Hindu Gods and Goddesses

Hindus believe in one Supreme Reality and also in multiple gods. This apparent contradiction is the result of the practical application of an abstract concept. Given the limitations of the perceptive abilities of the body and mind it is not possible for humans to comprehend the Supreme Reality. Ancient Hindu seers offered a solution for this in the form of a multitude of gods. Wherever you turn, whatever you do there is a god or goddess associated with the act, present as a gentle reminder of the goal of human existence – moksha.

The Trinity and their Consorts

The Trinity in the Hindu pantheon consists of Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver and Shiva the destroyer. Worshipped as three distinct gods, they are facets of the one Supreme Reality, known in Hinduism as Brahman or Parabrahman.

Brahma the creator creates the world as we see it, Vishnu the preserver oversees that the world created by Brahma functions according to natural laws, and Shiva the destroyer ensures that all living beings on earth undergo ‘change’ when their time comes.

The consorts of the gods in the Hindu Trinity are goddesses in their own right. Saraswati, the consort of Brahma is the goddess of knowledge; Lakshmi the goddess of wealth is the consort of Vishnu; and Parvati, Shiva’s consort, is the goddess of power. The three goddesses are worshipped separately and also along with their spouses.

Goddess Gayatri is believed to the personification of the Supreme Reality. She is worshipped as the culmination of the Hindu trinity and their consorts in one all-encompassing form.


Vishnu’s avatars

While Brahma and Shiva are worshipped only in one form, Vishnu is worshipped in several forms, with ten of his incarnations being widely accepted and worshipped. Called avatars, some of these incarnations are worshipped devoutly even today. Narasimha – the part-lion and part-man manifestation, Rama – the epitome of perfection, and Krishna – the clever strategist who always strove to uphold dharma are the avatars of Vishnu, each with several temples dedicated to them. 


Lord Venkateshwara at Tirupati

Lord Venkateshwara, the lord of the seven hills in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh (South India), is Hinduism’s most popular god in present times. The hordes of devotees flocking to the temple in Tirupati everyday challenge the logistical abilities of the temple authorities. Lord Venkateshwara is believed to be Vishnu playing his role of the preserver in this eon.


Hanuman, Ganesha and Kartikeya

Hanuman, the monkey god, has a popular following. A monkey with supernatural powers, he was Lord Rama’s devoted helper. Devotees pray to him for devotion and courage.  Hanuman is believed to be an avatar of Shiva.

Ganesha, the rotund, elephant-faced god is the remover of all obstacles, and is worshipped lovingly all over India. His brother Kartikeya, worshipped mainly in South India, is believed to grant spiritual knowledge to his devotees. Both Ganesha and Kartikeya are sons of the divine couple Shiva and Parvati.

River goddesses

Hinduism grants rivers the status of ‘mother’, with the greatest being Mother Ganga – the River Ganges. All rivers are depicted as goddesses and are enshrined in temples on the riverbank. The Ganga aarti – a ritual worship of the river Ganges – is a daily affair that brings thousands of devotees flocking to the banks of the Ganga in Haridwar, Uttar Pradesh, in North India.

There is no hierarchy in this multitude of Hindu gods. There are just different reasons, like family practices, for instance, that make devotees worship one god or the other. Worship of any god is believed to be directed towards the Supreme Reality and takes you further along the spiritual path, closer to the spiritual goal of moksha.