Indian Gods Statues

Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa, one of the principal teachers of Swami Vivekananda once said, “Many are the names of God and infinite the forms through which He may be approached.” In Hinduism one of the most dominant forms of praise and worship is idolism. Indian gods’ statues can be found in most homes, offices, even cars. Indians living in a number of different countries have embraced this approach to in a way preserve their belief and faith in the higher power. With oriental religions like Hinduism, Taoism and Buddhism gaining popularity throughout the world, various statues of gods and goddesses are not only being procured for worship, but also as a means to add a special touch to the décor.

There are a wide variety of sculptures available in the market today. If you are not a resident of India, you may want to search for dealers and statue makers listed on the Internet for your procurement needs. With a large number of online dealers that are committed to supplying products that are made using top grade materials and are high in quality, buying such religious statues online is a great idea. Not only does this save you time and effort of looking for a shop or company in close proximity to your city, but it also gives you the flexibility to take your time in making the right choices in terms of what you want, and provides ample convenience as most items are delivered to your doorstep if need be.

All you have to do is choose the figure you most desire. You can choose from a variety of different statues of Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, Lord Krishna, Goddess Parvati, Goddess Saraswati, Goddess Lakshmi, etc. You can also find statues of Shreenathji, Jain saint Parshvanath, Shakuntala, Saibaba, Ram Sita, Ram Darbar, Jalaram, and the like. Most of these statues come in small or medium sizes and in a wide range of materials like brass, fiberglass, silver, wood, ceramic, glass, etc. These statues are durable in addition to being finely carved and amazingly beautiful. Since Indian artisans are known for their delicate and intricate carvings, for the most part this beauty is what you will be paying for. The minute details on the many statues are what bring the mere piece to life.

So, the next time you are out shopping for Indian gods’ statues keep a few things in mind. Remember that you are paying the premium for its beauty not material used, so look for a detailed piece that exudes exquisiteness. Also, buy a statue with its purpose in mind. If you are going to use it as a decorative piece, the size and style should go with your home’s décor. Lastly, acquire the statue from a reputed source as this ensures a good quality product.

Statues of Ganesh

The God of wisdom, attainment and prosperity, Ganpati or Ganesha is in all probability one of the most loved and worshipped deities in Hinduism. In fact, there is a ten-day festival celebrated in India, Nepal, and by Hindus living in the United States, Canada, Fiji, Singapore, etc., starting on Ganesh Chaturthi and ending on Anant Chaturdashi. This festival marks the birth of Lord Ganesh as one of the superior gods. The beloved elephant-headed God is believed to bestow his presence on all who worship him during these ten days of celebrations. The festival begins with setting up of statues of Ganesha at homes and podiums especially built and exquisitely decorated for the festival.

On the last day of the festival, Anant Chaturdashi these statues are immersed in water. Traditionally the statues were made out of mud, but through the years they transitioned into materials like Plaster of Paris, which is not environmentally friendly. People have now become aware of the environmental danger and damage this enormous amount of Plaster of Paris does to the rivers, lakes and hence the eco-system, and started considering alternatives like using a permanent idol made out of stone, fiberglass, fiber reinforced plastic (FRP), or metals.

There are a number of options available in the market nowadays. You can find the simplest idols if that is how you interpret the power of Lord Ganesh or the most intricately carved figure that holds every minute detail about the idol right from having his Modak (sweet offerings) and mouse by his feet, to his Parashu (axe), Pasha (lasso) and Ankusha (hook) in his hands. These idols come in a variety of sizes, styles and details that you can choose from, according to your preferences and purpose of acquiring the statue. While many might see the statues as an idol for worship, there are a large number of people who like buying statues of this deity for decorative purposes, as a gift for special occasions, and some even collect different Ganesh statues as almost each is distinct and unique in its own way.

Statues of Ganesha may be portrayed dancing or standing, but most popularly sitting on a throne with a protruding belly, his weapons in hand, mouse and sweets called modaka or laddus by his side. The sheer skill of the artisans and their craftsmanship can be witnessed through some of the more intricately worked on elaborate idols of this deity. Owning such piece of art, a statue of Ganesha, regardless of its size or purpose is something you can take pride in for years to come.

