Religion is portrayed as a harbinger of peace, love and freedom; as a force of harmony and

Culture
cooperation. But more often it is depicted as a force of violence and pure evil.
Religion
Some people believe that: Hinduism is often associated with a belief of something unseen,
miraculous, and supernatural; that demands faith and scorns reason and rational logic.
Spirituality
Hinduism is portrayed as steeped in stultifying ritualism and abstruse metaphysics.
Hindus are often depicted as worshippers of ghosts, goblins and a whole array of
supernatural creatures.
Hinduism is identified with the caste system which is alleged to have institutionalized the
worst form of slavery.

Belief-based idea of religion is not the basis of the traditions of India. The term for any
spiritual teaching in India is Dharma, which refers to universal principles, not a matter of
faith, but of Knowledge.

True spirituality means recognizing the dharma, the underlying univeral thruth, and to
build our life and culture arround it.
Just as the same physical laws, like gravity, operate for all human beings regardless of rate,
nationality or religion, so the same spiritual laws, like the law of Karma, are in operation
for everyone. These are the Dharmas that we must discover.
Hinduism is a system of inquiry leading to the universal tradition of inner knowing. It is a quest for understanding the
nature of things and how they really work. In fact, it seems to be closer to science than religion.

It is a complete way of life

Rooted in cosmic intelligence
leading us all to live in harmony with nature and one’s own self.
It is a search for the eternal and immutable truth which is beyond all thoughts, opinions, and beliefs.

Hinduism is an art and science of Self-realization (Science + Philosophy), an outome of the individual quest of a seeker to
understand his own self. This quest ends with a realization of divinity deep within one’s self. The basic quest is not to ask
‘Who is God?’, but to dive deep into our own selves and ask, ‘Who am I’?

Culture refers to how we live, the field created by out thoughts, feelings and actions. It refers to constant introspection
and contemplation leading to an inner transformation. To reach a higher state of awareness, we must cultivate a
lifestyle that supports it, with daily practice to bring consciousness into all what we do.
Temple designs are based upon an understanding of universal consciousness and are not arbitrary rules or local customs.

Hiduism as a universal tradition contains the greatest diversity and freedom in the spiritual life that can be found in any
religion. It allows the Divine to be worshipped in any name or form, or beyond name and form. It allows us to see God as
father, Mother, brother, sister, friend or master and ultimately requires that we see God as everything, and, above all, as
our very own Self.
It says that whatever leads us to our deeper self, which is the true Divinity, is good, regardless of the form that it takes,
which is a matter of personal approach only.
India has developed a culture of Yoga and Dharma pervading the whole of life from the family and community. The
culture of Dharma is the richest of all cultures because it is based upon honouring nature and recognizing a single
consciousness behind the universe. It promotes the civilization of the cosmic mind that transcends the limitations of
mere human social structures. It integrates systems of physical, mental, and spiritual culture. It contains art, Music,
poetry, philosophy, medicine, and science as Yogic paths.

Hindu Dharma is the oldest, most complex and enigmatic of the world’s major religions and the most different compared
to rest.
 Gods in Hinduism

Lord Shiva: Lord of Destruction

Brahma: Lord of Creator Lord Vishnu: Lord of Preserver
Mother Parvathi: Goddess of Shakthi
Mother Saraswathi: Goddess of Education Mother Laxmi: Goddess of Money
(Power)
Lord Hanuman Lord Ganesha Lord Nrusimha
Symbols in Hinduism
Dharma
Moksha (Right thing)
(Salvation)

Water
FIRE
Kaama Ardha
(Desires) (Wealth)

OM SWASTHIKA
Worshipping Cows

Fuel and Biogas From Cow Manure

Using Cow Dung as a Building Material

No fire ritual without burning Cow dung

Cow dung and cow urine possess complex degrading substances and possess antibacterial properties.
— FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations)
Worshipping Mountains

Simhachala Mountain is a form of lord Vishnu in South India

Arunachala Mountain is a form of lord Shiva
In South India

To come one full round the road round the hill, it is

around 14 kilometres. And people both young and
old religiously go round on the full moon day.
Worshipping Mountains

Mount Kailash in Himalayas is a form of lord Shiva

Worshipping Trees / Plants
Trees are an integral part of a deity’s symbolism.

Bilva tree is a form of lord shiva Holy basil is a form of lord Vishnu Neem tree is a form of goddess Laxmi
Worshipping Rivers
River Ganga
Worshipping Rivers

Temple in Nasik near Godavari

Temple near Kapila Theerdha -
River Yamuna Temple River birth place
Thirumala
 Worshipping Rivers

Maha Kumbh mela

Lot of devotees take dip in

Holy Ganges during Maha
Kumbh Mela a rare event
occurs every 12 years at one
particular location in India.
Why to Hindus Worship Many Gods?

According to Hindu Dharma, there is only one Truth or reality, but it cannot be limited to a particular name or form, or
owned by any person or group. Though truth is One, it is also infinte.
The highest truth is a spiritual reality of Being – Consciousness-Bliss.
What are called he different Gods and Goddesses of Hinduism represent various functions of this One Supreme
Divinity, not separate deities.

For example: Eskimos have many different names for snow in their language because they know snow intimately in its
different variations, not because they are ignorant of the fact that all snow is one.

Similarly, deities of Hinduism reflect an intimate experience of the Divine according to various levels and aspects.

It is hardly a crude polytheism, but an exalted pluralism or many sided understanding of the One that is Infinite.
Why to Hindus Worship Many Gods?

(1) Snowflake
(2) Frost
(3) Fine snow/rain particles
(4) Drifting particles
(5) Clinging particles B. Fallen snow
(6) Fallen snow on the ground aniu [NS] 'snow on ground'
(7) Soft, deep fallen snow on the ground muruaneq 'soft deep snow'
(8) Crust on fallen snow qetrar- [NSU] 'for snow to crust‘ qerretrar- [NSU] 'for snow to crust'
(9) Fresh fallen snow on the ground nutaryuk 'fresh snow' [HBC]
(10) Fallen snow floating on water qanisqineq 'snow floating on water‘ C. Snow formations
(11) Snow bank
(12) Snow block utvak 'snow carved in block'
(13) Snow cornice
 Indian Gods has weapons in their hands

10 evils
Kama : Lust / Desires
Krodha: Anger
Moha: Attachment
Lobha: Greed
Madha: Over pride
Mathsar: Jealousy
Swardha: Selfishness
Anyaya: Injustice
Amaanavatha: Cruelty
Ahamkara: Ego

Lord Rama killed Demon King Raavana (10 headed demon king in Sri lanka)
Lord Karthikeya

Mother: Valli Lord: Saravanabhava Mother: Devasena

(Six headed)
 Bliss

Sky / Space
Air

Fire

Water

Earth

108 energy points connects

through 3 Naadi’s / Nervs
 Bhagavad Githa – Chapter 3, Verse 35

shreyaan swadharmo vigunah paradharmaat swanushthitaat

swadharme nidhanam shreyah paradharmo bhayaavahah // 3.35 //

It is far better to perform one’s natural prescribed duty, though tinged with faults, than to perform
another’s prescribed duty, though perfectly. In fact, it is preferable to die in the discharge of one’s
duty, than to follow the path of another, which is fraught with danger.