Choosing the best idol for your home and other spaces is a decision that takes time. Popular choices include Shiva Lingam, Vishnu, Krishna, Rama, Lakshmi, Durga, and Ganesha. Materials like brass, marble, and wood are ideal. Idols for office, car, and study tables vary based on spiritual and practical benefits. In this blog, we will answer your question regarding the material, make, placement, and methods of choosing the right idol depending upon your needs.
Hindu Dharma with the infinite wisdom of great sages and innumerable sects and strands is like a great banyan tree, living, and breathing with multiple branches sprouting from it. In the ritual tradition of Hinduism, the choice of deity to be welcomed in your home is considered a question of personal faith, and the devotee is allowed to bring home the god to which they feel a devotional connection (Bhakti).
Idol worship, or Murti Puja, is a practice in many religious traditions, especially within Hinduism, where divine presence is believed to be manifested through physical representations or idols of deities. The practice comes from the belief that the deity or their power can reside in the idol, making it a medium through which devotees can connect with the divine.
☛ Symbol of the Divine : Idols are considered symbolic representations of deities, where the physical form embodies the divine presence. Each idol is made based on ancient Hindu iconographic texts known as Shilpashastras, which provide detailed guidelines for crafting an image that accurately represents the deity.
☛ Bhakti (Devotion) : Idol worship is deeply tied to the principle of bhakti, or devotion. By focusing on the idol during worship, devotees express their love, gratitude, and reverence for the deity. This helps create a personal connection with the god.
☛ Sacred Space : The space where the idol is kept, often a home shrine or temple, becomes sacred. This space or Puja ghar is dedicated to spiritual practices such as prayers, offerings, and rituals, where the devotee seeks blessings, protection, and growth of knowledge.
☛ Rituals and Offerings : Various rituals accompany idol worship, such as abhishekam (ritual bathing of the idol), aarti (prayers with lighted lamps), puja (ritual offering of food, flowers, incense), and mantra chanting. These practices help create an atmosphere of sanctity, reverence, and devotion.
☛ Beyond The Material : Idol worship is not limited to the physical idol. The worshipper believes that the deity transcends the idol, while simultaneously being an active and alive presence of the deity. This is why an idol is a symbol as well as the deity it symbolises, both, at once.
Yes, idol worship is not only allowed in Hinduism, but is one of the most integral rituals of the ancient Hindu practices. It is a tradition in Hinduism for the devotee to choose one tutelary god, also known as “Ishta” Devata or Devi, who they worship as the supreme divinity for the rest of their lives. The Idol of Ishta Devata or Devi is brought and ritually instated in the Puja ghar and worshipped daily.
Shaivas (followers of Shiva) place a Shiva Linga or Lord Shiva statue in their home, Shaktas (worshippers of the great goddess) pay adulations to a Maa Durga or Maa Kali statue, and Vaishnavas (devotees of Vishnu) keep idols of Vishnu or one of his incarnations, mostly Sri Krishna and Sri Rama in their place of worship.
Hindus worship idols to establish a connection with the divine, making abstract spiritual concepts accessible. Idols represent divine presence, helping in expression of devotion (bhakti) and focused meditation. Worshiping idols also helps the devotee see and seek divine guidance and learn to live their life guided by the visual presence of the deity.
The prevalent system of worship in Hinduism resonates with the Smarta tradition (rooted in Smritis or the Vedas) which gives equal regard to all gods and goddesses and lays no strict ritual rules for the followers. Five (Pancha) deities, namely Shiva, Shakti, Vishnu, Ganesha, and Surya are considered primary figures, and their combined worship is called Panchayatan Puja. The ritual space in Puja becomes the Panchayatan of the deity which is placed in the center, surrounded by the other four.
Followers of Shiva, also known as Shaivas usually place a Shiva Lingam, the most potent form of Mahadeva in the main shrine of their house. Seekers of conjugal bliss bring Shiva-Parvati statues, while those aiming to bring overall happiness in their homes worship the Shiva Parivaar, the divine family of Shiva with Parvati, Ganesha, Karttikeya, and Nandi.
Vaishnavas worship the divine four-armed Chaturbhuja form of Sri Vishnu, but some of them prefer to revere a particular incarnation out of the Dashavatar of Bhagwan Vishnu. Seekers of inner strength worship Narasimha, people willing to nurture divine qualities worship Sri Rama, seekers of stability and wisdom worship Varaha, and those looking to attain supreme wisdom of the Vedas pay adulations to Lord Hayagriva.
