HinduismComparative Religions

Gods and GoddessesHinduism is a not truly a polytheistic religion.

AnnapurnaShe is the goddess of food and cooking.She is empowered to supply food to an

unlimited amount of people

GaneshaThe elephant-headed godThe Lord of all beingsGot the title after he won

a contest with his brother.All Hindu ceremonies

begin by invoking Ganesha

MayaThe goddess of illusionShe creates the

ignorance of the individual self.

BalramaThe symbol of strength.An obedient sonThe ideal brother and

husbandHe symbolized duty,

honor, and simplicity

GarudaKing of the birdsOften acts as a

messenger between the gods and men

Ramayana (Ram)The 7th incarnation of

VishnuThe main character in

the Ramayana EpicThe complete guide to

the path of righteousness

BhuvaneshwariQueen of the

phenomenal worldInterested in the welfare

of her subjects

HanumanMonkey deityRenowned for his courage, power, and

faithful service

SaraswatiGoddess of knowledge, music, and all the

creative arts.She is also called Vak Devi – the goddess of

speech

BrahmaOne of the Hindu trinityHe is the creatorThe daily alteration of light and dark is

attributed to Brahma

IndraKing of the gods. Ruler of the heavens. God

of thunder and rain. A great warrior. Symbol of courage and strength

ShaktiDivine force that

seeks to destroy demonic forces and restore balance

Can be thought of more as an energy source than true god

BuddhaThe 9th incarnation of

Vishnu

KaliA ferocious form of

the Divine MotherGoddess of time and

the transformation that is death

ShivaPart of the Hindu trinityKnown as the destroyer

DhanwantriThe physician of the gods

KartikayScientist of the gods

DhumavatiThe smoky form of

shaktiThe eternal widowThe one without

radianceShe’s ugly!

Krishna8th incarnation of

VishnuEmbodiment of love

and divine joy that destroys all pain and sin

Protector of sacred utterances and cows

A trickster and a loverBorn to establish the

religion of love

Vamana5th incarnation of

Vishnu

DurgaManifested when

evil forces threaten the existence of the gods

Kurma2nd incarnation of Lord

Vishnu

VishnuPart of the

Hindu trinityPreserver and

protector of creation

GangaGoddess who is

the Ganges River

LakshmiThe goddess of light,

beauty, good fortune, and wealth

MatangiInvoked to achieve

command over speech, creativity, and knowledge