The following is mostly from various entries in Wikipedia:
The Hindu religion (Hinduism) is the predominant religion of the Indian subcontinent, and one of its indigenous religions. Hinduism includes Shaivism, Vaishnavism and Śrauta among numerous other traditions. Among other practices and philosophies, Hinduism includes a wide spectrum of laws and prescriptions of "daily morality" based on karma, dharma, and societal norms. Hinduism is a conglomeration of distinct intellectual or philosophical points of view, rather than a rigid common set of beliefs.
Hinduism is formed of diverse traditions and has no single founder. Among its direct roots is the historical Vedic religion of Iron Age India and, as such, Hinduism is often called the "oldest living religion" or the "oldest living major religion" in the world.
One orthodox classification of Hindu texts is to divide into Śruti ("revealed") and Smriti ("remembered") texts. These texts discuss theology, philosophy, mythology, rituals and temple building among other topics. Major scriptures include the Vedas, Upanishads, Purāṇas, Mahābhārata, Rāmāyaṇa, Bhagavad Gītā and Āgamas.
Hinduism, with about one billion followers, is the world's third largest religion, after Christianity and Islam.
Hinduism refers to a religious mainstream which evolved organically and spread over a large territory marked by significant ethnic and cultural diversity. This mainstream evolved both by innovation from within, and by assimilation of external traditions or cults into the Hindu fold. The result is an enormous variety of religious traditions, ranging from innumerable small, unsophisticated cults to major religious movements with millions of adherents spread over the entire subcontinent. The identification of Hinduism as an independent religion separate from Buddhism or Jainism consequently hinges on the affirmation of its adherents that it is such.
Hinduism grants absolute and complete freedom of belief and worship. Hinduism conceives the whole world as a single family that deifies the one truth, and therefore it accepts all forms of beliefs and dismisses labels of distinct religions which would imply a division of identity. Hence, Hinduism is devoid of the concepts of apostasy, heresy and blasphemy.
Prominent themes in Hindu beliefs include (but are not restricted to), Dharma (ethics/duties), Samsāra (the continuing cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth), Karma (action and subsequent reaction), Moksha (liberation from samsara), and the various Yogas (paths or practices).
There are many Gods in Hinduism, some are common to all areas, some are more local deities.
Hindu worship is not congregational, but is done individually. You can frequently see a person standing at a small shrine of in front of a temple and pray. Worship is also often done at home with small statues of various Gods or Goddesses.
Hindu Legend of Creation
This is just one of many versions, they differ greatly in different areas.
In the beginning Vishnu alone was there. When Vishnu thought about creation, Brahma was created from a lotus that came from the navel of Vishnu, who was resting on the cosmic serpent, Ananta (Shesha).
After meditation Brahma created 14 planetary systems and many living beings came there in 8400000 kinds of material bodies according to their past desires. Brahma received Vedas from Om, and he is transmitting knowledge from Om Himself to Earth.
Hindu Temples
There are LOTS of Hindu temples in Nepal. They reach from very large and elaborate ones like the Chandeshwari Temple, to small shrines on the roadside. This was even more apparent in Nepal than in India. The temples are usually dedicated to one, sometimes to several, of the Hindu deities. From what I saw, Shiva had the most temples dedicated to him, while Ganesha had the most small shrines dedicated. Temples are almost always decorated lavishly. The red paint is used everywhere, on statues and pictures, in all the temples and shrines.
One aspect of temple decorations that is unexpected for Westerners are the erotic statues on some of the temples. They show very explicit acts in all variations. I saw some of those in India as well.
Pictures of Hindu Gods and Goddesses
Following is a listing of the Hindu Gods and Goddesses for which I have pictures. Some of the pictures are from bronze statues that I got in India, and some from ceramic tiles that I got in Nepal. The pictures of statues, shrines, and temples are from my trips to India in February 1999, to Việt Nam and Cambodia in 2003, to Nepal in October 2012, and to Bangladesh in January 2019.
