murti

In Hinduism, the form of a god in which it appears. Hindus believe that the one God, Brahman is the soul of the universe, but is beyond description and cannot be seen directly. It is easier to worship God when God's qualities can be brought to mind. All the different aspects of God's nature are represented by the different forms, or murtis, of the individual gods whom people worship in the temple or at their home shrines.

The three main aspects of God are Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver, and Shiva, who dances out the dance of life and death. Some of the many other gods and goddesses include the incarnations of Vishnu: Rama (personifying morality and virtue) and Krishna; Sarasvati (goddess of knowledge and art), Lakshmi (goddess of wealth and beauty), Ganesh (remover of obstacles), Durga (goddess of valour), Kali (goddess of destruction and death), Hanuman (the monkey god), and Agni (personification of fire).

The murtis kept in the temple or home are treated with the utmost respect and care. Before worship, they are washed and offered food to demonstrate and symbolize the worshipper's reverence.