1. Main Hindu Gods & Goddesses
There are four main sects within Hinduism: Shaivism, in which Shiva is worshipped as the main god; Vaishnavism, in which
Vishnu is the main god; Shaktism, in which the female aspect of god is primarily worshipped; and Smartism, in which six
main gods are worshipped: Shiva, Vishnu, Shakti, Ganesh, Murugan and Surya.
The Trimurti (Hindu Trinity)
Brahma
Shaktis (Females Aspects)
Saraswati
The Creator
Goddess of Knowledge,
Music, and the Arts
Vehicle: Swan
Vehicle: Swan
has 4 heads, 4 arms, and a wife of Brahma; sits on a white
reddish complexion; not
lotus playing a veena
commonly worshipped;
not to be confused with
Brahman (the ground of all
being) or the Brahmin (priestly
caste)
Vishnu
Lakshmi
The Preserver
Goddess of Wealth and
Prosperity
Vehicle: Garuda (bird)
Vehicle: Owl
has 4 arms, a blueish
complexion, and rests on a
snake; was incarnated (born
as an animal or human) nine
times with one more still to
come; is the main god
of Vaishnavism
wife of Vishnu
usually shown bestowing
coins and flanked by
elephants
Shiva
Parvati
The Destroyer /
Transformer
The Divine Mother
Vehicle: Bull
Vehicle: Lion
has matted hair, a third eye, a the reincarnation of Shiva's
blue throat and a trident in his
first wife; has many forms,
hand; often worshipped in the such as the popular Durga
featureless lingam form; is the and Kali (see below); often
main god of Saivism
shown together with Saraswati
and Lakshmi as
the tridevi ('triple goddess')
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2. Hindu Gods & Goddesses – Page 2
Other Popular Gods
Ganesh
Murugan
God of the Intellect and the
Remover of Obstacles
God of War
Vehicle: Mouse
Vehicle: Peacock
son of Shiva & Parvati
has an elephant's head
son of Shiva & Parvati
popular in Tamil areas
also known as Skanda
Durga
Kali
A fiercer form of Parvati
Goddess of Time
and Death
Vehicle: Tiger
Vehicle: Donkey
has ten arms holding many
weapons
usually portrayed as dark and
violent
Rama
Krishna
The 7th Avatar
(Incarnation) of Vishnu
The 8th Avatar
(Incarnation) of Vishnu
the central figure in the epic
story Ramayana
usually portrayed as a child
and a prankster; often shown
playing the flute
Hanuman
Surya
God of the Sun
an ape-like god known for
assisting Rama
pulled on a chariot by horses
© 2012, UsefulCharts.com. This chart may be photocopied and distributed in print form without limit so long as it is given free of charge.
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Find more great charts at www.usefulcharts.com