List of Hindu deities
Hinduism is the biggest religion of the Indian subcontinent. It comprises four major traditions, Vaishnavism, Brahmanism, Shaktism, Shaivism, whose followers consider Vishnu, Brahma, Shakti and Shiva to be the Supreme deity respectively. Most of the other deities were either related to them or different forms of these deities. Hinduism has been called the "oldest religion" in the world, and many practitioners refer to Hinduism as "the eternal law".. Given below is a list of the chief Hindu deities followed by a list of Hindu deities.
Smartism, an older tradition and later reestablished by Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya, invites the worship of more than one god including Shiva like that, Vishnu, Brahma, Shakti and
Ganesha among other gods and goddesses. It is not as overtly sectarian as either Vashnavism,
Brahmanism or Saivism and is based on the recognition that Brahman is the highest principle in the universe and pervades all of existence.
Main deities
The Hindu trinity consists of Brahma the Creator, Vishnu the Preserver, and Shiva the Destroyer. Their feminine counterparts are Saraswati, the wife of Brahma, Lakshmi, the wife of Vishnu, and Parvati the wife of Shiva. The followers of the last two form two major sects.Devi (goddess)
Communities of goddess worship are ancient in India. In the Rigveda, the most prominent goddess is Ushas, the goddess of dawn. In modern Hinduism, goddesses are widely revered. Shaktism is one of the major sects of Hinduism. Followers of Shaktism believe that the goddess is the power that underlies the female principle, and that Devi is the supreme being, one and the same with Para Brahman. Shakti has many forms/manifestations like Parvati, Durga, and others but there are also goddesses that are parts of Shakti such as Lakshmi and Saraswati. Devi is believed to manifest in peaceful forms, such as Parvati the consort of Shiva and also in fierce forms, such as Kali and Durga. In Shaktism, Adi Parashakti is regarded as Ultimate Godhead or Para Brahman. She is formless i.e. Nirguna in reality, but may take many forms i.e. Saguna. Durga and Lalita Tripurasundari are regarded as the Supreme goddess in the Kalikula and Srikula systems respectively. Shaktism is closely related with Tantric Hinduism, which teaches rituals and practices for purification of the mind and body. Some different parts of Shakti the Mother Goddess:- Parvati and her Navadurgas, Matrikas, and Mahavidyas
- Kali as Bhadrakali, an auspicious form of Kali and Bharavi/Chamundeshwari often known as Chandi, as a ferocious form of Parvati
- Bhumi, the mother Earth known as Prithvi
- Lakshmi and her Ashtalakshmi, goddess of wealth and wife of lord vishnu
- Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom and music and also first wife of lord Brahma
- Gayatri, the supreme life giving goddess and second wife of lord Brahma
- Ganga, the goddess personification of the Ganges River, she later married King Shantanu as his first wife and gave birth to Bhishma Pitamah in the Mahabharat era.
- Narmada, the daughter of Shiva, also goddess of river Narmada
- Annapoorna, the goddess of food
- Nindra, goddess of sleep
- Yami, the sacred river Yamuna and goddess of life
- Santoshi Mata, considered to be the goddess of happiness and long life
- Sati, the adi parasakti early life of Parvati.
Shiva
Some alternative forms of Shiva are listed below:
- Ardhanarishvara
- Nataraja
- Pashupati
- Rudra
- Dakshinamurthy
- Ravananugraha
- Vaidheeswara
- Lingodbhava
- Bhikshatana
- Sri Manjunatha
- Vaidhyanatha
- Mahakaleshwara
- Tryambak
- Bholenath
Brahma
Some alternative names for Brahma are:
- Vednatha
- Chaturmukha
- Prajapati
- Hiranyagarbha
- Vedagarbha
Vishnu
- Adi Narayana
- Narayana
- Thirumal
- Perumal
- Jagannatha
- Hayagriva
- Achyuta
- Madhava
- Venkateshwara, as Vishnu is known in parts of South India
- Guruvayurappan
- Vaikuntha Chaturmurti
- Vaikuntha Kamalaja
- Mohini
- Lakshmi Narayan
- Vishvarupa
- Ranganatha
- Dasavatari, the 10 incarnations of Vishnu
- Madhusudana
- Padmanabha
- Ananta Shayana
- Hari
- Upulwan, another name for Vishnu In Sri Lanka
Related deities
- Yamuna, the life energy, the daughter of lord Surya and the goddess of kindness, humanity, beauty.