Statues of Parshvanath Bhagavan

An ancient religion from the Indian sub-continent, Jainism shows the way to supreme bliss and liberation through ways of harmlessness and renunciation. There was a time when it was believed that most of the Jain population dwelled in India, but today followers of this beautiful religion are situated all over the world. As two of the prominent figures in Jainism are Bhagavan Mahavira and Bhagavan Parshvanath, small and big statues of these Gods are a part of a majority of Jain households.

While the profound religion has not been founded by a single great soul, prophets called tirthankaras or ford-makers have revealed the different facets of Jainism and shown the way for achieving supreme spirituality and liberation to the followers. In what jains call the present age, there have been twenty-four tirthankaras namely Adinatha (Rushabhnath), Ajitnatha, Sambhavanatha, Abhinandana Swami, Sumatinatha, Padmaprabhu, Suparshvanath, Chandraprabhu, Suvidhinath (Pushpadanta), Shitalnatha, Shreyansanatha, Vasupujya Swami, Vimalanatha, Anantanatha, Dharmanatha, Shantinatha, Kunthunatha, Aranatha, Mallinatha, Muni Suvrata Swami, Naminatha, Neminatha, Parshvanatha, and Mahavira (Vardhamana).

Bhagavan Mahavira and Bhagavan Parshvanatha are the two most loved tirthankaras. While stories and teachings of Mahavira are popular and carry all five principles of Jainism, namely no lying (satya), no stealing (asteya), no possessions (aparigraha), no violence (ahimsa), and chastity (brahmacharya), the 23rd tirthankara, Parshvanatha is closely associated with amnesty and compassion and preached the first four principles excluding chastity. Statues of Mahavira and Parshvanatha represent the three jewels of Jainism; Right Faith – Samyak Darshana, Right Knowledge – Samyak Jnana, and Right conduct – Samyak Charitra.
The two main festivals for Jains are Paryushana and Diwali. While Diwali is a festival celebrated by Hindus as well, Paryushana or Dasa Laksana, also known as Parvadhiraj is typical of Jainism and is believed of having the power of showing the path of salvation. During the eight days of Paryushana, followers pray, worship, meditate, and fast. With a purpose to purify the soul by looking inward, this festival is widely practiced by followers of Jainism, teachings of Parshvanatha and Mahavira.

Principles like not eating after sunset, not consuming food items like garlic, onions, potatoes, etc. are still followed throughout the year by some staunch jain families.

Idols of the 24 tirthankaras of the Jain religion are identical as they represent the same qualities and virtues. However, there is one unique symbol placed at the bottom or top of each idol to help differentiate between them. Statues of Parshvanatha are distinct, always represented with a hood of a three, seven or eleven headed snake (naga), while lord Mahavir’s idols can be easily recognized by the presence of the symbol of a lion at the bottom. The statues of the 23rd and 24th tirthankaras are not only popular among the Jains, but also among Hindus and art-lovers for what they represent.

Deity statues and idols

One need not be a devout Hindu or overtly religious to place deity statues and idols in their homes. Many consider Hindu God statutes as auspicious and pious and pray to them everyday. But if you just like the way these statues look in your home even though you are from a different religion or faith group, you can go ahead and adorn your home with them; they are said to bring luck and happiness.

Some of the popular Hindu Gods are Lord Ganesh, Lord Krishna, Goddess Laxmi and Goddess Saraswati. Every Hindu will have a statue of at least one of these above-mentioned Gods in their homes to bring them good fortune and prosperity. Hinduism is a very old religion, dating back to a time before Christ. Hinduism is a term used by many to categorize religious beliefs based on the Vedas and Vedic traditions.

Hinduism teaches you to be tolerant to every different belief and idea. Many people would even state that Hinduism is a way of life rather than a religion; it can be aptly defined as a Religious Tradition. It is one of the oldest religions in the world and is also the most diverse as it preaches tolerance and respect. Hinduism is characterized by its belief in reincarnation and Karma (Karma is not considered as being a punishment but instead it is an expression, or rather a consequence of acts).

