Deities in the Temple

Are Hindus idol worshipers? Hindus do not worship a stone or metal 'idol' as God. We worship God through the image. We invoke the presence of God from the higher, unseen worlds, into the image so that we can commune with Him and receive His blessings. The stone or metal deity images in Hindu temples, shrines and homes are not mere symbols of the Gods, they are the form through which their love, power and blessings flood forth into the world.
 
We may liken this mystery to our ability to communicate with others through the telephone, we do not talk to the telephone; rather, we use it as a means of communication with another person, without the telephone, we could not converse across long distances; and without the sanctified icon in the temple, we cannot easily commune with the Deity.
 
Another way to explain icon worship is to acknowledge that Hindus believe God is everywhere, in all things, whether stone, wood, creatures or people. So, it is not surprising that they feel comfortable worshiping the Divine in His material manifestation. The Hindu can see God in stone and water, fire, air and ether, and inside his own soul. Indeed, there are Hindu temples which have in the sanctum sanctorum no image at all but a yantra, a symbolic or mystic diagram. However, the sight of the image enhances the devotee’s worship.

According to the basic principles of Hindu Philosophy God is Infinite, all powerful, and exists everywhere. Hence to convince the common people, the great sages of ancient India, conceived the Infinite should be explained in Finite forms. They conceived the best such forms are human figures endowed with such qualities and powers as may be needed for achievement of specific activities in this world. Accordingly, even though God is one Infinity, He is shown in the form of several deities in human forms each with the highest of power and qualities expected of human beings for specific activity. In the following the deities of Cincinnati Hindu temple are described explaining their status in Hindu Society and also the symbolic aspects they represent.