Deities

LORD GANESHA is also known as Ganapati, Vinayaka. The beloved elephant God is considered the lord of success and the destroyer of evil. He removes obstacles to worldly and spiritual life and is worshipped as the God of knowledge, wisdom, prosperity and health. According to Hindu Mythology, as a popular legend goes, Goddess Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva, created Ganesha using clay, and brought Him to life. However, when Lord Shiva cut off his head in a fit of fury and enraged spouse, he replaced his head with that of an elephant. Ganesha Chaturthi is an important festival celebrated on a large scale all over India. When He is propitiated before the beginning of major undertakings, it is believed that he grants success, prosperity, and protection against adversity.

SRI RADHA KRISHNA Lord Krishna is one of the most worshiped deities in the Hindu pantheon. He is most often depicted with His consort Sri Radha as Sri Radha Krishna. Together, they represent the celestial union, the Divine interplay between Pure consciousness and it?s motive Power, which is the source of Creation. Sri Krishna is worshiped as the eighth Avatar of Lord Vishnu. In the Bhagavad Gita, as the Lord of the Universe, He teaches the path of Dharma or righteousness to His disciple Arjuna, who faces the same dilemmas on the battlefi eld of Kurukshetra as we face on the day-to-day battlefi eld of life: as doubts, disappointments, sorrow, grief and helplessness stare us in the face moment-to-moment. As the tactful Master- Navigator-Guide, Lord Krishna helps a devotee across the Samsaara saagara (ocean of birth, grief and death) and reach the goal of Sat-Chit-Ananda (TruthConsciousness-Bliss absolute).

LORD SHIVA is considered the embodiment of physical and mental peace. He is worshiped as Adi Yogi (the ancient Yogi), ever immersed in the bliss of Samadhi (meditative transcendental consciousness). He illuminates the entire Universe, and is the abode of all entities. He is the Adi Deva (Primordial Deity). He is also worshiped as the Shivalinga, which symbolizes the coordination between the Unmanifest and the Manifest and symbolizes the perfect synchronization between the Saguna Brahman (God with form) and Nirguna Brahman (formless God). He is referred to as the Maha Deva (the God of Gods), the Adi Guru (the Primordial Guru), Eswara (the Supreme Ruler), Jyeshtha (the Eldest of All and the Embodiment of Knowledge), Shreshtha (the most Superior of All), Prajapathi (the Chief Administrator), Parameshwara (the Supreme Lord). He performs the unending Tandava (Divine Dance) that is the source of the cycle of creation, preservation and dissolution of the Universe.

SRI SHIRDI SAI BABA is worshiped as the Incarnation of Lord Dattatreya, who in turn is considered as the Creator-Maintainer-Destroyer of this creation. Lord Dattatreya had graced Shri Sai Baba with the combined qualities of Lord Shiva, Lord Ram, Lord Krishna and Lord Hanuman. Sri Shirdi Sai Baba taught about religious harmony among human beings, among various sects and religions. Sri Sai Baba of Shirdi is worshiped as a manifestation of the Divine, the Sadguru (the Ultimate Guru or Teacher). He, through his simple yet profound teachings taught people how to cultivate peace of mind in a world full of strife through love and selfless service to all. The cardinal principles of His teachings are ?Shraddha? (Faith) and ?Saburi? (Patience). Sai Baba asked His devotees to have Faith and Patience combined with love and reverence towards all. Yet, He did not encourage His congregation of devotees to abandon their diverse belief systems, but rather pursue their own with unshakable faith, devotion, forbearance, and strong conviction that it?s the same one God that everyone is trying to call upon by different names. The latter was His favorite phrase which He iterated over and over to impress upon people that the God they worship through myriad names, languages, rituals, attitudes, festivals and prayers is but One. This message, He demonstrated in practice through a day-to-day life that was brimming with boundless love for human beings, animals, and plants. His simple and practical teachings helped people around Him to pursue fruitful lives in peace and harmony, and continue to hold good today, as profoundly as at any other time. The following Sanskrit verse is a prayer to Sri Sainath Maharaj: ?Sada Nimbavrikshasya mooladhivasat Sudhasravinam tiktamap-apriyam tam Tarum Kalpavrikshadhikam sadhayantam Namameeshwaram SadGurum SaiNatham? ?I bow to Lord Sainath, who by his constant stay at the foot of the neem tree ? which although bitter and unpleasant, was yet oozing nectar ? made it better than the wish- fulfilling tree. I bow to Lord Sainath, who always takes delight in resting under the neem tree and bestowing material and spiritual prosperity upon his devotees who lovingly attend on him.? In human life, the Guru?s place is prominent. By keeping utmost faith in the Guru alone, everything is obtained. A devotee?s entire strength is due to his Guru.