Bronze statue of Brahma with the four heads. (527k) Statues of the Trimurti (Divine Trinity) in Varanasi, India, with Shiva on the left, Brahma in the center, and Vishnu on the right. (838k) Picture of the Trimurti, the divine Hindu trinity of Brahma (left), Vishnu (center), and Shiva (right), each standing on a Lotus, on the Shiva temple in Dhulikhel, Nepal. (747k) Statue at the Shiva temple on the way to Nagarkot, Nepal. This statue of a Hindu God is quite unusual. He has the four heads of the Hindu God Brahma. He holds Shiva's Trishula (trident) and the Damaru (drum). He also holds Vishnu's Shanka (conch shell) and Chakra (spinning disk), so he represents all three parts of the Trimurti, the Divine Trinity. (915k) Brahma Statue from the Chăm Kingdom in the Chăm museum in Đà Nẵng, Việt Nam. (333k)
Lord Krishna, and his consort Radha, on a temple in Dhulikhel, Nepal. (947k) Lord Vishnu, and Lakshmi, his consort, seated on the Shesha, on a temple in Dhulikhel, Nepal. (700k) Picture of the Trimurti, the divine Hindu trinity of Brahma (center), Vishnu (left), and Shiva (right) on the Shiva temple in Dhulikhel, Nepal. (747k) Lord Vishnu, the Protector. (934k) Lord Krishna, playing the flute, on a temple in Patan, Nepal. (849k) Lord Krishna, playing the flute and herding cows, on a temple in Patan, Nepal. (760k) Statue of Lord Vishnu, holding a Padma (lotus flower), a Gada (mace), a Shanka (conch shell) and Chakra (a spinning disk weapon), at the Kumbheshwor Temple in Patan, Nepal. (814k) Garudanarayan, a stature of Lord Vishnu (with the Gada, the Mace, and the Chakra, the spinning disk) and Garuda, his vehicle, in a temple in Patan, Nepal. (1012k) Bronze Vishnu statue. (513k) Painting in Orchha, India, of Vishnu resting on Shesha, the king of all nagas, with his consort Lakshmi at his feet. (873k) Painting in Orchha, India, with Varaha, an incarnation of Vishnu as a boar (right in blue). (1138k) Statues of the Trimurti (Divine Trinity) in Varanasi, India, with Shiva on the left, Brahma in the center, and Vishnu on the right. (838k) Statue at the Shiva temple on the way to Nagarkot, Nepal. This statue of a Hindu God is quite unusual. He has the four heads of the Hindu God Brahma. He holds Shiva's Trishula (trident) and the Damaru (drum). He also holds Vishnu's Shanka (conch shell) and Chakra (spinning disk), so he represents all three parts of the Trimurti, the Divine Trinity. (915k) Narasimha (Lion-headed God, an incarnation of Vishnu) in front of the 55 Window Palace in Bhaktapur. Nepal. It dates from 1698. (977k) Lord Narasimha (half-man, half-lion incarnation of Lord Vishnu), devouring the demon Hiranyakashipu, dating from 1673, in the palace in KathmanduDurbar Square, Nepal. (971k) God Vishnu on the temple roof of the Dimla Kali Temple in Rangpur, Bangladesh. Vishnu is sitting on his vehicle, the Garuda. (793k) Terracotta figure of Matsya, the first incarnation of Vishnu with a fish tail, on the Kantajew Temple in Dinajpur, Bangladesh. (1295k) Terracotta figure of Kurma, the second incarnation of Vishnu with a tortoise body, on the Kantajew Temple in Dinajpur, Bangladesh. (1194k)
Vishnu's Symbols (Garuda, Padma (lotus flower), Gada (mace), Shanka (conch shell) and Chakra (spinning disk weapon))
Vishnu's vehicle is Garuda, a combination of man and eagle. He is often depicted as riding on his shoulders. In front of most Vishnu temples is a statue of Garuda, usually a human figure with eagle wings.
Two Garudas in front of the Vishnu temple in Dhulikhel, Nepal. The lower one is the traditional Garuda, the upper one is one in Indonesian tradition. (871k) The Garuda, the vehicle of Vishnu, in front of a Vishnu temple in Patan, Nepal. You can see from the fresh decorations that it is actively worshiped. (1097k) Garuda in front of the Vishnu temple Trailokya Mohan in KathmanduDurbar Square, Nepal. (900k) The Shanka (Conch Shell) at the Dattatraya Temple in Bhaktapur, Nepal. (807k) The Chakra (spinning disk) is on the left, together with the Damaru, the drum, one of Shiva's symbols. On the right is the Shanka, the conch shell, next to Shiva's trident. (915k) Close-up of the disk of Vishnu at the Dattatraya Temple in Bhaktapur, Nepal. (777k) Vishnu with the Shanka (Conch Shell, lower left), Padma (lotus flower, upper left), the Chakra (spinning disk weapon, upper right), and the Gada (mace, lower right). (814k) Narasimha, fourth incarnation of Vishnu with a lion's head, holding the Chakra (spinning disk weapon, upper left), and the Gada (mace, upper right). (977k)
