Top 12 Hinduism gods and goddesses list
There are many Hinduism gods and goddesses which are worshiped with different rituals and prayers. India is a diverse country in the world. Here you found many religions also – Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Islam, and Christians.
In the world, Hinduism is the oldest and largest religion. More than eighty percent of people in India follow Hinduism.
Hindu God and Goddess in India
In this blog, we are talking about the Hinduism gods and goddesses in India. Many deities are worshiped with different rituals and prayers.
In Vedic shastra, each deity represents the force of nature, moral values, specialized values, and magical powers. Yoga and Hinduism are widely practiced in India.
Hindus worship their gods and goddesses with devotional prayers and respective traditions. Worshipers offer the prayer by offerings with mantras, flowers, Sweet (Prasad), incense, Prayers.
When you get inspired by these Hindu deities, you will find the source of their powerful energy through yoga and meditation.
Each yoga posture can give you magnificent strength from God into your daily spiritual practice.
What do we call God and Goddess in India?
In India, deities in Hinduism are referred to as Deva(masculine) and Devi (Feminine). Devi is also known as Mata means mother.
Here, three forms of Gods (Triad) are- Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh referred to as the creator, the preserver, and the destroyer respectively.
And in goddess Saraswati (goddess of learning, art, etc.), Laxmi (goddess of wealth), and Parvati (goddess of power, beauty) are known as Tridevi (the triad of the goddess).
There are a lot of gods and goddesses in Hinduism. The incarnation of God and goddesses have different names as per the Hindu stories and mythologic.
This blog is highlighting information about a few Gods and Goddesses.
Hinduism gods and goddesses list:
Here are the main Name of Hinduism gods and goddesses:
- Brahma
- Vishnu
- Shiva
- Ganpati
- Hanuman
- Saraswati
- Lakshmi
- Parvati
- Durga Devi
- Kali Ma
- Radha
- Tulsi Ma
God or Deva: –
Brahma
Brahma is called “the Creator” because he has created everything in the universe. He reminds us of the cycle of birth and death.
Lord Brahma is depicted with 4 faces which represents the completeness of knowledge. He has 4 hands which symbolize mind, ego, intellect, and consciousness.
Vishnu
Vishnu inspires us for the order, discipline, harmony of the universe. He is preserver and protector of the universe so he has more incarnations – Matsya (The Fish), Kurma (The Turtle), Varah(The boar), Narasimha (The half man and half lion), Vamana (The dwarf), Parshuram(Sage with an ax), Rama (Hero of the Hindu epic called the Ramayana), Balram(Older brother of Krishna), Krishna(Teacher of the sacred scripture called the Bhagavad Gita and as the friend and mentor of prince Arjun in the epic the Mahabharata), Buddha (The thinker), and Kalki (Eternity or Time). Kalki has not appeared yet but it is expected that it will appear at the end of Kaliyuga( one Hindu time cycle).
Shiva
Shiva is called “the Destroyer”, His role is to destroy the universe to things re-created. He destroys imperfection, illusion, or bad things.
Shiva is often shown as a deep meditator and dancer (Nataraja-Lord of Dance) state. He is usually dancing on the head of Apasmara (represents ignorance- the enemy of enlightenment).
When you travel in India, you can see “Lingams” in the temples which represent Lord Shiva. He protects his devotees from anger and greed.
Hindus often chant the mantra “Om Namah Shivay” before any rituals start. Lord Shiva is depicted with a snake around his neck which represents Life’s energy.
Ganpati
Ganpati is also known as Ganesha. He is a God of wisdom and remover of obstacles. Lord Ganpati is the first son of Lord Shiva.
He is one of the lovable and best-known gods for all Hindus in India. In Hinduism gods and goddesses he has a special place in the hearts of everybody.
Ganpati is recognized with his elephant head which symbolizes wisdom and knowledge. He is the ruler of astrology science, mantra shastra, and yoga.
It is auspicious to pray Ganesha before any special occasions, new projects, weddings, house warming. He gives good fortune to all his devotees.