Every different God and Goddess symbolizes something unique and special. Lord Ganesh is the easiest God to recognize as he has an elephant head, a big, round belly and a jovial personality. People pray to him as he is the remover of hindrances and he is the Lord of beginnings. Lord Krishna is an indispensable figure in Hinduism. He is the personification of Lord Vishnu and is unanimously considered by most Hindus as being the Supreme Being. It is a common and well known fact that Lord Krishna originally spoke the whole Bhagavad-Gita.

Krishna’s birthday, also known as Janmashtami is celebrated every year in the month of August or September. This is a very colorful event also known as Dahi Handi. A clay pot, filled with Krishna’s favorite food – buttermilk, is positioned at a significant height. It is then broken by making a huge human pyramid. Handis are set-up in every nook and cranny of some Indian cities, especially in and around Maharashtra. Indians abroad too celebrate this festival by gathering in groups, praying together and eating special food, prepared using specific ingredients.

Deity statues and religious idols are an integral part of Hinduism. Hindus love their Gods and Goddess with unquestionable faith and celebrate their birthdays and special occasions with happiness and enthusiasm.

Statues of Indian Goddesses Kali and Maa Durga

Statues of Indian Gods or Goddesses can be found in every religious Hindu household all across the world. Even in places like Nepal and Bali, you can come across statues of Indian Goddesses Kali and Maa Durga, depicting scenes from Hindu mythology.

One of the most popular Goddess in the Hindu mythology is Durga, an avatar of Lord Shiva’s wife, Goddess Parvati. In Sankrit, the word Durga means a protected place or fort, but in Hinduism the Goddess Durga stands for “the invincible”. Her devotees and followers also call her Maa Durga, Durga Maa, or the Divine Mother. The many forms of Durga include Kali, Bhawani, Shantadurga, Mahishasurmadini, Amba, Jagdhatri, Annapurna and Tara. A multi-dimensional Goddess with many facets, her pictorial or idol is symbolic of power and strength. She has eight arms and she is always riding a lion or a tiger; she is almost always clothed in shades of red. The distinct quality of this idol is that even though she carries weapons and a lotus flower with her, she always has a calm smile on her face.

She is the personification of femininity, purity, knowledge, self-realization and truth, and exists in the state of Svatantrya that literarily means she is free from the universe and self-sufficient. Maa Durga is prayed to as the protector of mankind from known and unknown evils in times of distress.

Kali or Kalika is an avatar of Goddess Durga emoting visible anger. This form of Durga is deeply associated with everlasting energy. While Kali is the Goddess of destruction, her name comes from the Sanskrit word Kala, which means black. Even though, she is depicted as violent, Kali is also prayed to as Bhavatarini, the redeemer of the universe. With her tongue out and with many destructive weapons in her numerous hands, the dark goddess’s idol is unique.

Considered the Goddess of change and changing times, Kali is one of the fiercest tantric Goddesses. Some of her pictures and statues also show her standing on Lord Shiva, her consort. It is believed that in her pose as Daksinakali, Kali was drunk on the blood of her victims and she began dancing like there is no tomorrow. In her vehemence she did not see the body of her husband, Lord Shiva, lying among the corpses on the battlefield. Ultimately the cries of Shiva attracted Kali's attention, calming her fury. As a sign of shame for having disrespected her husband, Kali sticks out her tongue. If Kali steps with right foot and holds sword in left hand she is considered to be Dakshinakali and if the Kali steps out with the left foot and holds sword in her right hand, she is terrible form of Mother, the Smashan Kali.

Hindu mythology is complex and has many connotations; therefore different people have different beliefs. Statues of Indian Goddesses Kali and Maa Durga are often acquired as decorative pieces or for praying.

Carved Statues of Indian Gods and Goddesses

Carved statues of Indian Gods and Goddesses have become a great objet d’art to place in your home in order to decorate it, and give it a feeling of warmth and wellness. Thanks to the spotlight that eastern cultures bask in now, many people around the world, irrespective of their religion recognize the different Gods and Goddesses of India and understand the significance of placing statues of different deities in the residence.

