Hinduism is an ancient and rich cultural tradition, enriched by practices as old as human civilization. Pilgrimage, worship, festive celebrations, and special rituals, are many ways in which religiosity is expressed and celebrated in India and Hindu culture. Among the different methods, one in particular- the worship of statues of gods and goddesses is a historical and powerful tradition.
From the simple local temples of the early days to the grand structures of the early medieval period and the beautiful home Puja ghar that we see today, Hindu gods and goddesses established in the form of large and small statues are not just representational but are seen as the presence of the deity in the human world.
Though every icon is powerful and auspicious always, there are special Hindu festivals on which a certain god or goddess is awakened more powerfully, and bringing their statue home on that particular festival ensures that the devotee experiences their positive impact more strongly in their lives.
In this blog, we will take a look at a few festivals and occasions and the deities associated with them, to understand why some days are better than others to bring your favourite deity home.
In the early days, gods and goddesses of family and kin (Kula-Devata and Devi), Village (Grama Devata and Devi), guardians of land (Kshetrapala and Sthan-Devata), and great gods and goddesses such as Ganesha, Shiva, Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati, all were represented in simple mud, wood and stone statues.
As time passed, with the development of monumental art, these deities were sculpted in large stone statues and metal icons and worshipped in grand temples and shrines. The texts on iconography as well as Puranas and epics sing the glory of a beautifully sculpted icon of God and goddess, which can bring auspiciousness, safety, and success.
Made with pure metal, wood, stone, and precious material, statues of the divine are sources of fortune for anyone who worships them. A statue of a Hindu god and goddess can be found in every Hindu home. Worshipped regularly these are the Ishta Devata or Devi, the tutelary gods, and goddesses. Besides the everyday worship, there are certain gods and goddesses whose statues are brought home on the occasion of a festival.
People believe that welcoming a particular deity on the day and festival assigned to them will fill their lives with the blessings of that deity. Let us begin with our exploration of festivals and occasions and the gods and goddesses associated with them-
Ganesha Chaturthi or Vinayaka Chaturthi is a popular Hindu festival that remembers the birth of the most auspicious Ganapati. The day is filled with joyous celebrations all over India and the world. A central part of the celebrations is the bringing of a Ganesha statue home.
The entire family, especially in Maharashtra and regions of Gujarat goes out to meet and bring the Ganesha statue to their houses. With pomp and show, the idol is brought and with rituals, Ganapati is established in the place of worship.
While traditionally a mud idol of Ganesha was preferred, nowadays, people also bring a permanent statue made from brass, bronze, wood, and stone, of Ganesha for everyday worship on the fortunate day of Chaturthi.
🔗 The Festival of Ganesha Chaturthi: Welcoming Auspiciousness🔗 Ganesha Chaturthi – A symbol of Unmatched Devotion, Celebration and Immersion
The birth of the dotting and charming Sri Krishna in Indian culture is observed annually as Krishna-Janmashtami. Songs are sung welcoming the little god home, sweets and dishes are prepared and the hearts of Krishna devotees are filled with happiness. Integral to this celebration is the statue of Krishna, which is established in the Puja ghar with elaborate rituals and aarti performed by the family members.
Statues of Krishna popularly placed in home Puja temple are the Bala-Krishna roopa (Krishna’s childhood form), Laddoo Gopala (a variation of Bala Krishna, holding a ladoo or sweet in his hand, a form which is also adorned with clothes and jewelry regularly), Tribhanga Murari or fluting Krishna and Radha-Krishna.
🔗 The Story of Krishna’s Birth from Srimad Bhagavata Purana
The occasion of Durga Puja, the festival of Navaratri (the nine nights of the goddess) in India is a time of bliss and divinity. The goddess in all her forms is worshipped across the country, the most popular one being her roopa of Durga- the multiple-armed warrior goddess riding a lion or tiger. Devotees of the goddess bring icons of Durga to their place of worship during these festivals consecrate them and establish them with due rituals.
Some of the most cherished forms of the great goddess Durga are her characteristic ten or eight armed idols Simhavahini or Shera Wali Maa (goddess on lion), the face of goddess Durga and Kali as a wall hanging, Durga as Mahishasuramardini, Devi Mariamman and other Tantric aspects of the Devi, which are established during the Durga Puja and Navaratri.
🔗Navaratri - Celebrating the Symbolic Vision of the Goddess🔗The Festival of Navaratri in Hinduism: Matra & Pooja Vidhi
The festival of lights, the evening and night of Deepawali is a powerful occasion when the negativity and darkness of the world are dispelled with the brilliance of lamps and light. People celebrate the return of Sri Rama and welcome auspiciousness and success in their lives with rituals and community celebrations.
One of the many ways that the festival of Deepawali is celebrated in India and the world is by the welcoming of the idols of Lakshmi-Ganesha-Saraswati, the trinity that bestows wealth, fortune and wisdom or Lakshmi-Kubera, the deities of wealth and money in home.
These icons are worshipped with special mantras and rituals by individuals and families on the occasion of Diwali, which is considered a special time for attaining material and spiritual upliftment. People also worship the Sri Yantra, a Tantric device associated with the supreme goddess. The idols are made from pure materials such as brass, bronze, copper, stone, and wood and with regular worship become a source of wealth and richness for the family.