Hanuman
Hanuman is also called as”King of Monkey and is a great devoted Hindu epic of the Ramayana.
He sacrificed his life to Lord Rama with great devotion and helping him with courage in many difficult situations at that time.
Lord Hanuman is represented as an ideal devotee with extreme strength, commitment, and loyal devotion.
Goddess or Devi
Saraswati
Saraswati is worshiped as the mother goddess of knowledge, wisdom, speech, art, and music. She is also called as mother of Vedas.
She is depicted as a beautiful goddess dressed in a white saree to symbolize pure illusion, seated on lotus which symbolizes truth and knowledge.
She has four hands with symbolic meaning as holding Book (Knowledge), Garland (Spirituality), Water Pot (Purifying Power), and Veena (Creative Art and Science) in hand.
Hindus offer prayer to Saraswati before beginning any intellectual activities in different projects or science also students offer prayers daily before starting school/college.
Lakshmi
Lakshmi is the principal goddess of fortune, wealth, and prosperity. She is the wife and divine energy of Lord Vishnu. In each incarnation of Vishnu, his wife Laxmi has accompanied him.
She is depicted in Indian Art as dressed up in an elegant golden saree with an owl as her vehicle.
She stands on a lotus pedestal holding a lotus in hand symbolizing knowledge, wealth, and fortune.
All Hindus worship Goddess Lakshmi on Diwali. Countless Stotras and shlokas are recited during Goddess Lakshmi rituals.
Parvati
Parvati is the mother of Lord Ganesh and wife of Shiva. She is the daughter of mountain Himalaya, and she won Shiva’s affection only after rigorous ascetic discipline. She is the goddess of power.
The Ardhanarishavara (the half male and half female) is a composite form of Shiva and Parvati. Parvati- Shiva is symbolized by a yoni and a linga respectively.
Yoni means womb and place of gestation. The linga-yoni icon is often called Shivalinga. This icon represents the interdependence and union of feminine and masculine energies in the recreation and regeneration of life.
Durga Devi
Durga Devi is called a Divine goddess which protects from jealousy, hatred, and ego forces. She always protects mankind.
She is represented for protection, destruction, strength, and motherhood. Devotees offer prayers during the festival of Durga Puja and Navratri.
Durga is depicted with many hands holding numerous weapons to destroy all evil powers around the universe.
Kali Ma
Kali Ma is also called Kalika. She is one of the most powerful forms of Shakti. She destroys the evil power to protect the innocent ones. She is Adishkati the one who bestows liberation.
Kalik appeared in verse of Mahabharata in the dreams of Pandavas during an attack by Drona’s son Ashwatthama.
She is often shown wearing a tiger skin and the belt of human arms and a garland of human heads.
Her tongue is stuck out to swallow the negative thoughts. As because of her terrible form of look she is considering a protector.
Radha
Radha Ma is also called Radhika the dearest companion of Lord Krishna. She is worshiped as the goddess of Love, Compassion, and devotion.
She was the chief of Gopis(Milkmaids). She is called Shakti of Lord Krishna. She is considered as an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi. There are many temples all over India.
Tulsi Ma
Tulsi Goddess is called an incarnation of Lakshmi. The offering of tulsi (basil) leaves is mandatory in rituals or worship of Lord Vishnu. She is a symbol of wifehood and motherhood.
The person who waters and offers prayers to the Tulsi plant daily is believed to gain moksha. The Plant is worshiped twice a day- early morning and evening. In the evening, women lighten the ghee lamp near the Tulsi plant which is considered prosperous.
All Hindus perform the Tulsi Vivah between Prabodhini Ekadashi and Kartika Pournima, it is the wedding of Tulsi with Lord Vishnu.
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Conclusion
We see above the Top 12 Hinduism gods and goddesses list. Hinduism is a treasury of many traditions and rituals.
Hindus worship many gods and goddesses as per their tradition. They believe in God a lot.
