Word

Polytheism

Sanskrit

In General

Polytheism is a belief in many gods. Hindus accept many gods with a deeper understanding that each one is an aspect of ultimate truth. So, Siva, Vishnu, Durga, and even village god is an aspect of reality. This is why the Indian polytheism never militated against deeper philosophical conviction of monism.

Each Hindu temple have many deities. Each deity is an expression of well defined aspiration of the locality. Each idol is artistically perfect and has a profound appeal to the devotee.