Questions tagged [idols]
An image or representation of a god used as an object of worship.
99 questions
0
votes
0
answers
37
views
Is it common to install idol of Shri Vishnu atop of Yoni like in this picture? What does it signify in tradition?
This is the picture of our clan god where idol of shri vishnu is installed on a yoni (shakti). What does this arrangement signify in tradition?
0
votes
0
answers
33
views
what is the Sthala Purana of the "bleeding idol" temple in Telangana?
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/soul-search/this-lord-narsimha-idol-in-india-bleeds-from-the-navel-heres-why/photostory/106213965.cms
The heart of the temple is the idol of Lord ...
- 1
0
votes
2
answers
71
views
Can the Vigraha (Deity) of Lord Krishna or Jaggantha be worshipped even while cooking / consuming non-veg and alcohol?
Will this give any reverse/negative effects in life?
- 1
1
vote
1
answer
104
views
Do idol worshippers don't get moksha or is this statement symbolic(not literal)?
Maitrey upnishad chapter 2 verse 26
To one desiring liberation worship of idols made of stone, metal, gem
and clay results only in the experience of rebirth; hence the sage
should perform the worship ...
user32378
0
votes
0
answers
46
views
What happens when Pran-Pratishta is done to an idol?
What happens when Pran-Patithasta is done to an idol ?
Does God start residing in the idol ?
- 6,947
1
vote
2
answers
145
views
Is the Rāma Lalla murti that's up for consecration designed in accordance with the shāstras?
Jai Sri Rama
As you all are aware about the recent consecration of Rāma Lalla's idol in the newly constructed Ayodhya temple.
At first when a quick glance of the idol was revealed, people were not ...
1
vote
0
answers
35
views
Abandoned vigrahas
Namaskaram to all !
I am planning to set up a temple inside my house. I wish to do prana-pratishta of the vigraha, offer naivedya twice everyday, recite sahasranam etc. The deity is Venkateswara.
But ...
- 39
0
votes
0
answers
95
views
Extremely large vigrahas at home [>7 feet]
I would like to know if it is permissible to keep a large vigraha of a deity at home, specially when it exceeds 7 feet. Is it allowed to keep such a large vigraha at home, in a special room like ...
- 39
1
vote
0
answers
39
views
Difference between santhana gopalakrishna and navaneetha gopalakrishna
In case of murthi of santana gopalkrishna, he holds butter in one hand. In case of navaneetha gopalskrishna he holds butter in both hands. I am curious of this difference. I know the 24 roopas of ...
1
vote
1
answer
92
views
Where do the scriptures mention Ashtvinayak temples?
Ashtvinayak are eight holy self made (Swayambhu) idols of Lord Ganesh. All of them are in Maharashtra, namely Chintamani, Siddhivinayak, Vigneshwar, Ballaleshwar, Varad vinayaq, Mahaganpati, ...
- 67
1
vote
0
answers
71
views
Ancient words on back of vigraha in Devanagari
This maybe the back of a Jain tirthankar idol. What language are the words?
- 759
1
vote
0
answers
39
views
Is mind-based idol worship superior to the sensory format?
I always regarded idol worship as requiring the external, physical, gross, but here it says:
The Deity form of the Lord is said to appear in eight varieties —
stone, wood, metal, earth, paint, sand, ...
- 21
1
vote
0
answers
159
views
Is the Gudimallam lingam a testament to Shivling being phallic?
The gudimallam lingam which dates anywhere around 1 BC to 2 AD is probably the oldest surviving shivling. This however is unmistakably phallic in nature. Does this prove that shivling is a penis after ...
1
vote
0
answers
48
views
Can you tell or recommend about the books which is based on Shilpa Shastra?
Can anyone provide me with the information of some books which deals with Shilpa Shastra i.e rules and regulations for making a Moorti or Vigraha of a certain Devi/Deva?
- 91
1
vote
0
answers
810
views
Position of Shankha, Chakra, Gadha and Padma in Vishnu's hand
Śrī Viṣṇu to Agnibindu explains different forms of Mūrtis
O Agnibindu of great intellect! Listen, I am enumerating to you (the different forms), O sage. Beginning with the first right-hand (upper) ...
- 3,397
2
votes
0
answers
86
views
How should one interpret srinathji art?
Knowing that SriNathji represents the eight year old krishna, it's unusual that some depictions of SriNathji are unpleasant, eg some are mean looking, some scary, etc.
Its values are derived from and ...
- 21
2
votes
0
answers
113
views
Are the Brahma Sutras saying that idols are the physical forms of the Gods?
If it be said that (the corporeal individuality of the gods involves) a contradiction to (sacrificial) works; we deny that, on account of the observation of the assumption (on the part of the gods) of ...
