Funeral Pyre

Selling vermilion in Badami

These are shops selling vermilion outside a temple in Badami, Karnataka. The red powder is used in pooja rituals in temples. The uniqueness of it is that the vermilion or kunku lies in large red heaps. Curious as to how it stays that way the whole day. Halad or haldi is also seen in the form of large yellow heaps.

A young boy looking after the shop selling vermilion, haldi, and other items.

A couple in their shop besides the heaps of red vermilion.

Ambabai Temple in Kolhapur

This is the Mahalakshmi temple at Kolhapur, popularly called as the Ambabai Temple. It was originally built in the 7th century, but unfortunately the original dark stone on the spire has been replaced by ugly white paint. 

The temple has also become very commercial where even elderly devotees are shouted at, pushed and bullied by the female security guards. It is impossible to pray here because of the nasty guards, shouting, and pushing even 88 year old people. This is a personal experience (we had taken my mother in law there), and on a Wednesday, when it was less crowded than usual. We had given a saree, and offerings, but no one seemed interested. The guards have just got used to the bullying and enjoy it. One cannot have even a few moments of peace, so how can God reside here? 

The believers will continue to throng this temple, but we will never go back. 

Indian priests from Kerala

These are photographs of a Hindu priests in Kerala, inside of the temple premises.
In the first image there is an old man sitting quietly outside the temple with a younger man. A cell phone hangs around his neck, along with the rudraksha bead necklace (the holy beads used in prayer). Interesting how technology and religion have come together!

Another photograph of the duo, sitting quietly outside the temple sanctum. The younger man is busy with his cell phone.

A temple priest is fixing the bronze diya which is usually lighted up as part of the Hindu rituals.

Related Images: Priest performing a Pooja
For religious symbols from Hinduism: Hindu Religious symbols or Swastika graphics from India or Paduka or Guru's feet or or Shiva Pindi or Lingam  or  Significance of Animals and other life in Hinduism or Significance of Nandi in Hinduism or Diya graphics and illustrations and Sketch
Or check out all the photographs filed under Hinduism, or Religion or Temples

Significance of Nandi in Hinduism

Nandi, the bull is what Lord Shiva uses for transport. In Hinduism, Gods are often depicted with their favourite animals, whether cows, elephants, snakes, turtles or even rats! Used either as pets or vehicles. This made animals sacred for many centuries and this is what helped preserve our wildlife although now the influences of the West has changed us to some extent.

A proud Nandi at the entrance of a temple.

A small Nandi bail or bull in an Indian temple

A Nandi statue outside the ancient temple at Ellora

An Ancient Nandi.

You might also like  Hindu Religious symbols or Swastika graphics from India or Paduka or Guru's feet or or Shiva Pindi or Lingam  or  Significance of Animals and other life in Hinduism or Diya graphics and illustrations and Sketch or other Hindu Religious symbols
Or check out all the photographs filed under  Hinduism,  Ellora,  Art,  Culture or Religion or Temples
The Image of different Religions is well illustrated in this post by taking random first images off the internet.

Ganesh or Ganpati Silhouettes

Silhouette of a Ganesh idol from a Thailand temple. A sitting Ganesh holding weapons in three of his four arms.

These are silhouettes of the deity Ganesh or popularly called Ganpati in Marathi by Maharashtrians.

Related Images: Temple Silhouettes or Temple Outlines and Sketches or Ganpati or Ganesh sketches 
Or Ganesh Pandal decorations on the streets or Golden Ganesha from Bangkok or Ganpati at Night for images of Ganesh pandals lighted up at night with electric lighting decorations.

You might also like Diya graphics and illustrations and Sketch or Hindu Religious symbols or check out all the photographs filed under Hinduism, Art, Culture or Religion or Temples or Silhouettes

Krishna Temple Ceiling Art

These are photographs of the ceiling of the Krishna Temple or Krishnabai temple, located in Old Mahabaleshwar. The temple is more than 7 centuries old but well maintained.

You might also like a birds eye view of the Krishna temple as well as photographs of the interiors of the Krishna Temple in Mahabaleshwar
Or you might also like Somnath Temple photographs or Group of temples at Mahabalipuram or Mammallapuram or Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram or Mammallapuram or Meenakshi Temple or Tiru-alavai images

Or check out all the carvings, sculptures and paintings at Ajanta or Ellora, where you will find photographs of both the Ajanta and Ellora caves and the art.

