Hindu Deities
Hindu deities are an important part of Indian life and culture, and they are worshipped through sacred images (murtis) and various rituals. Hindu gods and goddesses comprise a diverse sacred pantheon. The principal deities are the Trimurti: Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the preserver), and Shiva (the destroyer and renewer). Hinduism is understood as encompassing both monotheistic belief (one supreme divine reality) and polytheistic worship (many deities), with each deity having different roles and devotees.
Other important deities include:
Ganesha: Son of Shiva and Parvati; the god of wisdom and remover of obstacles.
Lakshmi: Goddess of wealth and good fortune.
Parvati/Uma: Consort of Shiva.
Saraswati: Goddess of knowledge, music, and the arts.
Krishna: An avatar of Vishnu; associated with love and compassion.
Kartikeya: Son of Shiva; the god of war