- 400
1
vote
0
answers
78
views
Do Tantra Texts Or Hindu Texts Mention Eco-Friendly Kali/Durga Idols Visarjan
Festival idols question : Hey guys, do Hinduism texts say anything about carrying out puja rituals in a way that is eco-friendly ?
Kinda alarming to see the visarjan of Kali/Durga Maa idols.
So much ...
2
votes
0
answers
133
views
Hindu Texts Kali Wearing Sari ? Idols Question
Just wondering about this, in many Kali Puja, Shyama Puja ceremonies they have Kali murti atop MahaDev as per usual. But she is sometimes wearing full on rich brocade sari with almost bridal level ...
2
votes
0
answers
45
views
How to do trataka on a deity/idol?
I want to know about doing trataka on idol/deity what's the method, what's the benifits and which deity the best to start with
- 667
3
votes
0
answers
32
views
Mention of Valmiki installing the Saraswathi idol in Brahmanda Purana
The following excerpt is taken from the puranic story of Basara Gnana Saraswathi temple
ఆది కవి వాల్మికి ఇక్కడ సరస్వతీ దేవిని ప్రతిష్టించి రామాయణం వ్రాసాడని
బ్రహ్మాండ పురాణం వివరిస్తుంది.
Brahmanda ...
- 32k
3
votes
0
answers
272
views
Who are the two women standing next to Manasa Devi?
I'm a huge Manasa Devi fan. When you see Manasa Devi murtis, often there are two women with her, one on either side. Do you guys know who they are exactly ?
user27626
5
votes
1
answer
189
views
Kamakshi Ambal having in her hands
Above is an image of Kamakshi Ambal. I've searched many places on the objects that she's holding in her arms. While searching, I found many other deities also having the similar/same objects in their ...
- 493
2
votes
1
answer
204
views
is it specified how idols in temples should be dressed (garments, ornaments etc.)?
Male idols typically wear dhotis, female idols sarees. there are also non-human idols like sudarshana chakra.
should they be dressed in specific ways per scripture?
- 1
4
votes
1
answer
127
views
Is it mentioned to not keep the following idol without offerings?
I heard from several people to not keep the idle of maa kali anywhere if we are not providing any offerings. And if we keep the idol then it will harm the surroundings.
Is it true? Does it have any ...
- 32k
5
votes
0
answers
103
views
What is the procedure for removing "powerful/energetic" materials from home?
If someone brought powerful materials like sri chakra, yantras, and salagramas and kept them in their home. Then they should pray to them with special procedures. If they don't offer special worship ...
- 32k
2
votes
0
answers
133
views
Which scripture contains the details about the aniconic idols of the three pañcāyatana deities - Sūrya, Gaṇeśa, and Devī?
It is well known that besides being worshipped in their 'saguṇa' mūrti forms, both Śiva and Viṣṇu are also worshipped by their 'self-manifested' aniconic idols viz - the Śivaliṅga [Bāṇaliṅga ( बाणलि...
- 13.7k
3
votes
2
answers
293
views
Which other texts besides Padma Purāṇa describe a deity having scriptures as parts of their body?
In the Svarga Khaṇḍa of the Padma Purāṇa, we get a beautiful composition, where various Purāṇas are described as parts of the body of Śrī Hari Viṣṇu himself.
Here's the description:
श्रीपाद्मे महापुरा...
- 13.7k
0
votes
0
answers
968
views
Ganesh idol not disolving in water, next course of action
We had made small Ganesha idol from modeling clay (we are based outside India). We did the visarjana pooja and immersed the idol in a steel container containing water.
Later I realized that the idol ...
- 273
1
vote
0
answers
27
views
What is the reference in Vāstusūtra Upaniṣad which mentions significance of Murthi worship?
I came accross an answer on Quora regarding Vāstusūtra Upaniṣad that it mentiones the significance of Murthi (or idol) worship as an inducive step in making a devotee contemplate about the formless ...
- 185
1
vote
0
answers
38
views
Eyes of the Gods
I saw this image of Sri Narasimha statue :
Why His eyes are depicted in that way?
- 2,014
2
votes
0
answers
51
views
Meaning of "Lakshmi murti(moorti) mantra"?
I know what "moorti" means in Sanskrit. But what does a moorti mantra mean? For example, Lakshmi murti mantra- does it mean a mantra for the deity to manifest in corporeal form? Please ...
- 129
4
votes
1
answer
124
views
Eco-friendly Ganesha idol?
Is it okay to have an eco-friendly Ganesha idol at home at this Ganesha Chaturthi? My mom says, as per Hindu parampara kumbhar (potters) and carpenters make the idols and we shouldn't make it.
Also, ...
3
votes
2
answers
528
views
Can someone please provide the method of worship for Manasa Devi?