Bhagwan Dhanavantari (Lord of Medicines), Tirupati Balaji, and Vishnu Sheshashayi are some other forms in which Vishnu statues are placed in the home shrines. People looking for overall balance and auspiciousness in life also worship Vishnu-Lakshmi statues. Idols of Bhagwan Krishna and Krishna-Radha statues are favored by the Vaishnavas who worship Krishna as their Ishta.
Lord Hanuman, the devotee of Bhagwan Rama and one of the eight Chiranjeevi (immortals) is one of the most popular deities of Hinduism and his idols, with Sri Rama Darbar or independently are placed in many Indian homes to gain mental and physical strength.
Sri Ganesha is the Prathama-Pujya or the first worshipped god in Hinduism, which is why every Hindu household, irrespective of its affiliation has at least one Sri Ganesha statue in their place of worship. Ganesha-Lakshmi-Saraswati, the trinity of the divinities is welcomed in the home Puja temple on the occasion of Diwali and considered propitious for the well-being and growth of the household.
Shakti, the primordial female energy in Hinduism is mandatorily worshipped alongside the primary male deities as their counterpart- idols of Vishnu-Lakshmi, Shiva-Parvati, and Ganesha with Riddhi and Siddhi are placed in the Puja ghar to bring auspiciousness and positivity. Devi is also independently worshipped and exquisite Maa Durga statues, goddess Kali idols, and icons of Devi Saraswati, Lakshmi, Parvati, and Annapurna are kept at the home of Hindu devotees.
Ardent worshippers of Hindu-Tantra keep statues of Dashamahavidyas, the ten great wisdoms, such as Kali, Bhuvaneshwari, and Rajarajeshwari, and worship them for a specific spiritual or material goal. Statues of goddess Pratyangira, goddess Varahi, and Mariamman are placed in the Puja-ghar of Tantric worshippers, the followers of the great goddess, and worshipped with strict and specified rituals.
Surya, the Sun god is also the king of the Navagraha or Nine Planets and is worshipped as their head and remover of all planetary Doshas. Statues of Surya Deva on his chariot or wall hangings of Surya surrounded by his resplendent rays are kept in the home to remove negative energies from life.
Along with Surya, other planetary gods such as Shani, Mangala, and Chandra, are also worshipped by individuals to aim at receiving their beneficial energies in life. Navagraha cluster, which includes all the nine planets is ritually treated by those who want to have an overall auspicious impact of the nine planets in their lives.
The best material for an idol depends on its purpose and placement:
☛ Brass & Bronze : Ideal for long-lasting durability and traditional aesthetics. Best for home temples.
☛ Marble : Represents purity and elegance, commonly used for home and office spaces.
☛ Wood : Brings warmth and natural energy, suitable for small home altars.
☛ Gemstone Statues : Known for their spiritual energy, these are great for meditation spaces.
For home temples, the idol should neither be too small nor too large, to maintain an ideal balance of energy. The idol should always be placed at a comfortable eye level while offering prayers. Smaller, finely crafted icons or larger masterpieces can be welcomed as sacred decor for a space or home.
Some of the popular Hindu gods whose statues on your office desk bring positivity and abundance are-
☛ Ganesha : The remover of obstacles and bringer of prosperity, ideal for office desks.
☛ Lakshmi : For wealth and financial success, especially for businesses.
☛ Saraswati : Best for creative fields and knowledge-based professions.
☛ Kubera : The god of wealth, suitable for financial professionals.
You can also place the statue of your Ishta devata or Devi, to receive their constant blessings for your work.
Choosing the idol for your home temple depends upon household traditions and personal beliefs. Some popularly worshipped Hindu gods and goddesses in Puja ghar are-
☛ Ganesha : Always placed first for auspiciousness.
☛ Lakshmi & Vishnu : For prosperity and harmony.
☛ Shiva Lingam : For spiritual growth and inner peace.
☛ Radha-Krishna : For love and devotion.
☛ Ram Darbar (Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, and Hanuman) : For family unity and righteousness.
Keeping an idol of gods on a car dashboard is a way of seeking their protection and benevolence during time away from one’s home. An idol of a god or goddess should be placed in a clean space on the dashboard and dusted regularly. Some people also offer fresh flowers and Dhupa (incense) every time they use their vehicle, as a ritual to the deity.