🔗A Timeless Diwali Ritual: The Significance of Lakshmi-Ganesh Puja
The night of Shiva, Shivaratri is a special festival for the devotees of Mahadeva, who wait the entire year to celebrate the might and powers of their Lord. Shiva temples are crowded with bhaktas, seeking a chance to perform Abhisheka and Puja of the Shivalinga. Many devotees also bring the statues of Shiva to their homes on the occasion of Shivaratri.
The most powerful and popular aspect of Shiva is the Shiva-Lingam, the representation of his cosmic energies. A Shiva Lingam made with marble, metal, and precious stones is perfect for everyday consecration, which is an important part of worshipping Shiva in this form.
Other roopa of Mahadeva such as Uma-Maheshwara, Shiva-Parivar, and Nataraja are also loved by devotees, who find the festival of Shivaratri the best time to establish the icon in their home to experience the serene aura of Shiva in their lives.
🔗 Maha Shivaratri and its Stories from the Puranas
Besides the popular Hindu festivals which are a major time when devotees across the world bring statues of Hindu gods and goddesses into their homes, there are many other culturally significant occasions on which tradition suggests that one should welcome deities in the form of icons in the ritual space, in order to ensure the successful completion of new tasks and auspicious results.
These occasions are weddings, Griha-Pravesha (entering a new home), Katha, Jaagaran and Vrata (occasions when sacred texts are read, religious songs are sung, and people gather to worship one deity in particular to whom the celebrations are dedicated), and occasions of personal importance such as Saadhana (ritualized worship or meditation on a god or goddess for spiritual goals).
👉 Weddings- Weddings are a time of joy for the families involved. Hindu rituals related to weddings focus on seeking the blessing of family gods and goddesses (Kula Devata and Devi) along with the worship of deities such as Ganesha, Gauri (Parvati), and Lakshmi-Vishnu or Shiva-Parvati (divine duos who embody marital perfection). Idols of these gods are established often and worshipped before, during, or after the marriage rituals, to ask for their blessings for the newly wedded couple.
👉 Griha-Pravesha- Buying a new home is one of the most promising and blissful new beginnings for anyone. The space created with one’s hard-earned money promises a time of success and happiness heralding upon the family. And who better to bless the new space than the Prathama Pujya (first worshipped) God Ganesha, who removes obstacles and bestows fortune? People often bring a small Ganesha statue for a corner of their new home or welcome a large sculpture of Ganesha, to ensure that their new home is filled with the positive aura of Ganapati.
👉 Katha, Jaagaran, and Vrata- Devotees often worship their Ishta with special narration of Katha (stories) from the Puranas dedicated to that particular deity on certain occasions, arrange for a Jaagaran (literally-waking up) where they together with family and friends worship a god or goddess with songs and aarti all through a night to show their devotion or perform Vrata when they observe fast and rituals.
All these religious ceremonies need the presence of the deity who is being worshipped, for which people establish a statue of the god or goddess in their home or Puja space. Deities such as Durga, Krishna, Santoshi Mata, Satyanarayana, Sri Rama, and Vishnu are worshipped through Katha, Jaagaran, and Vrata by their devotees, and their beautiful statues are revered with the belief that the deities themselves are present in the arena to observe the religiosities.
👉 Occasions of Personal Importance- When an individual chooses the path of spirituality, they are often guided by a Guru (master) towards one deity, whose powers and piety they are meant to mediate upon, in order to attain higher levels of wisdom. This is an integral part of Saadhana, the ancient Indian way of ritualized meditation and practice for finding the supreme truth. An image of the Ishta (personal deity) is important for the purpose of Saadhana, which helps focus the mind and create a positive energy around the practitioner.
Every Hindu statue is an ever-auspicious presence in your space and life. However, there are certain things that you can keep in mind to find the perfect statue for any occasion.
👉 Getting a statue with which you feel an instant spiritual connection is important. Before anything else, a heartfelt link with the deity and the form that the icon depicts is vital, which allows you to truly immerse yourself in the ritual and experience the powers of the deity with an open heart.
👉 What are the characteristics of the deity that you are seeking or what is your goal behind bringing a deity home? For example, a small Ganesha idol is perfect for an office or study table while a more elaborate one can be placed in the Puja Ghar and an even larger one can be placed in your garden or hall. Understanding your aim before buying a statue makes the process of finding the perfect idol very simple.
👉 Choosing an idol that is made with pure material such as brass, bronze, copper, stone and valuable gemstones is another important point. One should always pick a statue that is made of the right material and has all the iconographical features that are traditionally prescribed by the manuals of Hindu art and iconography.
To ensure this, always purchase your statues from a website or brand that has been working in the field for a long time and is known to bring only the best to their customers.
Hindu statues are a symbol of India’s ancient religious traditions, which are repositories of cultural beliefs and sacredness. Each material used in making these statues is a time-tested one, by the artists and sages, who found them to be the perfect home for divine energies. Exotic India Art continues the tradition of preserving the sacred art of Hindu statues.
A curated collection of idols of Hindu gods and goddesses for every occasion is available here, made with purest material and perfection of iconography. Visit the website today and find your favorite deity to make special occasions even more special.
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