I have read that Manasa Devi is worshipped using a cactus, tree branch or snake idol. Is this correct? Can someone please provide more information regarding the correct procedure to worship Manasa ...
- 1,348
5
votes
1
answer
227
views
What is the meaning of three-headed Bhairav idols and Shiva Purana 3.8.2?
Shiva Purana 3.8.2 states:
Bhairava is the prior form of Siva, the great soul. Fools who are deluded by Śiva’s Māyā do not know about it.
Bhairavaḥ pūrṇarūpo hi śaṃkarasya parātmanaḥ | mūḍhāstaṃ vai ...
- 2,533
3
votes
2
answers
381
views
If Hinduism has only 33 gods made of brahman, then who are the many Graam devtas that we have?
I have understood that primarily we have 33 gods and these gods are brahman attribute forms of parabrahman But if we go to any tiny village of the country, there will be some graam devta or the ...
- 944
1
vote
1
answer
221
views
Do idols/deities in the temple have soul and consciousness or only prana
I have read about what happens exactly during a prana prathista ritual. I understand that certain procedure is followed for instilling prana in an idol. But I want to know if the idol does have any ...
- 944
1
vote
0
answers
177
views
Why is lord hanuman worshipped in the form of stone, side faced & not in form of photo?
In many temples, we see lord hanuman carved on a big stone covered with sindoor and Hanuman facing sided. Why there won't be his vigraha just like other gods? Is there any story behind his side ...
- 389
8
votes
1
answer
5k
views
Is it acceptable to sleep in same room as Murti (Idol)?
Naively speaking one might expect that it would be acceptable to sleep/ live in same place as a Murti of some God or Goddess, as can occasionally be seen in some temples. For example, the question ...
- 311
0
votes
1
answer
546
views
In Yajurveda there is written “Naasptimasti” means there is no idol of god and still we do worship of idols? [duplicate]
I was told that in Yajurveda it is clearly written “NAASPTIMASTI” means don’t make idols. Still people do, why ?
And in Gita, they mentioned that make idols of god.
Can anyone tell me this?
- 11
9
votes
1
answer
866
views
Do photographs or paintings of Gods undergo prana pratishthana?
As I understand from this question , through prana pratishthana ritual God comes and resides in the murti. And if not mistaken, the idols have to be sculpted in line with what is mentioned in Agamas ...
4
votes
1
answer
360
views
Does the Yoga Vasishta prohibit idol worship?
Does the Yoga Vasistha, written by Sage Valmiki, strongly discourage or even prohibit idol worship?
How can idol worship be then reconciled with the Yoga Vasistha?
Men in vain rely on mantras and ...
- 1,309
1
vote
1
answer
172
views
Ganesha Idol Position
I read on the internet that the best position to place The Lord, Ganesha , is at Northeast direction of the house. I found this in other scriptures. Can someone tells me the meaning? Normally Shiva is ...
- 2,014
2
votes
1
answer
133
views
Is destroying an idol of a god equivalent to killing an avatar of that god?
In Sri Vaishnavism, Brahman makes himself accessible to humans in 5 forms: Para, Vyuha, Vibhava, Archa, and Antaryami.
Para refers to the form of Vishnu that exists in Vaikuntha.
Vyuha and Vibhava ...
- 22.5k
1
vote
0
answers
155
views
What is the punishment in hell for destroying the statues of gods in temples? [duplicate]
What is the punishment in hell for destroying the statues of gods in temples?
In Sri Vaishnavism, Brahman makes himself accessible to humans in 5 forms: Para, Vyuha, Vibhava, Archa, and Antaryami.
...
- 22.5k
9
votes
1
answer
4k
views
Does Tirupati Balaji's idol have real hair?
Namaste! I have read facts about Tirupati Balaji idol which is placed in sanctum sanctorum and among them there is one fact which raise my eyebrow: Idol has real hair and claimed to be real hair of ...
- 650
2
votes
0
answers
78
views
How to Give Painting of Baby Lord Krishna [closed]
How give my own painting of Baby Lord Krishna while respecting Hindu sentiments.
Is mailing allowed, or should I deliver personally?
Specifically, what does Hinduism say about transporting/gifting ...
- 373
3
votes
0
answers
78
views
Idols/Murti positions
I don’t know if this has been asked before.
Why are some idols in standing position and some idols in sitting position in temples? Is there any logic behind the same?
I have always thought Ganesh ...
- 31
3
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Can I keep a small murti of lord hanuman in my room
I have heard that as the size of murti grows it attracts more divine power and requires more Pooja. Hence one should not keep a large murti at home but how about small metal one around 3-4 inch. Can I ...
- 133
1
vote
0
answers
961
views
Is it okay to keep a nataraja statue at Northeast corner of the house?
Some sites say not to keep nataraja statue at home, but Is it okay to keep nataraja statue at Northeast corner in home?
- 857