☛ Ganesha : Considered a protector against accidents and obstacles.
☛ Hanuman : Symbol of strength and protection, especially for long travels.
☛ Balaji (Venkateswara) : For divine blessings and safety.
☛ Nandi (Shiva’s vehicle) : Represents patience and stability.
☛ Devi : The Icon of Maa Durga is placed to remove all negative energies during travel.
Students and artists often place statues of Hindu gods and goddesses on their study tables or workstations. This is done to create an atmosphere of peace and achieve creative oneness with the energies of the deity. Here are a few gods and goddesses who are worshipped by students-
☛ Saraswati : Goddess of wisdom and learning, perfect for students.
☛ Ganesha : Brings focus and removes distractions.
☛ Shiva : Mahadeva Shiva is worshipped as the Lord of Yoga, who bestows calmness and steadfastness and protects the mental and physical health of the student.
☛ Hanuman : A statue of Lord Hanuman, sitting in devotional pose, reading or chanting Ram-Naam or in Dhyana-mudra (meditational pose) is ideal for study table, blessing the students with virtues of focus and vitality.
A ritually complete Puja-ghar includes attributes of the god and goddess who are placed in the home. Worshippers keep Vishnu’s Sudarshana Chakra, Shiva’s Nandi and Trishula, and Devi’s trident and Devi mask in their homes to surround themselves in a divine ambiance.
☛ Deepa, the ritual lamp itself is considered “Deepa Devata” and it is believed that only a Deepa made from pure materials can result in fulfilling worship.
☛ Abhisheka Patra or the vessel for ritual consecration is a traditional element in many Hindu households.
☛ Divine symbols like Kartikeya’s Vel and Shiva or Durga Maa’s Trishula are considered potent objects that protect not only the Puja ghar but the entire house and its residents.
☛ Ghanta or ritual bells embody the auspicious divine sound, that is the origin of the Universe, considered a sacred part of puja ghar decoration.
☛ Ritual bowls and ritual boxes made with pure material are commonly used in various Puja rituals.
☛ Shankha or conch, is a powerful object, a symbol of protection and potency, the embodiment of divine sound, Vishnu and Durga’s attribute, and a popular Vaastu object, often kept in the place of worship.
☛ Handcrafted incense burners are a traditional object of Hindu and Indian worship routines, and are used as an ornamentation and utility element in Puja ghar.
☛ Vaastu elements such as the Kamadhenu statue and Yantras such as Sri Yantra are also an essential part of traditional Hindu Puja space.
There are many myths and misconceptions spread about idols and the placement of Hindu idols in households. Let us clarify some myths and facts:
Reality: While it is advisable not to keep broken idols, they do not bring bad luck. Instead, they should be respectfully disposed of in a river or under a peepal tree.
Reality : This is a common myth. Multiple Ganesha idols can be kept, but it is advisable to worship only one as the main deity in daily rituals. Other statues of Ganesha can be placed in the home as a powerful sacred decor, for maintaining an auspicious energy.
Reality : A Shiva Lingam can be worshipped at home, provided daily abhishekam (ritual bathing) is done with water, milk, or honey. Also note to choose a Shiva Lingam made with pure material such as stone, crystal, and marble or powerful varieties such as Narmada Shiva-Linga.
Reality : Maa Kali is a fierce form of the Divine Mother, and her idol can be kept in homes dedicated to intense spiritual practices. However, daily worship is essential to balance the energy.
Reality : While it is good for certain idols (like Lakshmi) to face the entrance, not all deities need to. Generally, idols should face east or north for the best energy alignment, but it is advised to contact a learned Vaastu and religious expert if you have any particular questions.
Reality : Lord Hanuman can be worshipped at home, but it is recommended to place his idol facing south for protection against negative energies.
The illustrations given here are only an entry point into the vastness and depth of the ocean that is Hindu dharma. It would not be a stretch to state that for every devotee there is a divinity here. Which God Idols Should Not Be Kept At Home?. Choosing the best idol for home, office or sacred decor depends upon a balance of traditional rules of iconography and technique and your personal choice. We are here to help you with our online collection of over 10,000 Hindu gods and goddess statues made from pure materials such as brass, bronze, copper, and stones. Click here and end your quest for a supremely divine icon for your home.
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