Profiles
Ganesha — Widely revered; especially prominent in Ganapatya, Shaiva, Shakta, and Smarta contexts; symbols include elephant head, broken tusk, mouse or rat vehicle, modaka sweet, noose and goad.
Shiva — Especially important in Shaiva traditions; widely revered across Hindu communities; symbols include trident, drum, third eye, crescent moon, Ganga, serpent, ash, linga, Nandi.
Vishnu — Supreme or central in many Vaishnava traditions; widely revered elsewhere; symbols include conch, discus, mace, lotus, crown, Garuda, reclining on Shesha.
Krishna — Especially important in Vaishnava traditions, with distinct Krishna-centered lineages; symbols include flute, peacock feather, cows, butter, lotus, discus in royal forms.
Rama — Especially important in Vaishnava traditions; revered as prince, king, and avatar of Vishnu; symbols include bow and arrows, royal bearing, often shown with Sita, Lakshmana, and Hanuman.
Hanuman — Widely revered; especially connected with Rama devotion and many Vaishnava contexts; symbols include mace, mountain of herbs, opened heart showing Rama and Sita, tail, kneeling devotion.
Lakshmi — Widely revered; especially important in Vaishnava traditions and household worship; symbols include lotus, elephants, water, coins, red or gold garments, gesture of blessing.
Saraswati — Widely revered in learning, music, arts, and speech; especially visible in educational settings; symbols include vina, book or manuscript, rosary, white garments, lotus, swan or goose.
Durga — Especially important in Shakta traditions; widely revered as protective and sovereign Devi; symbols include lion or tiger, multiple arms, weapons, lotus, red garments, buffalo-demon scene.
Kali — Especially important in Shakta traditions, with major regional and tantric contexts; symbols include dark complexion, garland, tongue, sword, severed head imagery, standing with Shiva.
Parvati — Important across Shaiva, Shakta, and Smarta traditions; understood through many forms; symbols include mountain, lotus, mirror, household and ascetic imagery, lion in some forms.
Brahma — Creator deity in many Puranic cosmologies; not to be confused with Brahman, ultimate reality; symbols include four faces, Vedas, water pot, rosary, lotus, swan or goose.