Painting of Shiva in the Shiva temple in Dhulikhel, Nepal. (793k) Picture of the Trimurti, the divine Hindu trinity of Brahma (center), Vishnu (left), and Shiva (right) on the Shiva temple in Dhulikhel, Nepal. (747k) Lord Shiva, the Destroyer. (900k) Lord Shiva, the Destroyer on a small shrine in Patan, Nepal. (822k) Picture of Shiva the Destroyer on a house in Panauti, Nepal. (846k) Colorful Shiva statue and fountain next to the Jagannarayan Temple in PatanDurbar Square, Nepal. (920k) Bronze statue of Nataraja, the dancing Shiva. (639k) Statue at the Shiva temple on the way to Nagarkot, Nepal. This statue of a Hindu God is quite unusual. He has the four heads of the Hindu God Brahma. He holds Shiva's Trishula (trident) and the Damaru (drum). He also holds Vishnu's Shanka (conch shell) and Chakra (spinning disk), so he represents all three parts of the Trimurti, the Divine Trinity. (915k) Statues of the Trimurti (Divine Trinity) in Varanasi, India, with Shiva on the left, Brahma in the center, and Vishnu on the right. (838k) Stone figure of Hindu God Shiva on a temple in Khajuraho, India. (1077k) Kailashnath Mahadev, the world's tallest Shiva statue (44 m (144 ft)) in Sanga, near Bhaktapur, Nepal. (721k) Statue of Kala Bhairab (one of the incarnations of Shiva, the Destroyer) at the Lion Gate in BhaktapurDurbar Square, Nepal. (1023k) Relief of Kala Bhairab (one of the incarnations of Shiva, the Destroyer). It was carved in the 6th - 7th century, found in the jungle in the 17th century and established in KathmanduDurbar Square, Nepal. (871k) Bronze statue of Ardhanarishvara, half Shiva, half Parvati. (513k) Shiva statue in the Dhakeshwari National Temple in Dhaka, Bangladesh. (647k) Shiva statue in the Dhakeshwari National Temple in Dhaka, Bangladesh. (1057k)
Shiva Lingam and Yoni
One symbol of Shiva that is found in essentially every temple of Shiva is the Lingam, usually placed on the Yoni, symbolizing a combination of the male and female sex organs.
Nandi, Shiva's vehicle, the bull, in front of the Shiva temple near Nagarkot, Nepal. (726k) Statue of Nandi, the bull, vehicle of Shiva in Patan, Nepal. It is protected in a cage. Apparently, art theft is a big problem in Nepal. (1060k) Nandi, the bull, the vehicle of Shiva in front of a Shiva temple in Patan, Nepal. (805k) Nandi, the bull, Shiva's mount, in front of the Yaksheshvara Temple in BhaktapurDurbar Square, Nepal. (856k) Roof decoration on the Yaksheshvara Temple in BhaktapurDurbar Square, Nepal, showing Shiva's Trishula, the trident. (508k) Shiva's Trishula, the Trident at the Dattatraya Temple in Bhaktapur, Nepal. (617k) A statue near Nagarkot, Nepal, showing Shiva's Trishula (trident, on right) and the Damaru (drum, on left). He also holds Vishnu's Shanka (conch shell, on right) and Chakra (spinning disk, on left). (915k) Painting of Shiva, showing the Trishula (trident) and the Damaru (drum) on the right. He has the cobras around his neck, the third eye on the forehead, and the Candraśekhara, the crescent moon on his head. He has long, matted hair, with the Ganges river flowing from his matted hair. On his raised hand is a lingam. (846k) Shiva statue showing the Trishula (trident) and the Damaru (drum), the cobras around the neck, and the Candraśekhara, the crescent moon on his head. (721k)
Goddess Saraswati, the Goddess of Knowledge, with the Sitar and a book, on a temple in Dhulikhel, Nepal. (745k) Goddess Saraswati, the Goddess of Knowledge, with the Sitar and a book, on a temple in Patan, Nepal. (856k) Goddess Saraswati. (961k) Saraswati in the Dhakeshwari National Temple in Dhaka, Bangladesh. (1037k) Saraswati on the temple roof of the Dimla Kali Temple in Rangpur, Bangladesh. Saraswati is sitting on her vehicle, the peacock. (616k)
Painted tile with picture of Parvati in Dhulikhel, Nepal. (855k) Painting of Parvati. (958k) Statue of Parvati in Dhulikhel, Nepal. (829k) Bronze statue of Ardhanarishvara, half Shiva, half Parvati. (513k)
Symbols of Parvati
The tiger is the carrier of Parvati, at the Chandeshwari temple, Nepal. (622k) A statue of a tiger, the vehicle of Parvati, at the Bangalamukhi Temple in Patan, Nepal. (742k)
