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An idol- Murti, Pratima, or Chavi (image) of the divine is considered one of the simplest yet most effective ways for an individual to approach the Parama-Brahma (supreme wisdom). An ideal idol, made with devotion and strict adherence to the ancient iconographical texts is a Yantra- a ritual device that reduces the gap between the human and mortal realm.

Hindu religion allows the devotee the freedom to worship any deity they feel a personal connection (Bhakti) toward; however, picking the right idol for your home is a complex task.

To understand the dos of picking a suitable idol of a Hindu god for your home, you should know a thing or two about which god idols should not be kept at home or what precautions should be taken when you are choosing an idol online for your Puja temple. 

Shiva Lingam - Portrayal of Mahadeva

A Shiva Lingam is the most potent representation of Mahadeva along with the powers of Devi Parvati. A home where the Shiva Lingam is worshipped daily with devotion becomes the abode of Lord Shiva.

However, ritual experts advise against keeping more than one Shiva Lingam in your home. More than one Shiva Lingam in your house can reduce its effectiveness and the positivity that emanates from them.

Gods and Goddesses in Wrathful Mood

Hindu gods and goddesses are divine beings who play the tasks of creating, preserving, and destroying. For example, Devi, the primordial divine feminine takes different forms like Durga, Kali, Parvati, Lakshmi, and Saraswati to perform various roles.

Sometimes she is Saumya (calm) and the others Raudra (fierce). If you are not a Tantric follower of the deity, experts suggest not keeping idols where the goddess is in a warring mood.

Similarly, with other gods and goddesses, one should choose the idols that depict them in a benevolent mood, if you are looking to attain enriching boons from their presence through everyday worship. 

Tantric Deities

Tantric goddesses- Mahakali, Tara, Bagulamukhi, Pratyangira, Varahi, and gods such as Bhairava (the fierce form of Shiva) and Narasimha (man-lion incarnation of Sri Vishnu) can be placed in your home only when you regularly offer them their prescribed Tantric worship.

If you are unaware of the methods and rituals that the worship of these deities entails, experts suggest avoiding bringing them to your household shrine. Tantric deities are active and powerful and require strict adherence to Tantra rules in their evocation. Half-hearted or incomplete worship can lead to diminishing their potency and distortion of the boons you want to receive.

Broken Idols

Shilpashastras- treatise dealing with rules of Hindu iconography opine that an idol of the divine should be complete- it should not be broken, chipped, or have any tiny fissures.

Idols of gods that are damaged do not attract the divine element as its abode and are prone to become the residing place of negative energies. In choosing an idol for your Puja Ghar, always pick a beautiful and whole and worship it with devoutness to receive the benevolence of the deity.

Idols made from impure Material

Hindu iconography and religious experts list several ritually prescribed elements fitting for fashioning the idol of a Hindu god or goddess. Brass, copper, bronze (Panchaloha), and the wood of some trees and stones chosen by skilled Shilpis (sculptors) serve as the best material for sculpting a divine image.

In bringing an idol to your home, you should not pick one made from any other or unknown material. Impure or unfamiliar constituents can diminish the fortune impact of an idol even when you worship it while following all the ritual rules.

Which God Idols Can Be Kept at Home?

This list of rules on which god idols should not be kept at home is not to dissuade you from getting the most exquisite icons of your god or goddess for your place of worship.

At Exotic India Art and its largest online collection of idols of gods and goddesses, you can leave the list of rules to us. We offer you the perfect icons sculpted using pure materials, which always enter your home with immeasurable auspiciousness and material and metaphysical accomplishments.

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