Hinduism: Do Hindus worship idols?

No, Hindus are not idol worshippers in the sense implied. They are intelligent people, and intelligent people do not worship stones or statues. Hindus invoke the presence of great souls living in higher consciousness into stone images so that we can feel the presence of God. Though we may have a stone image of a God, we are invoking the physical presence of the God into the stone image to bless us. Invocations of this nature can be performed by invoking God's presence in a fire, or in a tree, or in the enlightened person of a Sat Guru.

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Read more here: » Idol: Encyclopedia - Idol

Idol

(Greek eidolon, "image") A pejorative term designating, narrowly, any three-dimensional or sculpted figure, or, more broadly, any basrelief or painting, mosaic, or mural of a figure representing a god or goddess and used in religious practices. The figure can be in human or animal or other form, including mixed human and animal.

Most world religions -ancient and modern, oriental and occidental-view such images as proper representations of divine beings to be the focus during worship. By contrast, some religions- ancient Hebraism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam-ban all representation of God in any form.

(See also: Idol, New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

There is no reference to worship of idols in the Vedas. The Puranas and the Agamas give descriptions of idol-worship both in the houses and in the temples. Idol-worship is not peculiar to Hinduism. Christians worship the Cross. They have the image of the Cross in their mind. The Mohammedans keep the image of the Kaba stone when they kneel and do prayers. The people of the whole world, save a few Yogis and Vedantins, are all worshippers of idols. They keep some image or the other in the mind.

The mental image also is a form of idol. The difference is not one of kind, but only one of degree. All worshippers, however intellectual they may be, generate a form in the mind and make the mind dwell on that image.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Hindu Worship: The Philosophy And Significance Of Idol-Worship

January every year, devotees throng the Sabarimala temple situated in the Sahayadri ranges in Kerala, to participate in the renowned Mandala Puja conducted during Makara Sankaranti.

The deity worshipped here, Lord Ayyappa, is believed to be an incarnation of Vishnu and is also known as Sastha and Harihara Sutha. The basic concept of incarnation is that God descends in order to let man ascend.

(See also: Makara Sankaranti, Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

In the Jagannath Puri festival the king works as a sweeper, cleaning the pathway ahead of the chariot, denoting that no labour is insignificant if done for a higher cause. People from all communities get together to draw the chariots with great enthusiasm, upholding the spirit of celebration and exalting the concept of dignity of labour.

(See also: Puri festival, Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Basics of Hinduism: 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.

Read more here: » Basics of Hinduism: Are Hindus idol worshipers?

There is no reference to worship of idols in the Vedas. The Puranas and the Agamas give descriptions of idol-worship both in the houses and in the temples. Idol-worship is not peculiar to Hinduism. Christians worship the Cross. They have the image of the Cross in their mind. The Mohammedans keep the image of the Kaba stone when they kneel and do prayers. The people of the whole world, save a few Yogis and Vedantins, are all worshippers of idols. They keep some image or the other in the mind.

The mental image also is a form of idol. The difference is not one of kind, but only one of degree. All worshippers, however intellectual they may be, generate a form in the mind and make the mind dwell on that image.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Hindu Worship: An Introduction to Hindu Worship

SRI HANUMAN is worshipped all over India - either alone or together with Sri Rama. Every temple of Sri Rama has the murti or idol of Sri Hanuman. Hanuman is the Avatara of Lord Shiva. He was born of the Wind-God and Anjani Devi. His other names are Pavanasuta, Marutsuta, Pavankumar, Bajrangabali and Mahavira.

From Hindu Fasts & Festivals by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Hanuman Jayanti: Hindu Worship -Hanuman Jayanti

World Idol (Germany: SuperStar Weltweit, Middle East: SuperStar El Alaam) is the title of the one-off international version of the television show Pop Idol. The competition was held in December 2003. After presenting the competitors, viewers from the 11 participating countries were allowed to vote by telephone, but not for the participant from their home country. All participants sang in Engl ...

Including:

• World Idol - Results
• World Idol - Judges

Read more here: » World Idol: Encyclopedia - World Idol

American Idol is the US version of British TV hit show Pop Idol. American Idol is featured on the Fox Network in the United States, and other versions of the show are broadcast on CTV in Canada (Canadian Idol), and Australian Idol on Ten Network in Australia. Pop Idol/Amercan Idol was created by Simon Fuller (creator of the Spice Girls and S Club 7) and Simon Cowell, the latter being one of the judges on both Pop Idol and Amercan Idol. American Idol is singing talent contest in which viewers can call in and vote on contestants ...

Including:

• American Idol - Background
• American Idol - Overview
• American Idol - Early auditions
• American Idol - On to Hollywood
• American Idol - Final twelve
• American Idol - Spin-offs
• American Idol - Season synopses
• American Idol - Season one
• American Idol - Season two
• American Idol - Season three
• American Idol - Season four
• American Idol - Season five
• American Idol - Season six and beyond
• American Idol - Product placement
• American Idol - Imitations
• American Idol - Trivia

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Billy Idol (born William Michael Albert Broad on November 30, 1955 in Middlesex, England) is an English hard rock musician. Idol lived in Worthing before attending Sussex University for only a year before joining the Bromley Contingent of keen Sex Pistols fans. During this period, Idol decided to become a musician and formed a band called Generation X in 1976 (see 1976 in music). Generation X signed to Chrysalis Records and released three successful albums before breaking up. Idol moved to New York City and began working ...