- Ganesha, son of Shiva and Parvati and was also called Ganpati, the Ganapatya sectary worshipped Ganesha as their chief deity. He is the god of wisdom and remover of all obstacles. He is worshipped before any other devi or deiti.
- Kartikeya, son of Shiva and Parvati and was also called Muruga, Karthik, Kumara or Shanmukha, the Kaumaram sectary worshipped Subramanya as their chief deity. He's also the brother of Lord Ganesha.
- Ayyappan, son of Shiva and Mohini and was also called Manikanta since he has mani in kanta
- Hanuman, is one of incarnation of Shiva and devotee of Rama and was also called Anjaneya, since his mother is anjana
- Ganga, holi river in Hinduism.
- Hansa, the devoted swan who acts as the vahana of Lord Brahma.
- Garuda, the devoted eagle who acts as the vahana of Lord Vishnu.
- Nandi, the devoted bull who acts as the vahana of Lord Shiva.
- Shani, the son of Sun
- Shesha, the king of Nagas
Avatars (incarnations)
Shakti
Adi Parashakti Adi parashakti- Gayatri
- Mahamaya
- Yogamaya
- Sati
- Raja Rajeswari
- Lalitha parameswari
- Parvathy
- Aparna
- Durga
- Rudrani
- Mhalsa
- Narayani
- Kamakhya
- Meenakshi
- Kamakshi
- Vishalakshi
- Abhirami
- Kanya Kumari
- Annapoorna
- Sataksi or Shakambhari
- Bhramari or Bhramarambha
- Kausiki
- Akhilandeswari
- Uma
- Mari
- Bhavani
- Ambika
- Mahadevi
Navadurga Navadurga
- Shailaputri
- Brahmacharini
- Chandraghanta
- Kushmanda
- Skandamata
- Katyayani
- Kalaratri
- Mahagauri
- Siddhidhatri
- Kali
- Bhadrakali
- Ugrakali
- Chandi
- Chamundi
- Chandamari
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Ganesha
- Vakratunda , his mount is a lion.
- Ekadanta, his mount is a mouse.
- Mahodara, his mount is a mouse.
- Gajavaktra , his mount is a mouse.
- Lambodara, his mount is a mouse.
- Vikata , his mount is a peacock.
- Vighnaraja , his mount is the celestial serpent.
- Dhumravarna corresponds to Śiva, his mount is a horse.
Shiva
- Shankar Avatar
- Veerabhadra Avatar
- Bhairava Avatar
- Khandoba Avatar
- Nataraja Avatar
- Ashwatthama Avatar
- Ardhanarishvara Avatar
- Muneeswarar Avatar
- Muthappan Avatar
- Pashupati Avatar
- Gangeshwar Avatar
- Rudra Avatar
- Lingam Avatar
- Dakshinamurthy Avatar
- Ravananugraha Avatar
- Vaidheeswara Avatar
- Lingodbhava Avatar
- Somaskanda Avatar
- Bhikshatana Avatar
- Sri Manjunatha Avatar
- Vaidhyanatha Avatar
- Mahakaleshwara Avatar
- Tryambak Avatar
- Bholenath Avatar
Brahma
- Valki Avatar
- Kashyapa Avatar
- Sukra Avatar
- Kalidasa Avatar
- Chandra Avatar
- Samudra Avatar
- Jamvanta Avatar
- Agastya Avatar
- Durvasa Avatar
Vishnu
Dashavatara
- Matsya, the fish
- Kurma, the tortoise
- Varaha, the boar
- Narasimha, the Half Man-Half Lion avatar.
