
**Brahman is the one god that all avatars and celestial beings are a part of.
***Be sure not to confuse Brahma, Brahman and Brahmin (learn about later.)

4. Brahma – the Creator The creator of everything.
Depicted with 4 heads and 4 arms.
Each head recites a Veda.

5. Vishnu – the Preserver Preserver and protector of the universe.
Depicted with a conch shell, chakra (mind), lotus and mace.

6. Shiva – the Destroyer The transformer or destroyer.
Sometimes manifest as Nataraja (Lord of the Dance.)

7. Kali—Goddess of Destruction
Typically depicted wielding a sword and a decapitated head.
She wears a necklace of human skulls and stands on a corpse.
Many Hindus revere her because they think that worshiping her will bring enlightenment.
Other female deities include Lokshmi, Parvati, and Durga

8. Pilgrimages
Pilgrimages: 4 big pilgrimage sites at each of the compass points.
Many Hindus visit all of them.
Takes 10 weeks.
Rameshavaram in the south 
Dwarkadheesh in the west 
Cacutta by following the Ganges (north) 
Puri in the East

9. The Ganges River
The Ganges starts in the Himalayas and supplies water to the holy city of Varanasi.
Hindus believe that bathing in the river can help balance a person’s karma.
Many people visit the Ganges every year.
Many deposit the ashes of their loved ones in the river.

10. Hindu Calendar
Each month begins with the new moon which means holidays and festivals are on different dates from year to year.
Some Holidays:
Magha: Winter solstice festival
Chaitra: Spring festival
Bhadrapada: Celebration of siblings
Karttika: New Years, festival of lights

11. Mandir (Hindu Temple) Each Mandir is dedicated to a specific god.
There is a shrine to the god containing an image or painting of the god/ess.
Each morning priests and worshippers, decorate the shrine with fresh flowers, candles, fruit and incense.
Puja (daily worship) is performed at dawn, noon, dusk and midnight.

12. Temple (Continued)
Worshipers focus on the deity then offer a food offering.
Temple Video

13. Bharata Natyam
A lot of sculptures in Hindu Temples mimic the motion from early Temple dances.
Bharata Natyam Dance Video

14. Hindu Symbols
Ancient symbol of auspiciousness, good fortune, and protection
Represents the eternal wheel of life rotates upon an unchanging center, God
Hindus believe it protects them from evil spirits and natural disasters
Pre-dates Nazi Germany

15. Symbols (Continued)
“Om” a visual and oral representation of Brahman used as a mantra.
Cows
Believed that the celestial cow was created by Lord Krishna and that gods sometimes visit Earth in the form of cows.

16. Symbols (Continued) The lotus bud.
Symbolizes the birth of the universe.