Or see the scores of images filed under the label "Temples" where you will find temples from different parts of the world, as well as sketches and silhouettes.

Krishna Temple in Mahabaleshwar

These are photographs of the Krishna Temple or Krishnabai temple in Old Mahabaleshwar. It is more than 7 centuries old, and was built by King Singhan of Deogiri. He built it at the source of the Krishna river. The temple is ancient and partly in ruins but it is well maintained. It overlooks a steep cliff from where one can get a lovely view. Amazing that despite being exposed to high winds and rain it still maintains its original shape.

There is a small pond in the courtyard of this ancient temple into which the waters of the Krishna river fall (from the mount of the Nandi). In this photographs you can see the carved stone pillars. Every part of this temple is beautifully carved.

The Nandi at the entrance to the temple

Another view of the temple's  open corridors and the carved pillars. The ceilings are also carved and these will be shown in another post.

Check out a birds eye view of the Krishna temple  or Krishna Temple Ceiling Art
Or you might also like Somnath Temple photographs or Group of temples at Mahabalipuram or Mammallapuram or Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram or Mammallapuram or Meenakshi Temple or Tiru-alavai images

Or check out all the carvings, sculptures and paintings at Ajanta or Ellora, where you will find photographs of both the Ajanta and Ellora caves and the art.

Or see the scores of images filed under the label "Temples" where you will find temples from different parts of the world, as well as sketches and silhouettes.

Krishna Temple

The Krishna Temple or Krishnabai temple in Mahabaleshwar (Maharashtra) was built in the 13th century by King Singhan of Deogiri at the source of the Krishna river. It is located in Old Mahabaleshwar. The temple is ancient and partly in ruins but it is well maintained. It is a short walk (a rough road) into the jungle from the Panchganga temple. It is situated at the edge of a cliff and there is a breathtaking view. However it being exposed thus to the natural elements has meant that erosion has eaten away the temple to some extent.

There are more beautiful sculptures and art inside the temple - Krishna Temple of Mahabaleshwar.

This is an image of the temple from the other side of the temple, the entrance. It is built in a horse shoe shape with a small pond (where the Krishna river water flows out) in the courtyard.

This is a closer look. The corridors on the side have carved pillars and the ceilings are also carved. Photographs are not allowed in the inner sanctum which is always wet. The water seeps through the ground. It is the source of the Krishna river.

As it was in the hot season the water which comes out of the mouth of the nandi is just a trickle. But this is the source of the Krishna river.

More pictures of the Krishna Temple in Mahabaleshwar or Krishna Temple Ceiling Art
You might also like Somnath Temple photographs or Group of temples at Mahabalipuram or Mammallapuram or Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram or Mammallapuram or Meenakshi Temple or Tiru-alavai images

Or check out all the carvings, sculptures and paintings at Ajanta or Ellora, where you will find photographs of both the Ajanta and Ellora caves and the art.

Or see the scores of images filed under the label "Temples" where you will find temples from different parts of the world, as well as sketches and silhouettes.

Significance of Animals and other life in Hinduism

Even if one is not a religious Hindu, one cannot help revering the religion for one thing - it's understanding, love, and respect for animals. Animals have a right to be here, just as humans do, and no religion understands this better than Hinduism.Animal, mammal and even reptile imagery is common in Hinduism. Indian literature is also full of references to animals. And the references do not paint the creatures as evil.
The fables of West has few references to animals, and some paint the animals negatively. For example, the evil wolf in Red Riding Hood. On the other hand in Indian fables such as in the Panchatantra, The stories are full of animal characters and morals for humans and many of these stories date back to the  2nd or 3rd century BC.
And then, we have our Hindu Gods who are often depicted complete with their favourite animals, whether cows, elephants snakes or even rats! Used either as pets or vehicles. This made animals sacred for many centuries and helped preserve our wildlife although now the influences of the West has changed us to some extent.

Animals were always a part and parcel of our culture, and I am very proud of it. The Gods showed us the way.