- Vamana, the Dwarf
- Parashurama, the cosmic Warrior Brahmin
- Rama, the king of Ayodhya and the hero of the epic Ramayana
- Krishna, central character in the Mahabharata, the Bhagavata Purana and the Bhagavad Gita
- Buddha, the founder of Buddhism
- Kalki who is expected to appear at the end of Kali Yuga
Lakshmi
- Bhargavi
- Sridevi
- Sita
- Rukmini and Ashtabharya
- Padmavati
- Radha
- Vedavati
- Tulasi
- Padmawati
- Aadi Lakshmi
- Aishwarya Lakshmi
- Vidya Lakshmi
- Dhana Lakshmi
- Santana Lakshmi
- Dhaanya Lakshmi
- Gaja Lakshmi
- Veera Lakshmi
- Vijaya Lakshmi
- Dhairya Lakshmi
- Vidya Lakshmi
- Kamala
- Bhudevi
- Andal
- Bhargavi
- Tridevi
Saraswati
- Savitri
- Vani
- Brahmani
- Mahasaraswati
- Gayatri
- Medha
- Gir
- Vāc
Minor gods
Adityas
- Mitra, the patron god of oaths and of friendship,
- Varuna, the patron god of water and the oceans,
- Śakra, also called Indra, the king of gods, and the god of rains
- Dakṣa,
- Aṃśa,
- Aryaman,
- Bhaga, god of wealth
- Vivasvat, also called Ravi or Savitṛ,
- Tvāṣṭṛ, the smith among the gods,
- Pūsan, patron god of travellers and herdsmen, god of roads,
- Dhāt, god of health and magic, also called Dhūti
- Vamana
Rudras
Vasus
Assistants of Indra and of Vishnu- Agni the "Fire" god, also called Anala or "living",
- Varuna the "Water" god, also called Antarikṣa the "Atmosphere" or "Space" god,
- Vāyu the "Wind", the air god, also called Anila
- Dyauṣ the "Sky" god, also called Dyeus and Prabhāsa or the "shining dawn"
- Pṛthivī the "Earth" god, also called Dharā or "support"
- Sūrya the "Sun" god, also called Pratyūsha,, the Saura sectary worshipped Sūrya as their chief deity.
- Soma the "Moon" god, also called Chandra
- Samudra the "Sea" god, also called as "Sagar"
Ashvins
List in alphabetical order
Most of the Hindu temples are dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma, Shakti, Ganesh and Hanuman. The Hindu scriptures claimed that there were 33 KOTI or 33 category gods, koti meaning in Sanskrit crore. Crore also translates to 10,000,000 or 10 million.One theory is that the number 330 million gods refers to the total count of the then known population of all the humans and living beings that ever walked on this planet including the 84 lakh jeeva rasi signifying that god exists in every living being. This is in line with the belief of Indians to respect all living beings as gods. It is estimated that the world population was around this number about a 1000 years ago when this number would have originated. It also explains the many gods
Another theory is that the number might be figurative but there are several names and forms for the multitude of gods. Given below is an incomplete list of deities.
A
- Ahswhrat, Minor god of trickery and mischief
- Aakash
- Acyutah, another name of Vishnu.
- Adimurti one of Vishnu's avatars.
- Aditi is mother of the Devas.
- Adityas, are the offspring of Aditi.
- Agni* is the god of fire, and acceptor of sacrifices.
- Anala "fire" in Sanskrit, equated among Agni.
- Anila is one of the Vasus, gods of the elements of the cosmos. He is equated with the wind god Vāyu, Anila being understood as the name normally used for Vāyu when numbered among the Vasus.
- Annapurna Devi Mata
- Anumati, also known as Chandrama, is a lunar deity and goddess of wealth, intellect, children, spirituality, and prosperity. Her vehicle is Krisha Mrigam or Krishna Jinka.
- Anuradha
- Ap In Hinduism, it is also the name of the deva, a personification of water, one of the Vasus in most later Puranic lists.
- Apam Napat is an eminent figure of the Indo-Iranian pantheon. In Hinduism, Apām Napāt is the god of fresh water, such as in rivers and lakes. In Zoroastrianism, Apąm Napāt is also a divinity of water, see also Burz.
- Aranyani is a goddess of the forests and the animals that dwell within them. Aranyani has the distinction of having one of the most descriptive hymns in the Rigveda dedicated to her, in which she is described as being elusive, fond of quiet glades in the jungle, and fearless of remote places.
- Aravan also known as Iravat and Iravant, is a minor character from the Hindu epic of Mahabharata. The son of Pandava prince Arjuna and the Naga princess Ulupi, Iravan is the central god of the cult of Kuttantavar —which is also the name commonly given to him in that cult—and plays a major role in the cult of Draupadi.