Stone carved figure of Durga, slayer of the Buffalo Demon, at the Lion Gate in BhaktapurDurbar Square, Nepal. (1015k) Stone figure of Durga, the Buffalo Demon slayer on the Vatsala Devi Temple in Bhaktapur, Nepal. (752k) Statue of Durga slaying the Buffalo Demon in Dhulikhel, Nepal. (829k) Carving of Durga slaying the Buffalo Demon in a Shiva temple near Nagarkot, Nepal. (1079k) Durga in the Dhakeshwari National Temple in Dhaka, Bangladesh. (1069k) Durga in the Dhakeshwari National Temple in Dhaka, Bangladesh. (959k)
Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Vishnu, on a temple in Patan, Nepal. (899k) Lakshmi with her consort Krishna, one of the incarnations of Vishnu, seated on the Shesha, on a temple in Dhulikhel, Nepal. (700k) Lakshmi, Goddess of wealth, raining golden coins, on a temple in Dhulikhel, Nepal. (740k) Painting in Orchha, India, of Vishnu resting on Shesha, the king of all nagas, with his consort Lakshmi at his feet. (873k) Lakshmi in the Dhakeshwari National Temple in Dhaka, Bangladesh. (1003k)
Close-up of the Lu Dhowka (Golden Gate) in the palace in BhaktapurDurbar Square, Nepal, with the Goddess Kali in the center, flanked by two nymphs. (1125k) Goddess Kali on a house in Dhulikhel, Nepal. (815k) Goddess Kali. (906k) Bronze statue of Kali. (528k) Stone figure of Hindu Goddess Kali on a temple in Khajuraho, India. (1011k) Painting of the Godess Kali, with the necklace of human skulls and the skirt of human arms, sticking out her tongue, standing on the God Shiva. (676k) Statue of the Godess Kali, with the necklace of human skulls and the skirt of human arms, sticking out her tongue, standing on the God Shiva. (582k)
God Ganesha, the God of Beginnings and Remover of Obstacles, on a temple in Dhulikhel, Nepal. (767k) God Ganesha, the God of Beginnings and Remover of Obstacles in Patan, Nepal. (836k) A small Ganesha shrine in Patan, Nepal, decorated with flowers and red paint. (1046k) Wood carved Ganesha on one of the wooden support column in the Royal Palace in Patan, Nepal. (847k) Statue of the Elephant God Ganesha in Panauti, Nepal. (1009k) Ganesha Shrine in KathmanduDurbar Square, Nepal. (974k) One of the Ganesha statues in the Kasthamandap temple in KathmanduDurbar Square, Nepal. (763k) Ganesha on a newer house in Bhaktapur, Nepal. (770k) Shrine dedicated to Ganesha in Bhaktapur, Nepal. (880k) Shrine dedicated to Ganesha in Patan, Nepal. (1004k) Ganesha. (1015k) Small sculpture of Ganesha. People have these sculptures in their houses on the mantle. (442k) Bronze statue of Ganesha. (540k) Painting in Orchha, India of the Hindu God Ganesha. (855k) Entrance to the Amber Palace in Jaipur, India. Image of the Hindu God Ganesha above the door. (1012k) Stone figure of Hindu God Ganesha on a temple in Khajuraho, India. (1258k) Ganesha Statue from the Chăm Kingdom in the Chăm museum in Đà Nẵng, Việt Nam. (367k) Ganesha in the Dhakeshwari National Temple in Dhaka, Bangladesh. (886k) This stylized Ganesha was on many cars as a protector. (538k)
Picture of Hanuman the Protector on a house in Panauti, Nepal. (1022k) Shrine of the Monkey God Hanuman, the Protector of the king, in Panauti, Nepal. (855k) Monkey God Hanuman, covered with red paint, on the Chandeshwari Temple, Nepal. (878k) Closer view of Hanuman in the Hindu shrine in Dhulikhel, Nepal. The red color is used to decorate Hindu temples and shrines. After worship, people touch their forehead with the red paint. (1055k) Hanuman Dhoka Portal in KathmanduDurbar Square, Nepal, the entrance to the palace with a Hanuman statue, clothed, with garlands under an umbrella. The gate dates to 1672. (825k) Bronze statue of the Monkey God Hanuman. (504k) Painting of the Monkey God Hanuman in Orchha, India. (889k) Not all temples have to be big. This is a temple for the Monkey God Hanuman in India. (790k) Monkey on the statue of the Monkey God Hanuman in India. (734k) Relief of the Monkey God Hanuman in the Dhakeshwari National Temple in Dhaka, Bangladesh. (647k)
Statues in the Dhakeshwari National Temple, Bangladesh, with Kartik on far right. (949k) Statue of Kartik with his vehicle, the peacock behind him, holding his weapon, the bow. (970k) Relief of Kartik, son of Durga in the Dhakeshwari National Temple, Bangladesh. (756k)
Statue of the Goddess Varahi on the Dimla Kali Temple in Rangpur, Bangladesh. (786k) Statue of the Goddess Varahi on the Dimla Kali Temple in Rangpur, Bangladesh. (645k)
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