Strangely westerners ridicule our "worship" of animals and even have contempt for it. They have ofcourse killed off most of their wildlife! They have little or not understanding of the importance of animals in Hinduism and even less about the right of a form of life to live, a right others have as much as humans. All their recent efforts to preserve animals are esoteric in nature, without a base in spiritualism. It's good ofcourse, a way for them to make up for the many centuries of animal slaughter.

Krishna loved milk and milk products and this is him with a pet cow.

Nandi, the Bull, is Lord Shiva's ride and found outside many temples.

Here is Shiva with his Nandi bail and also a snake around his neck. There are various interpretation of why there is a snake around the neck. The interpretation  is that "a snake hoards nothing, carries nothing, builds nothing, lives on air alone for a long time, and lives in mountains and forests. The venom of a snake, therefore, symbolizes the yogic power".

This is at the pre-historic site of the Kailashnath Temple at Ellora. This temple has several sculptures of lions and elephants. In Hinduism animals are considered on par with humans, not inferiors and that is why they have a place with God.

Turtles are often found in temples, at the feet of the Gods. In Hinduism, a tortoise is one who carries the world on his back, upholding the Earth and the sea. Turtles are revered in some other ancient cultures as well.

Read more about the importance of animals in Hinduism here.

You might also like or Krishna Temple in Mahabaleshwar or Diya graphics and illustrations and Sketch or other Hindu Religious symbols or check out all the photographs filed under Hinduism, Ellora, Art, Culture or Religion or Temples
The Image of different Religions is well illustrated in this post by taking random first images off the internet.

Hindu Religious symbols

There are many things which are held sacred by the Hindus and these symbols are usually either found near the dieties or used in religious rituals.


This is an image of a copper vessel and a coconut standing in it. Used as an offering to the Gods. The Swastika, an ancient Hindu symbol is also seen in the image.

Each arm of the Swastika as per archaeological evidence represents "the processional equinox and solstice around the pole start". Other old civilizations around the world like Turkic, Iranian, Armenian, Nepalese, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and European have also been associated with this symbol. It is still commonly used in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. It signifies wealth, prosperity and auspiciousness.

Flowers are commonly used for worship in all religions but Hinduism favours certain flowers. The 

The Chapha or Plumeria in English is used frequently for the worship of Hindu Gods. Here it is seen decorating a Trishul, another sacred Hindu symbol. 

The Trishula considered a sacred symbol for Buddhists as well as Hindus. The Hindu God Shiva uses this three pronged weapon as seen here in this picture. So does the Goddess Durga and also some other Hindu dieties.  The three points of the Trishul are supposed to represent the trinities of  creation, maintenance and destruction - The Past, the Present and the Future.

In the human body, the trishula is also meant to signify the place where the three main nadis, or energy channels (ida, pingala and shushmana) meet at the brow. 

And don't miss the Om symbol on Lord Shiva's palm. Written as ॐ in Devanagari, the Om is a type of mantra and mystical Sanskrit sound of Hindu origin. It is used for chanting during Yogic exercises. It is important in various religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Sanatana Dharma and Jainism. 

Orange Marigold flowers are usually used in religious rituals and have now taken on a religious tone. They are hung in doorways and used in puja or Hindu religious rituals not just on festivals, but on any auspicious occasion.

A small temple in Thailand where orange marigold flowers are used for worship. Incense is also seen here. Again frequently used for the worship of God in most religions, including Christianity in India.

The Areca Nut is believed to be an auspicious ingredient and used in religious ceremonies in Hinduism and also in some schools of Buddhism. Here in this picture it is seen placed carefully on a mound of rice and used in a religious ceremony.

The Rudraksha is a necklace made of the beads from the seeds of the Rudraksha or Rudraksh tree, which is a large evergreen broad-leaved tree. These beads are used prayers and rituals in Hinduism and are also made into jewellery. Many fake ones are also available. The ones on the extreme right of the photograph are the rudraksha bead necklaces, the dark brown ones. These are usually available outside some temples or religious places.

