About Hinduism

Hinduism is the third largest religion in the world, after Christianity and Islam.  It is a faith practiced mainly in India, though Hindus of Indian extraction are found around the world. 

Hinduism (also called  Sanatana Dharma, "The Eternal Religion," and Vaidika Dharma, "The Religion of the Vedas") is arguably the world's oldest extant faith, having evolved between 4000 and 2200 BC.  Many sects developed in the first centuries of the Common Era.   

Hinduism could be called a polytheistic religion, as there is a belief in many gods and goddesses.

However, there is thought to be a unity among those entities that could be likened to the Christian Trinity.  Hindus believe in the repetitious "Transmigration of the Soul" (AKA reincarnation), by which one's death is followed by rebirth in another form based on ones deeds (Kharma).  A noble life will lead to rebirth in an elevated form, while evil deeds will lead to reincarnation as a lower being, such as an insect or high government official.   

The Hindu Gods and Goddesses include:

The Vedic Gods and Goddesses

 Dyaush-pita (the Sky Father)

 Prithivi mata ( the Earth Mother)

 Vayu (the Wind God)

 Parjanya (the Rain God)

 Surya (the Sun God)

 Varuna (the God of oceans)

 Agni (the God of Fire)

 Indra (the God of War)

Soma (the God of Speech)

 Ushas (the Goddess of Dawn)

 Yama (the God of Death),  

 Adityas (a group of deities)

 Aswini (twin deities)

 Rudras (a group of deities)

 Vasus (a group of deities)

 Visvedevas (a group of deities)

 Brahma, The God of Creation

 Vishnu, The God of Preservation, who goes between Heaven and Earth in 10 different embodiments:

 Matsyavataram (form of a fish)

 Kurmavataram (form of a tortoise)

 Varahavataram (form of a boar)

 Narasimhavataram (form of a lion headed man)

 Vamanavataram (form of a dwarf)

 Parasuramavataram

 Ramavataram (form of a hero)

 Balaramavataram

 Krishnavataram (form of a hero)

 Kalkiavataram (a form yet to come)

Shiva, The God of Destruction

Saraswathi, Goddess of Wisdom, consort of Lord Brahma

Lakshmi, Goddess of Wealth, consort of Lord Vishnu

Parvathi, Goddess of Strength, consort of Lord Shiva

Ganesha, Son of Shiva & Parvathi, has the head of an elephant

Anjaneya (Hanuman), the Monkey God, serves Lord Rama

Navagrahas ("Planets," a group of gods and goddesses that help decide the fate of people):

 Surya Bhagavan (Sun)

 Chandra Bhagavan (Moon)

 Chevvai Bhagavan

 Buda Bhagavan

 Guru Bhagavan

 Sukra Bhagavan (Jupiter)

 Sani Bhagavan (Saturn)

 Rahu Bhagavan

 Kethu Bhagavan