Hinduism - Gods

1. In Hinduism Brahman is the supreme being, the master creator.

2. Brahman exists in everything and is the spirit of every living thing.

3. Hindu gods are all expressions of Brahman.

4. Brahman acts through the three principal Hindu gods.

5. They are Brahma who creates the universe, Shiva who destroys the universe and Vishnu who preserves the universe.

6. These three Hindu gods are known as the Trimurti.

7. Brahma is the Hindu god of creation.

8. He is often shown with four heads, bearded faces and four arms.

9. He recites one of the four vedas, which he holds in his hands, with each of his four heads.

10. Vishnu is the preserver and protector of the universe.

11. His role is to return to Earth in troubled times and restore the balance of good and evil.

12. Vishnu is shown with a human body, often with blue-coloured skin and four arms.

13. His hands always carry four objects in them, the conch, the chakra, or discus, the lotus flower and the mace.

14. Vishnu rides on the King of Birds, Garuda, an eagle

15. Shiva is a destroyer, but also a re-creator.

16. It is thought his powers of destruction get rid of imperfections in the world and pave the way for change.

17. This makes Shiva both good and evil.

18. Shiva is shown with a blue face and throat.

19. Shiva has third eye to show wisdom and a cobra necklace to show power over the most dangerous creatures.

20. The three lines on Shiva’s forehead show superhuman power and wealth.

21. His trident represents the three roles of the Trimurti.

22. Shiva is usually shown smiling and peaceful, dressed in a simple animal skin and sitting in a yoga position.

23. Ganesh, the son of Shiva and Parvati is a popular Hindu god.

24. Ganesh has an elephant head and human body, with a large stomach.

25. Ganesh is lord of success, destroyer of evil and obstacles.

26. Lakshmi is the Hindu goddess of wealth and beauty.

27. Lakshmi is the household goddess of most Hindu families.

28. She is shown as a beautiful woman in red clothes with gold coins flowing from her hands.