A home temple is a peaceful place where one prays and meditates according to his/her spiritual traditions. Selecting a good God idol that suits your home temple can be an extremely important step towards making it more personal. From traditional stone and brass murti to marble idols, there are a number of choices available in the present times that can suit one's home temple requirements.
In Hinduism, there are many gods and goddesses who can be worshipped in the house itself by the believers. Selection of the god or goddess mostly depends on individual beliefs and the reason for worship. God and goddess idols such as Lord Ganesha, Goddess Laxmi, Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva, Radha Krishna, Lord Rama, Maa Saraswati, and Goddess Durga can be selected.
1. Lord Shiva (Shiva-Lingam)
Lord Shiva is one of the most commonly worshiped gods in Hinduism. Worship of Lord Shiva can be through either a Shiva-Lingam or a customary idol. In case one decides to install a Shiva Lingam in the home shrine, it will be important to learn how it is traditionally worshiped.
2. Radha–Krishna
The Radha-Krishna idols represent divine love and devotion in the Hindu traditions. They are popular idols used in home shrines for the elegance and spirituality involved. Marble dust Radha Krishna murti will bring elegance to the home shrine.
3. Lord Ganesha
Lord Ganesha is the deity to be worshipped before beginning any activity, and He is associated with wisdom and knowledge and the remover of obstacles. A Ganesh idol for pooja room may be a perfect option for those who do the worshiping of Lord Ganesha.
4. Goddess Lakshmi & Lord Vishnu
Goddess Lakshmi is associated with prosperity, abundance, and good fortune, whereas Lord Vishnu is known as the preserver in Hinduism. Idols of Lakshmi and Vishnu may be worshiped together if both form an integral part of the worship by the family.
5. Maa Saraswati
Maa Saraswati is the goddess of knowledge, education, music, and wisdom. Those families whose children are students or musicians, or families who have a tradition of knowledge and learning can choose to worship Maa Saraswati. Saraswati idols in art form can be good decorative items in a home shrine as well.
6. Ram Darbar
The Ram Darbar is generally represented by Lord Rama accompanied by Goddess Sita, brother Lakshmana, and Lord Hanuman. The Ram Darbar murti represents the family virtues of Lord Rama. A Ram Darbar murti for home use is perfect for those families who are followers of Lord Rama.
7. Goddess Durga (or Kali)
The Goddess Durga is usually related to strength, protection, and the victory of good over evil. Another form of the goddess is known as Maa Kali. Devotees should choose a suitable idol from the temple.
The worship of a murti in Hinduism helps the worshipers channel their worship and prayers in a tangible form. It becomes easier for the devotees to create a place for worship with the help of a physical object.
The term "murti" usually implies the image or form of a god. Hinduism has many kinds of murtis representing different gods. Designs, positions, icons, and various accessories of the moorti may have some traditional meanings. That is why craftsmanship plays a significant role in the selection of an idol for the family temple.
In many homes, a murti allows creation of a space for performing regular prayers, meditation, and contemplation. The value of the idol lies in the devotion of the devotee, the methods of worship, and the traditions of the family.
Choosing an idol of God requires more than picking a design that appeals to one’s eyes. It must be such that is compatible with the temple at home and religious practices of the family.
● Choose a Deity Based on Your Purpose and Devotion: The first step is to consider which God is worshiped on a regular basis by yourself and your family members. Personal devotion is generally the major factor for selecting the murti.
● Consider your Family Tradition: Hindu worshiping practices may vary from one family to another and even from one region to another. Certain families observe certain practices concerning the deities, the forms of idols, and the methods of worship performed at home.
● Choose the Right Craftsmanship: A murti's craft is responsible for its attractiveness and detail. Pay attention to nice finishing, good proportion, good sculpting and fine decorations.A hand-made idol can have unique detailing due to the fact that each of these items is created by an artisan individually.
There are many different materials used for making god idols, and there is no ideal material which is common for all people. One should choose the material according to one’s own preferences, temple design, and other needs.
God idols made of brass or bronze are popular because of their appearance and durable nature. They can be very suitable for houses having traditional temples.
Marble is popular for its polished, luminous and elegant appearance. It can fit nicely into a traditional or modern home shrine. Another material for making the idols of choice can be that of marble dust idols, which will suit those who desire elaborate and attractive murtis. The material is made by processing marble into powder form and shaping it into religious figurines through proper techniques.
Idols made of wood have a natural and warm look. There are various types of wood that can be sculpted into beautiful shapes and therefore will blend well with traditional settings.
Stone has been used for sculpting for a long time. Idols made out of stone have a strong look, and there are many types of stones.
The best size of an idol is based upon the space available within the temple and worship practices of the family. The idol should be big enough to be easily visible but should not make the temple overcrowded.
1. Small Home Temple
For a small wall-mounted or shelf-style mandir, it is preferable to have small idols as there will be sufficient room left for the worship-related accessories. Small idols of Ganesha, Lakshmi, Krishna, or any other favorite god would do well here.
2. Dedicated Puja Room
The larger puja room offers more flexibility in terms of selection of the idols that families may opt for. The size of the idols must, however, not exceed the limits of the temple space. It is important to note that the arrangement of the idols should facilitate easy cleaning and worship of the idols.
Yes, there are indeed many Hindu families who worship many deities. But then the whole process must be carefully organized. Instead of cluttering the entire temple with so many idols, think of worshiping those deities that have some significant relationship to the family's traditions of worship.
Many times, vastu principles will be taken into consideration while building a home temple. It is best that different traditions are followed accordingly.
While choosing a site for a home mandir, it must be remembered that a place that is peaceful, clean, and easily accessible is preferable for such purpose. According to traditional Vastu principles, a site in the northeast region of the house is favorable for a home mandir. The design of the house must also be taken into consideration while choosing the site for the mandir.
Place the idols on a clean and stable platform and arrange them properly for easy worship. Do not crowd the temple and maintain enough space for puja items. Wash the idols frequently as per your family practices. A marble plate for puja is used for placing the offerings, flowers, and other items of puja and maintaining the organization of the temple.
This concept of auspicious god/deity relates with individual belief and traditions of the Hindu religion. Different families have different gods for different spiritual beliefs.
1. Prosperity: Goddess Lakshmi is worshiped for prosperity and fertility. The idols of Goddess Lakshmi are usually found in homes during festival seasons and special occasions.
2. Peace and Harmony: Radha-Krishna are associated with divine love and devotion. Families that worship Lord Krishna will usually use the form of this murti for their devotional center at home. In addition, a marble dust Radha Krishna murti will add to the serenity of the home temple through its elegance.
3. Protection and Strength: Lord Hanuman and Goddess Durga are associated with strength and protection from dangers. These devotees usually select murtis depending on their beliefs and devotion.
Hand-made God idols can help enhance the artistic value of your home temple. Each idol made by hand is unique in its detailing, finish, and artistry.
Traditional handcrafting is a skill handed down from generation to generation by skilled artists. The artisans take care of all aspects starting from facial expressions, postures, ornaments, and even the clothes worn by a deity.
The quality of the materials used in the manufacturing process and finishing plays an important role in making the idol look nice. It does not matter if you buy brass idols, marble, or stone murtis, but make sure they have been properly finished and detailed.
Conclusion
The selection of a God idol for a home temple is based on one’s belief, family customs, and available space. The size, material, and positioning of the idol must match with that of the temple, and at the same time, keep the place clean and organized.
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