Rubin Museum of Art

Hindu Gods and Goddesses

Hindu gods (deva) are thought to be manifestations of the absolute, or Brahman. The goddesses (devi) are considered manifestations of the Great Mother Goddess (Mahadevi), who is seen as the counterpart to Brahman.

Art 36 Spiral 7

Yellow Jambhala

Tibet, 17th century

Vishnu with the King of Snakes, Shesha

Nepal, ca. 17th century

Nepal, 12th century

Two-sided Festival Banner of Varunani and Varahi

Nepal, 17th or 18th century

Nepal, 18th century

Sharabha; fragment of a throne frame

Nepal or Tibet, 14th - 15th century

Shiva and Parvati

Nepal, 13th century

Nepal, 15th century

Shiva Vishavarupa, Universal form with Consort

Nepal, mid-19th century

Nepal, 17th century

Nepal, dated by inscription, 1694

Nepal, Dated by inscription 1796

Sketchbook page, Naga Mandala

Nepal, 18th century

Snake Goddess Manasa

Northeastern India, 12th century

Protective Goddess in Peaceful and Wrathful Form

Central Tibet, 1790-1805

Lotus Goddess, Lakshmi

Nepal, 17th century

Nepal, 11th century

Nepal, 17th or 18th century

Kashmir, India, 10th century

Indra, Hurling His Thunderbolt

Nepal, 12th century

Nepal, Dated by inscription,1463

Nepal, 16th century

Four-Faced Linga

Nepal, 18th - 19th century

Forest Goddess Parnashavari

Central Tibet, 19th century

Nepal, 17th century

Madhya Pradesh, India, 11th century

Nepal, 17th century

Goddess Shri or Lakshmi

Nepal, 18th century

Nepal or Tibet, 14th century

Durga Killing the Buffalo Demon (Durga Mahisasuramardini)

Nepal, 12th-13th century

Dancing Ganapati

Tibet, 17th century

Cosmic Vishnu (Vishvarupa)

Nepal, 17th - 18th century

Book Cover with Ten Incarnations of Vishnu

Nepal, ca. 1600

Tibet, 13th century

Nepal, 13th or 14th century

Agni, God of Fire

China, first half of the 15th century

A daughter documents her mother's decline and the Hindu rites around death and mourning

Personal Perspectives Photography Magazine

Female Power in the Himalayas

Goddesses, bodhisattvas, and dakinis are prominent in Hindu and Buddhist art

Hinduism Female Power Buddhism

Overcoming Obstacles

Celebrating the beloved god Ganesha

Holidays Hinduism

Iconic Animals in Himalayan Art

These creatures are more than just pets

Hinduism Buddhism Traditional Himalayan Art

Fluid Depictions of Gender and Identity in Himalayan Art

Deities beyond the binaries of gender

Traditional Himalayan Art Buddhism Hinduism

Hindu Legends That Inspired the Colorful Holi Festival

Learn about the celebration of the victory of good over evil

Hinduism Photography Holidays

Celebrate Diwali with Five Refreshing Insights from Ganesha

Find light and wisdom in the beloved Hindu deity

Holidays Hinduism