OUR DEITIES

Our puranas and folklore abound in stories of Gods and Goddesses who exemplify peace, justice, compassion, and inclusion. As Hindus speaking for Human Rights of all communities, we take a moment to remember deities with whom we have had a personal connection in our lives.

GANESHAGanapathi is beloved by all Hindus as the Remover of Obstacles. As we embark on our advocacy for nyaya, shanti and manavta, we pray to Gajamukha, the elephant-headed one, to remove all obstacles in our arduous path. This is an 18-ft-tall ‘Dod… — GANESHA
Ganapathi is beloved by all Hindus as the Remover of Obstacles. As we embark on our advocacy for nyaya, shanti and manavta, we pray to Gajamukha, the elephant-headed one, to remove all obstacles in our arduous path.
This is an 18-ft-tall ‘Dodda Ganapathi,’ carved out of a rock face in Bangalore, from the time of the founder of the city, Kempe Gowda, five centuries ago.

BAHUCHARA MATABahuchara Mata is patron goddess of India’s transgender community and the Mother aspect of Shakti. By invoking her, we acknowledge Hindu society’s openness to LGBTQ+ citizens and we affirm the oneness of all humanity, embodied by the S… — BAHUCHARA MATA
Bahuchara Mata is patron goddess of India’s transgender community and the Mother aspect of Shakti. By invoking her, we acknowledge Hindu society’s openness to LGBTQ+ citizens and we affirm the oneness of all humanity, embodied by the Sanskrit phrase “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” or “The world is one family.”
This murthi is from one of New York City’s most progressive mandirs, Shri Shakti Mariamman Temple.

LORD RAMALord Rama is considered the perfect ruler, even if less than an ideal husband to Sita Devi. Rama Rajya has come to mean a just society, similar to Martin Luther King Jr’s Blessed Community. In these times of massive income inequalities, we … — LORD RAMA
Lord Rama is considered the perfect ruler, even if less than an ideal husband to Sita Devi. Rama Rajya has come to mean a just society, similar to Martin Luther King Jr’s Blessed Community. In these times of massive income inequalities, we draw our inspiration from the ideal of Rama Rajya.
These beautiful murthis of Rama Parivar are from the Neem Karoli Baba Ashram in Vrindavan, India.

TAOS HANUMANHanumanji is the God of unconditional love and devotion to Lord Rama and Sita Devi. His immense but restrained power, full of humility, is dedicated to fighting for truth and justice. His search for the life-saving sanjeevani reminds us … — TAOS HANUMAN
Hanumanji is the God of unconditional love and devotion to Lord Rama and Sita Devi. His immense but restrained power, full of humility, is dedicated to fighting for truth and justice. His search for the life-saving sanjeevani reminds us to fight for others’ lives, especially in these times of COVID-19.
This is from Taos, NM, at the Neem Karoli Baba Ashram. The ashram welcomes all, regardless of race, caste, gender, religion.

KATERI AMMANKateri Amman is a guardian deity in many South Indian villages. She is the sister of Kali Maa and Ganga Maa, and is believed to have the ability to venture into the depths of a devotee's body to remove sicknesses. She typically has a dar… — KATERI AMMAN
Kateri Amman is a guardian deity in many South Indian villages. She is the sister of Kali Maa and Ganga Maa, and is believed to have the ability to venture into the depths of a devotee's body to remove sicknesses. She typically has a dark appearance and is cited as a ‘Dravidian’ deity.
This murthi can be worshipped at Shri Shakti Mariamman Temple, Queens, NY.

MARIAMMANMariamman is a Goddess worshipped in Southern India, especially to ward off illness. In most shrines, men and women, usually non-Brahmins, perform pujas. During these times of mounting violence and injustice all around, we invoke this form … — MARIAMMAN
Mariamman is a Goddess worshipped in Southern India, especially to ward off illness. In most shrines, men and women, usually non-Brahmins, perform pujas. During these times of mounting violence and injustice all around, we invoke this form of Durga, willing to unleash her anger against wrongs.
This glorious depiction of Mariamman is from the Shri Shakti Mariamman Temple, Queens, NY.

AYYANNAR & KARUPPANAyyanar and Guardian deities such as Karuppan (the black one) or Veeran (the brave one) remind us that rural and agricultural South India worship non-Vedic Gods and Goddesses. Offerings often include liquor and sometimes anima… — AYYANNAR & KARUPPAN
Ayyanar and Guardian deities such as Karuppan (the black one) or Veeran (the brave one) remind us that rural and agricultural South India worship non-Vedic Gods and Goddesses. Offerings often include liquor and sometimes animal sacrifices. These deities are a reminder of the struggles of Dalit communities against discrimination in worship and community life.
This road-side shrine is on the highway between Chennai and Tiruchi.

LORD KRISHNABorn a kshatriya and raised as a lower caste yadava; Rules as a kshatriya and takes on the role of Arjuna’s charioteer in the great war; Becomes his spiritual adviser and guru as he brings us the great epic, Bhagavad Gita. We are inspire… — LORD KRISHNA
Born a kshatriya and raised as a lower caste yadava; Rules as a kshatriya and takes on the role of Arjuna’s charioteer in the great war; Becomes his spiritual adviser and guru as he brings us the great epic, Bhagavad Gita. We are inspired by Lord Krishna to reject any notion of fixedness of birth caste. Indeed, we reject the system of varna-jaati altogether.

ARDHANARISHWARAThere is no Shiva without Parvati, no male without female. The divine has no form, no gender, no boundaries. “Ardha,” “Nari,” and “Ishwara” meaning “half,” “woman,” and “lord,” respectively is a powerful symbol of gender equality. The… — ARDHANARISHWARA
There is no Shiva without Parvati, no male without female. The divine has no form, no gender, no boundaries. “Ardha,” “Nari,” and “Ishwara” meaning “half,” “woman,” and “lord,” respectively is a powerful symbol of gender equality. The spiritual way of the ascetic is Shiva, and the materialistic way is Parvati.
This 1000-year old idol stolen from a Tamilnadu temple was recently returned to its home by Australia.