Some of the known Gods in Hindu Mythology are Lord Ganesh, Lord Krishna, Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Saraswati. Placing statues of these deities are very common in Indian households and you will find one of these Gods or Goddesses in almost every Hindu home. These idols are either placed as art or even prayed to everyday by the worshippers.

With number of options depicting different forms of the almighty, and his expressions, you can choose an idol based on your beliefs and also one that goes well with your home decor. You can choose from a wide variety of statues like Shreenathji, Parshvanath, Ram, Jalaram, Saibaba, and Ganesh with Devi Parvati. All these artifacts are religious by nature but they don’t make your home feel overtly spiritual. Your place of residence is an extension of your personality and if you take pride in your culture and beliefs, this could be a way of showcasing that to the world.

Hindu mythology states that the three supreme Gods. They are, Lord Bhramha – the creator of the universe, Lord Vishnu who is the Protector or the Preserver of the universe, and Lord Shiva who is the Destroyer. Hindus around the world worship different avatars of Gods and Goddesses and this choice depends largely on family beliefs, communities and traditions. Some of the most worshipped Goddesses in Hinduism are Lakshmi – the deity of wealth and prosperity, Saraswati – the Goddess of knowledge, Parvati – the mother of Lord Ganesh, Durga – an aggressive avatar of Goddess Durga, and Kali who is considered the eternal energy Goddess.

Hinduism is a complex and multifaceted religion, and all the Indian Gods and Goddesses are respected and prayed to with enormous zeal and enthusiasm, thus for Hindus such idols mean more than just artifacts to decorate the home. But, with people across the world becoming more aware of other religions and cultures, these carved statues can now be spotted at the trendiest restaurants, lounges, buildings and art lovers’ houses, thanks to their beautifully intricate work.

Krishna Statues, Lakshmi Statues and Vishnu statues

India is home to many Gods and Goddesses, which are unique in their own way and have their own following of zealous devotees who believe in them with indefinite conviction. For example, Krishna statues, Lakshmi Statues and Vishnu statues find a place in the homes of millions of devotees the world over.

Krishna is a vital figure in Hindu Mythology. Said to have written the Bhagavad Gita, this avatar of Lord Vishnu is considered as the one and only God, the Supreme Being. The deity was one of the chief figures in the Mahabharata, in addition to the many fascinating stories and legends that are associated with his name and time. It is very easy to recognize an idol of Krishna, as his skin and color are usually represented in shades of black or blue, wearing a yellow or orange silk dhoti, with the unmistakable peacock feather on this head. Often painted or sculpted as a young boy playing the flute, you can be sure of finding many statues of Krishna where he is playing the flute and his one leg is bent in front of the other.

Lakshmi or Mahalakshmi is known as the Goddess of wealth, light, wisdom, fertility and prosperity. She is the quintessential lady, who has beauty, grace and charm. Known to bring good fortune to those who pray to her, entreating this Goddess is said to protect you from financial troubles and difficulties. Being the daughter of the powerful deity Durga, Saraswati, Ganesha and Karthikeya are Lakshmi’s siblings. Lakshmi is referred to by a number of names like Prakruti, Vikruti, and Vidya, but since she is connected closely to the lotus flower, most of her names emit the essence and being of the lovely flower.

Vishnu is one of the principal forms of God. Known best as the preserver of the universe, he is the Pramatma or the Highest soul and Parameshwara or the Highest God, and is praised as the supreme essence of all beings. Said to be the ultimate teacher of the past, the present and the future, he is the supreme authority that presides over the universe. Vishnu is omnipresent; he is shapeless and is the ultimate reality. If he is to be represented in paintings and sculptures, there is a very strict idealization that has to depict him. The idol is a four-armed male form; the two front arms represent his physical existence while the two arms behind signify his spirituality.

All these Gods and Goddesses are an integral part of Hindu Mythology and just the mere placing of Krishna statues, Lakshmi statues and Vishnu statues in the home can give devotees a sense of inner calm and divinity.