These are notes and thoughts organized from conversations with local people in combination with things I've read in online articles. Please feel free to correct (by commenting) anything I've incorrectly understood.
The earliest evidence for elements of the Hindu faith dates back as far as 3000 BCE (tha
t is 3000 years before the birth of Christ). Archaeologicaldigs in the Punjab and Indus valleys (right) have revealed the existence of urban cultures. Archaeological work continues on other sites at Kalibangan, Lothal and Surkotada.
The digs have revealed signs of early rituals and worship. For example, a large bath has been found, with side rooms and statues which could be evidence of early purification rites. Elsewhere, a large number statues of goddesses have been discovered which could suggest the practice of early fertility rites.
This early Indian culture is sometimes called the Indus Valley civilisation.
Contrary to popularbelief, Hindus recognise one God, Brahman, the creater of universe and all existance. After Brahman, the creator, there are three other principal gods: Brahma the creator, Vishnu, who preserves the universe, and Shiva, who destroys the evil in the universe.
t is 3000 years before the birth of Christ). Archaeologicaldigs in the Punjab and Indus valleys (right) have revealed the existence of urban cultures. Archaeological work continues on other sites at Kalibangan, Lothal and Surkotada.The digs have revealed signs of early rituals and worship. For example, a large bath has been found, with side rooms and statues which could be evidence of early purification rites. Elsewhere, a large number statues of goddesses have been discovered which could suggest the practice of early fertility rites.
This early Indian culture is sometimes called the Indus Valley civilisation.
Contrary to popularbelief, Hindus recognise one God, Brahman, the creater of universe and all existance. After Brahman, the creator, there are three other principal gods: Brahma the creator, Vishnu, who preserves the universe, and Shiva, who destroys the evil in the universe.
Brahma
Brahma is the Creator. However, Brahma is not worshipped in the same way as other gods because it is believed that his work - that of creation - has been done. Hindus worship other expressions of Brahman (not Brahma), which take a variety of forms.
Hindus are often classified into three groups according to which form of Brahman they worship:
Those who worship Vishnu (the preserver) and Vishnu‘s important incarnations (rebirths) Rama, Krishna and Narasimha; those who worship Shiva (the destroyer), and those who worship the Mother Goddess, Shakti, also called Parvati, Mahalakshmi, Durga or Kali.
Hindus are often classified into three groups according to which form of Brahman they worship:
Those who worship Vishnu (the preserver) and Vishnu‘s important incarnations (rebirths) Rama, Krishna and Narasimha; those who worship Shiva (the destroyer), and those who worship the Mother Goddess, Shakti, also called Parvati, Mahalakshmi, Durga or Kali.
Vishnu
Vishnu, the preserver is believed to be linked to a very early sun god and is considered by his worshippers to be the greatest among the gods. He is also referred to as Narayana.Vishnu preserves and protects the universe and has appeared on the earth through his avatars (incarnations) to save humankind from natural disasters or from tyranny. The most well-known avatars are Rama (see Ramayana), Krishna, who destroyed the wicked and established a new order, Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, and Kalki. Vishnu is represented in sculpture and painting in human form, often painted blue.
Shiva
The god Shiva is part of the Hindu Trinity, along with Vishnu and Brahma. He is considered to be everything by those who worship him: creator, preserver and destroyer. In Shiva, the opposites meet. Shiva the destroyer is a necessary part of the trinity because, without destruction, there can be no recreation. His city is Varanasi, and any Hindu who dies there is believed to go straight to heaven. Shiva is the source of both good and evil who combines many contradictory elements.
In pictures and sculptures, Shiva is represented as Lord of the Dance who controls the movement of the universe. He is also associated with fertility. Shiva has many consorts, including Kali, often portrayed as wild and violent, Parvati, reknowned for her gentleness, and Durga, a powerful goddess created from the combined forces of the anger of several gods.
Vishnu, the preserver is believed to be linked to a very early sun god and is considered by his worshippers to be the greatest among the gods. He is also referred to as Narayana.Vishnu preserves and protects the universe and has appeared on the earth through his avatars (incarnations) to save humankind from natural disasters or from tyranny. The most well-known avatars are Rama (see Ramayana), Krishna, who destroyed the wicked and established a new order, Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, and Kalki. Vishnu is represented in sculpture and painting in human form, often painted blue.
Shiva
The god Shiva is part of the Hindu Trinity, along with Vishnu and Brahma. He is considered to be everything by those who worship him: creator, preserver and destroyer. In Shiva, the opposites meet. Shiva the destroyer is a necessary part of the trinity because, without destruction, there can be no recreation. His city is Varanasi, and any Hindu who dies there is believed to go straight to heaven. Shiva is the source of both good and evil who combines many contradictory elements.
In pictures and sculptures, Shiva is represented as Lord of the Dance who controls the movement of the universe. He is also associated with fertility. Shiva has many consorts, including Kali, often portrayed as wild and violent, Parvati, reknowned for her gentleness, and Durga, a powerful goddess created from the combined forces of the anger of several gods.
Most Hindu temples are closed to people who are not Hindu, however one we visted in Jaipur was open to people of all religions. Built in 1985 the Birla Lakshmi Narayan Temple is made of one hundred percent pure marble. It is a Vishnu temple where people can worship Vishnu and his gods 
and godde
sses. A beatiful structure pictures were 
only permitted outside. 
and godde
sses. A beatiful structure pictures were 
only permitted outside. 
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