- Ardhanari is a composite androgynous form of the Hindu god Shiva and his consort Parvati. Ardhanarishvara is depicted as half male and half female, split down the middle. The left half is usually the female Parvati, illustrating her traditional attributes and the right half, Shiva.
- ArdraThe Hindu myth associated to Ardra is that of Taraka. Taraka is an asura who is granted invulnerability by Brahma.
- Arjuna is the third of the Pandavas, the sons and princes of Pandu, who with Krishna, is considered to be the hero of the Hindu epic Mahabharata.
- Aruna is a personification of the reddish glow of the rising Sun, which is believed to have spiritual powers. The presence of Aruṇá, the coming of day, is invoked in Brahmin prayers to Surya.
- Arundhati is the wife of the sage Vashista, one of the seven sages who are identified with the Ursa Major. She is identified with the morning star and also with the star Alcor which forms a double star with Mizar in Ursa Major.
- Aryaman is one of the early Vedic deities. His name signifies "bosom friend". He is the third son of Aditi. He is an Aditya, a solar deity. He is supposed to be the chief of the manes and the Milky Way is supposed to be his path.
- Ashapura -Mata no Madh is one of aspect devi. Her temples are mainly found in Gujarat.
- Asura are non-suras, a different group of power-seeking deities besides the suras, sometimes considered naturalists, or nature-beings. They are the forces of chaos that are in constant battle with the Devas.
- Asvayujau is a goddess of good luck, joy and happiness.
- Aswiniis the first nakshatra in Hindu astrology, corresponding to the head of Aries, including the stars β and γ Arietis. The name aśvinī is used by Varahamihira. The older name of the asterism, found in the Atharvaveda and in Panini, was aśvayúj "harnessing horses"
- Ayyappan is a Hindu deity worshiped in a number of shrines across India. Ayyappan is believed to be an incarnation of Dharma Sasta, who is the offspring of Shiva and Vishnu and is generally depicted in a yogic posture
- Ayyanar
- Aryadurga
- Annamma
- Ajjayya
B
- Bagalamukhi
- Bahuchara Mata
- Balarama
- Bhadra
- Bhadrakali
- Bhaga
- Bhairava
- Bhairavi
- Bharani
- Bharati
- Bhavani
- Bhishma
- Bhumidevi
- Bhumiya
- Bhutamata
- Bhuvaneshvari
- Brahma
- Brahman
- Brahmani
- Brihaspati
- Budha
- Buddha
- Buddhi
- Budhi Pallien
- Balaji
- Beeralingeswara
- Balambika
- Banashankari
C
- Chandra
- Chhathi Maiya
- Chathan
- Chhinnamasta
- Chitragupta
- Chamunda
- Chowdeshwari
D
- Dasha Maa
- Daksha
- Dakshayani
- Danu
- Dattatreya, the holy eternal Trinity, single-bodied incarnation of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh all together. The stated One God in Hinduism.
- Deva
- Devi
- Devnarayan
- Dhanvantari, the god of medicine and Ayurveda.
- Dhara
- Dharma
- Dharma Shasta
- Dhatri
- Dhumavati
- Diti
- Durga
- Draupadi
- Dyaus Pita
- Dhrishtadyumna
G
- Ganesha
- Ganga in Hinduism
- Garuda
- Gangothri
- Gomatha
- Gayatri
- Ghanshyam
- Guardians of the directions
- Gusainji
- Gajanan Maharaj of Shegaon, one of the avatars of Lord Dattatreya
H
- Hanuman
- Hari
- Hari Krishna
- Hari Hara
- Hayagriva
- Hrishikesh
- Huligamma
- Harbadevi
- Hingladevi
- Hombaleshwari
- Hattilakkamma
I
- Indra
- Indrani
J
- Jambavan
- Jagannath
- Jumadi
- Jhulelal
- Jalaram
- Jatayu
K
- Kali
- Kalki
- Kama
- Kamalatmika
- Kamakhya
- Kamakshi
- Kanaka Durga
- Kannaki Amman
- Karna
- Kartikeya
- Karuppa Swami
- Kashyapa
- Kathyayini
- Ketu
- Khandoba
- Khatushyamji
- Khodiyar
- Kirata Moorti
- Krishna Krishna is the another 'Avtar' of Lord Vishnu.Who was born to teach how to love and to destroy' Kans'.