For other religious symbols from Hinduism: Swastika graphics from India or Paduka or Guru's feet or or Shiva Pindi or Lingam or Significance of Nandi in Hinduism or or Diya graphics and illustrations and Sketch or  Significance of Animals and other life in Hinduism

Or check out all the photographs filed under Hinduism, Ellora, Art, Culture or Religion or Temples
More Related Images: Indian cities lit up at night with Diwali lights or  Priest performing a Pooja or Hanuman Temple

Golden Ganesha from Bangkok

If you thought only Indians prayed to Ganesha, think again. Here is a local person in Bangkok kneeling down before a golden statue of Ganesh (also known as Ganpati) in the city of Bangkok in Thailand. Ganesha is a Hindu deity, and his images are found across India, Nepal and some in Thailand. Jains and Buddhists also worship Ganesha.

Here is a closer look at the golden statue of the deity Ganesh (referred to Ganpati in Maharashtra)

Related Images: Ganesh Pandal decorations on the streets or  Ganpati or Ganesh sketches
For images of Ganesh Idols lit up with decorative electric and psychedelic lights see this post: Ganpati at Night
More related Images: Indian cities lit up at night with Diwali lights or Priest performing a Pooja or Hanuman Temple
For religious symbols from Hinduism: Swastika graphics from India or Paduka or Guru's feet or or Shiva Pindi or Lingam

Religious homes in India

India is one of the most religious countries in the world, with the highest number of believers. This is reflected best in the homes of middle class Indians who outnumber the upper classes, and also the poor (the poor or those under the poverty line consist of approximately 22-25% of the population). Almost every room has a diety in the house of a middle class India.

The pooja room is however mostly near the kitchen. If the household is affluent he could build a separate pooja room, but for most middle class Indians, the different deities are placed in one corner in the kitchen.

However, there are photographs or figures of deities in almost every room. Here is a photograph with the idols kept neatly on a shelf near the ceiling in the living room.

Here is a picture of the goddess Laxmi giving her blessings to Shivaji Maharaj, an ancient king. This photograph was present in a common room of the house.

And as if pictures of deities are not enough, Indians invariably worship their past leaders. Here in this photograph you can see photographs of Swami Vivekananda (who was a guru and a propagator of Hinduism) and Jawaharlal Nehru (ex-Prime Minister) next to the photographs of deities.

You might also like: Middle class kitchens of rural India or A village in Maharashtra or Huts in an Indian village or Photos of thatched huts from the Chennai area or Photographs of houses and huts from Dakshinachitra in South India (which has a picture of a model thatched hut) or Interiors of rural homes in India
Or if you want to pictures of rural people, click: Rural People
Related viewing: Sketches of traditional Indian houses

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Bulls photographs

Bulls are the male version of the cow! An integral part of farming activity. With their horns they are quite majestic creatures, and in fact play a significant role in the religious rituals of religions like Hinduism. Statues of bulls are often found at the entrance of temples as they are believed to be gatekeepers.
In these photos you can see two bulls resting on the side of a small country road at a farm. The horns of the bulls are painted. This is quite common in India.

 A closer look at the faces of the bulls.

You might also like Cattle grazing in the countryside or Stray Cattle in India or Cattle on city streets or Cowherds in Rural India
Or Yaks in Ladakh or Man with camel - photograph and silhouette  or try the label "Animals" for pictures of wild as well as domesticated animals.
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Group of temples at Mahabalipuram or Mammallapuram

Mahabalipuram, also known as Mamallapuram is a place near Chennai in the state of Tamil Nadu in India. Mahabalipuram is a historical place, and was a bustling sea-port and trading centre in ancient times around the first century CE. Many temples were built in this town and these photos are of the temples built in the 7th Century by the Pallavas dynasty of South India. This area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

These photographs are of a small group of temples in close proximity to each other in a small compound, and this cluster is near the famous Shore Temple and other famous Mahabalipuram temples in the vicinity.

Note the small independent temples in this temple compound at Mammallapuram. Sculptures of Elephants are often find in and around Indian Hindu temples as this animal is considered sacred to Hindus. The elephant  connotes attributes like abundance, fertility, strength and wisdom.

A view of the temples at Mahabalipuram with the blue sky in the foreground.

A closer look at the carvings and figures of the temples.

You might also like to see pictures of the Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram or Mammallapuram or photographs of Meenakshi Temple or Tiru-alavai images or check out the scores of images filed under the label "Temples" where you will find temples from different parts of the world, as well as sketches and silhouettes.

Or check out all the carvings, sculptures and paintings at Ajanta or Ellora, where you will find photographs of both the Ajanta and Ellora caves and the art.