Hindu Gods/deities

Hinduism is a polytheistic religion, meaning it involves the worship of many gods. Each deity represents different aspects of Brahman, the Ultimate Reality, or Supreme Power in the universe.
The most well-known deities are part of the Trimurti, or Hindu Trinity. These are Brahma the Creator, Vishnu the Preserver, and Shiva the Destroyer. They symbolise the cycle of creation, preservation, and destruction in the universe.
Brahma, as the Creator, is often depicted with four heads, signifying the four directions (north, south, east, and west) and the four Vedas (sacred Hindu texts). His task is the creation of the universe.
Vishnu, the Preserver, is said to maintain the balance of good and evil on Earth. He has taken numerous forms or avatars, including Rama and Krishna, to restore the balance when it has been upset.
Shiva, the Destroyer, is also revered as the deity of dance and the arts. He symbolises the constant cycles of creation and destruction, and his influence tweaks and fine-tunes human lives.
Another important deity is Goddess Durga, seen as the mother of the universe and believed to be the power behind the creation, preservation, and destruction of the world.
Goddess Lakshmi, the wife of Vishnu, represents wealth, fortune, and prosperity- both material and spiritual.
Other gods and goddesses have specific roles and powers, such as Saraswati, who is revered as the goddess of knowledge, learning, wisdom, and music.
Ganesh, the elephant-headed god, is the remover of obstacles and is often worshipped at the beginning of important ventures, while Hanuman, the monkey god, represents courage, power, and faithful, selfless service.
Devotees usually have personal gods or ‘Ishvara’, which may vary greatly among individuals and communities.
Puja, or daily worship, and other rituals are often focussed towards these numerous deities.
Hindus believe that all these deities are manifestations of the one Supreme God, Brahman.
Images, or ‘murtis’, of gods and goddesses are used as a focus for worship in temples and homes. The murti is seen as a symbolic representation, not as an idol.
Many Hindus believe in Atman, the soul, which is divine and a piece of Brahman.
Hindus celebrate many festivals, such as Diwali, Navaratri, and Holi, which honour these deities.
It’s important to remember that interpretations of the roles and numbers of deities may vary widely among different sections of Hindus owing to the regional, cultural, and sectarian diversity within Hinduism.