- Kubera
- Kumbhakarna
- Kinner Kailash
- Katteholeyamma
- Kanyakumari
- Kosta Prevas
- Kubjika, tantric goddess of pottery
L
- Lakshmi goddess of wealth
- Lalitha
- Lakshman
- Lambodar :- A form of Ganesha
M
- Muttinamma devi
- Madurai Veeran
- Mahesh, another name for Shiva
- Mahavidya
- Mahavishnu, another name for Vishnu
- Mahalakshmi, another name for Lakshmi
- Mallanna
- Manda
- Mariamman
- Markandeya
- Matrikas
- Meenakshi
- Manasa
- Manushri,another name for Lakshmi
- Maruts
- Matangi
- Manikanta
- Mhasoba
- Veer Mhaskoba
- Mitra
- Mohini
- Muthyalamma
- Murugan
- Mariamman
- Muniandi
- Muthappan
- Mahalasa
- Mukyaprana
- Mookambika
- Muneeswaran
- Mahakali
- Mahalaxmi
- Mangala
- Mahishasura Mardini
- Mailaralingeshwara
- Mulkattamma
- Martanda-bhairava, another name for Khandoba.
N
- Naga Devata
- Nagathamman
- Naga siren
- Naga Yakshi
- Naina Devi
- Nandni
- Nandi
- Narada
- Nakula
- Narasimha a form of vishnu
- Narayana a name for vishnu
- Nataraja
- Neela
- Nirrith
- Narmada Devi
- Nirrta
- Nookambika
P
- Parashurama
- Parasiva
- Parjanya
- Parvati
- Pashupati
- Perumal
- Prajapati
- Prithvi
- Pushan
- Purusha
R
- Radha
- Rukmini
- Rahu
- Ram
- Ramdev Pir
- Ramnathi
- Ranganatha
- Rati
- Ratri
- Ravastar.
- Ravi
- Rbhus
- Renuka
- Revanta
- Rohini Nakshatram
- Rudra
- Ranachandi
S
- Samaleswari
- Sai Baba of Shirdi, one of the avatars of Lord Dattatreya.
- Savitar, God of motion
- Santoshi Mata
- Saraswati, goddess of knowledge
- Saranyu
- Sati
- Shakti
- Shakti Peethas
- Shantadurga
- Shani
- Shashthi
- Shiva
- Shyam Baba
- Sita
- Sathyabhama
- Skanda
- Soma
- Subrahmanya
- Surya
- Shyamala
- Shitala
- Svaha
- Swaminarayan
- Swami Samarth Maharaj of Akkalkot, one of the avatars of Lord Dattatreya.
- Sampati
- Shri Khand
- Salumaradamma
- Sateri Devi, the Serpent Goddess
T
- Tapati
- Tara
- Tumburu
- Tirupati Thimmappa
- Tripura Sundari
- Tvashtri
U
- Uma
- Udupi Krishna
- Urvashi
- Ushas
- Ugratara
- Umiya Mata
V
- Valli
- Vamana
- Varaha
- Varahi
- Varuna
- Vasu
- Vayu
- Veerabhadra
- Veer Mhaskoba
- Venkateshwara
- Vinayaki
- Vishalakshi
- Vishnu
- Vishnumaya
- Vishvaksena
- Vithoba, Also called Vithaai, Vithalla, Vithu Mauli, Mauli.
- Vishwakarma
- Vivasvat
- Vyasa
- Vetaal, Also called Vetoba.
