Hinduism

=Durga= http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tCuUwUl9s9E/RxWKLqlC4oI/AAAAAAAAAB0/oxf6C3gWpF0/s400/durgapujo.jpg ==


 * Research

Summary

Hinduism believes in one supreme creator, Brahman. Hinduism is accepted as the world’s oldest religion. The Hindu’s believe that at various times in the history of mankind the Supreme Being came to earth in various forms depending on the needs of that time. Durga is one such manifestation of the Supreme Being; she is one of the “destroyer” forms of the Supreme Being. It is believed that Durga came to earth at a time of great anarchy and chaos to bring about stability and destroy the evil on earth. To show her strength she is depicted as having ten arms (In some regional variations, she is shown with twenty arms). Each arm has a weapon that was given to her by the Gods to help her in her fight over the demon “Mahishasura” “the water buffalo bull”. Mahishasura was invincible; he would change his form to elude being destroyed. Durga with all her strength was able to finally destroy him. For this reason she is often shown in pictures with her spear in Mahishasura’s chest, and he is shown rising from the beheaded body of the buffalo to fight her. Durga is credited with destroying the demon (hidden in the body of the buffalo) and restoring peace and prosperity in earth and liberating all from tyranny. To celebrate the victory of good over evil (Durga Puja) or the festival to celebrate goddess Durga is observed every year in autumn. The exact date varies every year, as it is based on the lunar calendar. The Indian community in St. Louis observes Durga puja each year with three days of festivities at the Mahatma Gandhi Center in Ballwin.

“Durga beheading the bull and exposing the deamon Mahishasura. Online Image. IndiaDivine. 9 September 2009. []

Bibligraphy 1. "Goddess Durga as Slayer of the Buffalo-Demon Mahisha (Mahishasuramardini).” Helibrunn Timeline of Art History. 9 September 2009. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/ho/08/ssh/ho_1986.498.htm. 2. “The essentials of Durga Puja.” __Durga Puja.__ 8 September, 2009. []. 3. Wickersham. John. “Devi.” __Myth’s and Legends of the World.__ Gale Student Resource Center. McCulloch Library, Saint Louis, Missouri. 9 September 2009. []. 4. “Durga beheading the bull and exposing the deamon Mahishasura. Online Image. IndiaDivine. 9 September 2009. [].

=Shiva=
 * Research

Summary

Shiva is most commonly known as the destroyer and is often portrayed as the lord of the dance. Shiva is one of the three principle deities. She is a goddess but very often is portrayed as a man. Shiva Nataraja represents the five cosmic activities. They are creation, protection, destruction, incarnation, and salvation. Shiva holds a drum to represent creation, a flame for destruction, and holds its hand in a gesture of reassurance (abhaya mudra) to show protection. Stepping on the creature "the dwarf of ignorance and illusion" is a representation of incarnation and the act of lifting the other foot off of the dwarf is a symbol of salvation. One of the hands is pointing to this act to emphasize it. The dance that Shiva does in the images is known as being set at the center of the universe in the golden hall of Chidambaram with all the other gods present. This all shows how symbolism is very important in the Hindu religion. The idea of cosmic energy was also very important. Overall, Hinduism has a lot of concepts that are represented very heavily through images and symbols. This shows very well when looking at artwork of Shiva.

=Vishnu=

This is Lord Vishnu:
= =
 * Research

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

=
Vishnu is one of the Holy Gods of Trinity, along with the Creator, Brahma, and the Destroyer, Shiva. Vishnu is the Preserver and Protector of all life. He is the vision of mercy, goodness, and self-existence, and maintains balance and order throughout the universe. In the first picture, Vishnu is laying on the Sea God, Shesha, whom Vishnu has conquered. Vishnu is also known as Hari, or the "remover".======

=
Vishnu means spreading in all directions. This indicates that he is the core existence as well as the force that keeps everything together. His other name Narayana means water. This ties into where he rests.======

=
His wife, Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, is always shown with Vishnu. She is usually shown as massaging his feet. Her being there in bodily form is just an interpretation of her being in his heart, spiritually. In the Second picture, where she and Vishnu are sitting side by side, she is seen pouring gold out of a pot. She bestows with "wealth" to anyone with good Karma. In a Hindu wedding, the bridegroom represents Vishnu and the bride, Lakshmi and they are seated in the same way.======

=
Vishnu usually has four hands and in each of his hands, he has a weapon of some sort. He has a Sankha, which is used to call or to start a war. He has Vaijra or Chakra, or a golden, sharpened disc, which he uses to kill demons. The third weapon is a golden club, for battle as well. He holding Padma or lotus in one of his hands. The lotus is a beautiful flower as it starts and preserves life. Lotus flower is where Brahma rests (also shown in the first picture). Vishnu has other weapons like a sword named Nandaka, and a bow named Sarnga. He also has a vehicle called Garuda, which is a half-man, half-eagle beast.======

=
Vishnu is said to be the most powerful God of Trinity and of all the gods and goddesses because he is able to come to earth as different avatars or figures. He is the only god that can do this. He awakes from his rest (he does not sleep) on the coils of the Sea Serpent and changes his character when his presence is on Earth because he is also responsible for destroying the demons when they become to powerful.======

=
Vishnu has taken different forms to protect the earth from demons. There are ten incarnations. The first is Matsya as a Fish. The second is Kurma as a Turtle. The third is Varaha as a Boar. The fourth is Narasingha as a Lion. The fifth is Vamana as a dwarf. The sixth is Parasurama or Rama with an axe. The seventh is Ram or Rama, the prince of Ayodhya. The eighth is Krishna. The ninth is Buddha. The Tenth will be Kalki. The tenth has a major story behind it that relates all the way to our time. It is said that Kalki (Vishnu), will come to Earth on a white horse and this will be Shiva's entrance and it will be the end of the universe.======

...Lord Vishnu
=**Chola Temples**= The Chola Temples are the world's most influential Religious temples in the world. The First temple built is the recorded biggest temple i the world. They are all approved by UNESCO as world heritage sites. The Brihadisvara temple at Thanjavur was built by the potent ruler of the Chola dynasty, King Rajaraja chola in the 10th century AD. This temple is a mirror to the exquisite Dravidian architecture and the paintings, letters and the inscription on the temple walls speak of the rich cultural heritage and high literary progress under this dynamic ruler. The Brihadisvara temple at Gangaikondacholisvaram was built by another erstwhile leader King Rajendhra Chola, son of Rajaraja Chola between 1020 and 1029 AD. The king after conquering Madurai and Ellum extended his territory till here and carried water from the river Ganges to purify the local water body thus giving this place the name Gangaikondacholisvaram. He later went on establish his capital in this place and also built a temple resembling the structure of the Brihadisvara temple at Thanjavur. This temple though a little smaller when compared to the temple at Thanjavur reflects the Chalukya architecture and also portrays the Pallava and Chola dynasties. The temple was damaged during the wars and was also used as garrison by the Pandya rulers and later on by the British.Airavateswara temple at Darasuram was built by King Rajaraja chola II and is a true representation of the chola dynasty.
 * Chola Temples**

research