Hindu Dharma with the infinite wisdom of great sages and innumerable sects and strands is like a great banyan tree, living, and breathing with multiple branches sprouting from it.
In the ritual tradition of Hinduism, the choice of deity to be welcomed in your home is considered a question of personal faith, and the devotee is allowed to bring home the god to which they feel a devotional connection (Bhakti).
It is a tradition in Hinduism for the devotee to choose one tutelary god, also known as “Ishta” Devata or Devi, who they worship as the supreme divinity for the rest of their lives. The Idol of Ishta Devata or Devi is brought and ritually instated in the Puja ghar and worshipped daily.
Shaivas (followers of Shiva) place a Shiva Linga or Lord Shiva statue in their home, Shaktas (worshippers of the great goddess) pay adulations to a Maa Durga or Maa Kali statue, and Vaishnavas (devotees of Vishnu) keep idols of Vishnu or one of his incarnations, mostly Sri Krishna and Sri Rama in their place of worship.
The prevalent system of worship in Hinduism resonates with the Smarta tradition (rooted in Smritis or the Vedas) which gives equal regard to all gods and goddesses and lays no strict ritual rules for the followers.
Five (Pancha) deities, namely Shiva, Shakti, Vishnu, Ganesha, and Surya are considered primary figures, and their combined worship is called Panchayatan Puja. The ritual space in Puja becomes the Panchayatan of the deity which is placed in the center, surrounded by the other four.
Followers of Shiva, also known as Shaivas usually place a Shiva Lingam, the most potent form of Mahadeva in the main shrine of their house. Seekers of conjugal bliss bring Shiva-Parvati statues, while those aiming to bring overall happiness in their homes worship the Shiva Parivaar, the divine family of Shiva with Parvati, Ganesha, Karttikeya, and Nandi.
12" Brass Shiva Parivar
Vaishnavas worship the divine four-armed Chaturbhuja form of Sri Vishnu, but some of them prefer to revere a particular incarnation out of the Dashavatar of Bhagwan Vishnu.
Seekers of inner strength worship Narasimha, people willing to nurture divine qualities worship Sri Rama, seekers of stability and wisdom worship Varaha, and those looking to attain supreme wisdom of the Vedas pay adulations to Lord Hayagriva.
Bhagwan Dhanavantari (Lord of Medicines), Tirupati Balaji, and Vishnu Sheshashayi are some other forms in which Vishnu statues are placed in the home shrines.
People looking for overall balance and auspiciousness in life also worship Vishnu-Lakshmi statues. Idols of Bhagwan Krishna and Krishna-Radha statues are favored by the Vaishnavas who worship Krishna as their Ishta.
Vishnu-Lakshmi In The Glory Of Their Togetherness
Lord Hanuman, the devotee of Bhagwan Rama and one of the eight Chiranjeevi (immortals) is one of the most popular deities of Hinduism and his idols, with Sri Rama Darbar or independently are placed in many Indian homes to gain mental and physical strength.
Sri Ganesha is the Prathama-Pujya or the first worshipped god in Hinduism, which is why every Hindu household, irrespective of its affiliation has at least one Sri Ganesha statue in their place of worship.
Ganesha-Lakshmi-Saraswati, the trinity of the divinities is welcomed in the home Puja temple on the occasion of Diwali and considered propitious for the well-being and growth of the household.
17" Brass Ganesha Seated on Singhasan with Inlay Work | Handmade
Shakti, the primordial female energy in Hinduism is mandatorily worshipped alongside the primary male deities as their counterpart- idols of Vishnu-Lakshmi, Shiva-Parvati, and Ganesha with Riddhi and Siddhi are placed in the Puja ghar to bring auspiciousness and positivity.
Devi is also independently worshipped and exquisite Maa Durga statues, goddess Kali idols, and icons of Devi Saraswati, Lakshmi, Parvati, and Annapurna are kept at the home of Hindu devotees.
Ardent worshippers of Hindu-Tantra keep statues of Dashamahavidyas, the ten great wisdoms, such as Kali, Bhuvaneshwari, and Rajarajeshwari, and worship them for a specific spiritual or material goal.
Statues of goddess Pratyangira, goddess Varahi, and Mariamman are placed in the Puja-ghar of Tantric worshippers, the followers of the great goddess, and worshipped with strict and specified rituals.
62" Large Sized Goddess Maa Durga | Mahishasurmardini: Mother of the universe
Surya, the Sun god is also the king of the Navagraha or Nine Planets and is worshipped as their head and remover of all planetary Doshas. Statues of Surya Deva on his chariot or wall hangings of Surya surrounded by his resplendent rays are kept in the home to remove negative energies from life.
Along with Surya, other planetary gods such as Shani, Mangala, and Chandra, are also worshipped by individuals to aim at receiving their beneficial energies in life. Navagraha cluster, which includes all the nine planets is ritually treated by those who want to have an overall auspicious impact of the nine planets in their lives.
8" Surya (Sun) - One Of The Nine Planets
A ritually complete Puja-ghar includes attributes of the god and goddess who are placed in the home. Worshippers keep Vishnu’s Sudarshana Chakra, Shiva’s Nandi and Trishula, and Devi’s trident and Devi mask in their homes to surround themselves in a divine ambiance.
Deepa, the ritual lamp itself is considered “Deepa Devata” and it is believed that only a Deepa made from pure materials can result in fulfilling worship.
The illustrations given here are only an entry point into the vastness and depth of the ocean that is Hindu dharma. It would not be a stretch to state that for every devotee there is a divinity here. Which God Idols Should Not Be Kept At Home?
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We are here to help you with our online collection of over 10,000 Hindu gods and goddess statues made from pure materials such as brass, bronze, copper, and stones. Click here and end your quest for a supremely divine icon for your home.
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