Y
- Yaksha
- Yakshini
- Yama
- Yamuna
- Yami
- Yellamma
- Yudhishthira
- Yamini
List of gods
Achyuta
Adimurti
Aditi
Adityas
Agni
Ajjayya
Amman
Anala
Anila
Annamma
Annapurna
Anumati
Anuradha
Ap
Apam Napat
Aranyani
Aravan
Ardhanari
Ardra
Arjuna
Aruna
Arundhati
Aryaman
Ashapura
Asura
Asvayujau
Aswiniis
Ayya Vaikundar
Ayyappan
Ayyanar
Aryadurga
Badrakali
Bagalamukhi
Bahuchara Mata
Balaji
Balambika
Balarama
Banashankari
Beeralingeswara
Bhadra
Bhadrakali
Bhaga
Bhairava
Bhairavi
Bharani
Bharati
Bhavani
Bhishma
Bhumidevi
Bhumiya
Bhutamata
Bhuvaneshvari
Brahma
Brahman
Brahmani
Brihaspati
Buddha
Buddhi
Budhi Pallien
Chandi
Chandra
Chathan
Chhinnamasta
Chitragupta
Chamunda
Choudeshwari
Dashka
Dakshayani
Danu
Dattatreya
Deva
Devi
Devnarayan
Dhanvantari
Dhara
Dharma
Dharma Shasta
Dhatri
Dhrishtadyumna
Dhumavati
Diti
Draupadi
Durga Devi
Dyaus Pita
Ganapati
Ganga
Gangothri
Garuda
Gayatri
Gomatha
Ghanshyam
Guardians of the directions
Guru Nanak
Gusainji
Hanuman
Hari
Hari Krishna
Hari Hara
Hrishikesh
Huligamma
Harbadevi
Hingladevi
Hombaleshwari
Hattilakkamma
Indra
Indrani
Jagaddhatri
Jagannath
Jalaram
Jatayu
Jhulelal
Jumadi
Jyotiba
Kali Yuga
Kalki
Kama
Kamadeva
Kamalatmika
Kamakhya
Kamakshi
Kanaka Durga
Kannaki Amman
Kanyakumari
Karna
Karthikeya
Karuppa Swami
Kashyapa
Kathyayini
Katteholeyamma
Ketu
Khandoba
Khatushyamji
Khodiyar
Kinner Kailash
Kirata Moorti
Krishna
Kubera
Kumbhakarna
Kunchumamba
Kurma
Kushmanda
Lakshmi
Lakshman
Lalitha
Linga
Madurai Veeran
Mahakali
Mahalasa
Mahalaxmi
Mahesh
Mahavidya
Mahavishnu
Mahishasura Mardini
Mailaralingeshwara
Mallanna
Manda
Mariamman
Markandeya
Matrikas
Manasa
Mangala
Maruts
Matangi
Manikanta
Matsya
Maya calender
Meenakshi
Mhasoba
Mitra
Mohini
Mookambika
Muthyalamma
Muttinamma
Murugan
Muniandi
Muthappan
Mukyaprana
Mulkattamma
Muneeswaran
Naga Devata
Naga siren
Naga Yakshi
Naina Devi
Nandi
Nandni
Narada
Narasimha
Narayana
Narmada Devi
Nataraja
Navagrahas
Neela
Nirrith
Nirrta
Nookambika
Pandavas
Parashurama
Parasiva
Parjanya
Parvati
Pashupati
Perumal
Prajapati
Prithvi
Pushan
Purusha
Radha
Rahu
Ram
Ramdev Pir
Ramnathi
Ranganatha
Rati
Ratri
Ravastar
Ravi
Rbhus
Renuka
Revanta
Rohini Nakshatram
Rudra
Salumaradamma
Samaleswari
Santoshi Mata
Saranyu
Saraswati
Sati
Savitar
Sesha Naga
Shani
Shakti
Shakti Peethas
Shantadurga
Shitala
Shiva
Shri Khand
Shubhanga
Shyam baba
Shyamala
Sita
Skanda
Soma
Srimanjunatha
Subrahmanya
Surya
Svaha
Swaminarayan
Tara
Tejaji
Trimurti
Tirupati Thimmappa
Tripura Sundari
Tvashtri
Ugratara
Uma
Urvashi
Ushas
Vamana
Varaha
Varahi
Varuna
Vasu
Vasudeva
Vayu
Veerabhadra
Veer Mhaskoba
Venkateshwara
Vishnu
Vishvaksena
Vithoba
Vishwakarma
Vivasvat
Valli
Vyasa
Vishnumaya
Yaksha
Yakshini
Yama
Yamuna
Yami
Yellamma
Yudhishthira
Yamini