Including:

• Billy Idol - Discography
• Billy Idol - Albums
• Billy Idol - Singles
• Billy Idol - Quotes

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Canadian Idol is a reality television show on the Canadian television network CTV, based on the popular British show Pop Idol. The show is a contest to determine the best young singer in Canada. It is hosted by Ben Mulroney. The show begins with a cross-Canada tour where singers audition in front of four judges much like its sister Idol shows. Their names are Jake Gold, Sass Jordan, Zack Werner, and Farley Flex. During this audition process, the judges' reactions vary from a relatively open dislike to nearly-uncon ...

Including:

• Canadian Idol - Season one
• Canadian Idol - Season two
• Canadian Idol - Season three

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Australian Idol is the Australian version of the British TV hit show Pop Idol that airs on the Ten Network. It is a talent contest to find a pop performer and is hosted by Andrew G and James Mathison. The first season started on July 27, 2003, and finished on November 19. The winner was Guy Sebastian ahead of Shannon Noll. The 2004 season saw Casey Donovan win ahead of Anthony Callea. The 2005 season was won by Kate DeAraugo ahead of Emily Williams. Australian Idol - About the Show. The panel ...

Including:

• Australian Idol - About the Show
• Australian Idol - First season 2003
• Australian Idol - Second season 2004
• Australian Idol - Third season 2005
• Australian Idol - Commercial success

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Idolatry is the worship of an image, idea or object, as opposed to the worship of a supreme being. It is forbidden by some major religions such as the Abrahamic religions. Some religious authorities and groups have used the term to describe other religions apart from their own. Idolatry - Etymology. The word idolatry comes (by haplology) from the Greek word eidololatria, a compound of eidolon, "image" or "figure", and latreia, "worship". Although the Greek appears to be a loan tr ...

Including:

• Idolatry - Etymology
• Idolatry - Idolatry in many forms
• Idolatry - Idolatry in the Hebrew Bible
• Idolatry - Did idolators really worship idols?
• Idolatry - Were ancient Israelites ever henotheistic?
• Idolatry - Idolatry in Jewish thought
• Idolatry - Christian views of idolatry
• Idolatry - Muslim views of idolatry
• Idolatry - Eastern religions and idolatry
• Idolatry - Hindu views of idolatry
• Idolatry - Shinto views of idolatry
• Idolatry - Christian views regarding Confucianism as idolatry
• Idolatry - Buddhist views of idolatry
• Idolatry - Polytheistic views of idolatry in general
• Idolatry - Notes

Read more here: » Idolatry: Encyclopedia - Idolatry

Worship usually refers to specific acts of religious praise, honour, or devotion, typically directed to a supernatural being such as a god or goddess. It is the informal term in English for what sociologists of religion call cultus, the body of practices and traditions that correspond to theology. Religious worship may be performed individually, in informally organized groups, or as part of an organized service with a designated leader (as in a church, synagogue, temple, or mosque). In its older sense in the Engli ...

Including:

• Worship - Objects of worship

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Ballaleshwar temple is on of the eight lord Ganesh temples, Ashtavinayak. Among Astavinayakas, Pali's Ballaleshwar is the only vinayak who is famous by his devotee's name. It is located in village Pali which is at a distance of 30kms from Karjat in Sudhagad taluka of Raigad district. It is situated between fort Sarasgad and river Amba flowing on the other side. Ballaleshwar Pali - The temple. The original wooden temple was renovated in 1760 to make way for a new stone temple designed by Shri F ...

Including:

• Ballaleshwar Pali - The temple
• Ballaleshwar Pali - The idol

Read more here: » Ballaleshwar Pali: Encyclopedia - Ballaleshwar Pali

Vonzell Solomon (born 18 March 1984), also known as Baby V, is an American singer, one of the finalists from the fourth season of the reality talent search television show American Idol. Born Miyanda Vonzell Goethie in Baxley, Georgia, Solomon's family relocated to Fort Myers, Florida when she was several months old. Solomon attended high school at the Cypress Lake Center for the Arts. She holds a black belt in sembact martial arts; her father is a martial arts instructor. Her parents are Alice and Larry Go ...

Including:

• Vonzell Solomon - List of Vonzell's performances on American Idol

Read more here: » Vonzell Solomon: Encyclopedia - Vonzell Solomon

Yaghuth is an idol referred to in the Quran (71:23) as being worshipped in ancient Yemen. The name may be the source of H. P. Lovecraft's Yuggoth. Yaghuth - Sources. Encyclopedia Mythica ...

Including:

• Yaghuth - Sources

Read more here: » Yaghuth: Encyclopedia - Yaghuth

Idol

(Greek eidolon, "image") A pejorative term designating, narrowly, any three-dimensional or sculpted figure, or, more broadly, any basrelief or painting, mosaic, or mural of a figure representing a god or goddess and used in religious practices. The figure can be in human or animal or other form, including mixed human and animal.

Most world religions -ancient and modern, oriental and occidental-view such images as proper representations of divine beings to be the focus during worship. By contrast, some religions- ancient Hebraism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam-ban all representation of God in any form.

(See also: Idol, New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)