GODDESS DURGA is one of the central deities in Hinduism. The reverence for God as a Devi, the goddess or the feminine principle, goes as far back as the Rig Veda (chapter 10.125). In this form, God is worshipped as the Mother of the Universe. Mother Durga, with Her Grace lifts the veil of Maya (Ignorance) and guides the devotee onwards on the path to Moksha (Liberation).

LORD VENKATESWARA Lord Venkateshwara is the presiding deity of the temple of Tirupati located in the hilltop town of Tirumala in Andhra Pradesh, India. Also known as Sri Balaji, He is worshiped variously as Govinda, Venkata Ramana, Narayana and Srinivasa. Lord Venkateshwara is regarded as the form of Lord Vishnu, (the ?preserver? in the Hindu trinity of deities) and is revered especially in the current age of the Kali Yuga (the last of the four cyclic ages described in Hindu scriptures that the universe passes through before being destroyed and recreated). His temple is situated in a cluster of seven hills known as Venkatachalam and is the richest temple in the world in terms of donations received and total wealth. Worshipers on pilgrimage climb the seven hills barefooted devotedly chanting ?Govinda? on their way to take darshan of their Lord. This hill shrine is regarded as one of the eight holy sites related to Lord Vishnu, known in Sanskrit as the ?Swayamvyakta Kshetras?.

LAKSHMI DEVI For Hindus, Goddess Lakshmi symbolizes good fortune. The word Lakshmi is derived from the Sanskrit word Lakshya, meaning ?aim? or ?goal,? and in the Hindu faith, she is the goddess of wealth and prosperity of all forms, both material and spiritual. Worship of a mother goddess has been a part of Indian tradition since its earliest times. Lakshmi is one of the traditional Hindu mother goddesses, and she is often addressed as ?mata? (mother) instead of just ?devi? (goddess). As a female counterpart of Lord Vishnu, Mata Lakshmi is also called ?Shr,? the female energy of the Supreme Being. She is the goddess of prosperity, wealth, purity, generosity, and the embodiment of beauty, grace, and charm. A large volume of Sanskrit hymns have been composed in her praise.

Bhudevi is the Hindu goddess representing Mother Earth. As a tradition of nature worshippers, the Earth naturally has been an object of affectionate worship for Hindus. Within early Vedic texts, this goddess of the earth was also known as Prithivi. Bhudevi is also sometimes depicted with Lord Venkateswara swamy

Lord Rama is regarded as the seventh Avatar of Lord Vishnu, and is one of the most popular deities in Hinduism along with Lord Krishna. The popular Sanskrit epic ?Ramayana? tells us the story of Sri Sita-Rama. According to Hindu mythology, Sri Rama was born into the Ikshvaku dynasty, and thus was a direct descendant of Brahma ? the creator God. Sri Sita, the consort of Sri Rama is considered as an Avatar of Goddess Lakshmi, the Hindu Goddess of prosperity and good fortune. She is considered an exemplar of spousal and feminine virtues for all Hindu women. Lakshmana, Lord Rama's younger brother helped Him to win the war over Ravana. This victory is celebrated widely by Hindus in India and all over the world as the victory of Good over Evil even today. The joyous festivals of Vijayadashmi and Deepawali (the festival of lights) are celebrated annually to mark these events and remind us that good always triumphs over evil.

LORD HANUMAN'S LOVING SERVICE TO GOD As Sri Rama's life teaches us (since he was born into a royal family and went on to rule the kingdom of Ayodhya), how to lead a virtuous life as a leader; Lord Hanuman's life describes how he led a virtuous and ideal life as a selfl ess, humble devotee of the Lord. Hanuman, as the Ramayana tells us was Sri Rama's greatest devotee. In Hindu mythology, He is regarded as the son of Vayu (God of the Wind), and is said pacify Vayu, who in a fury had taken away the ability to breathe from every living entity in the universe. Hanuman's story teaches us the value of devotion to God, the love towards one's family, and of respect and humility towards all.

GODDESS VASAVI Sri Kanyaka Parameswari, also known as Vasavi, is the kula devatha of Vysyas who preached the mankind the principles of Righteousness, Integrity and Peace. She is the incarnation of Goddess Parvathi. Born to Kusuma Shresti and Kusumamba, who lived in the city of Penugonda located in kingdom Vengidesha, ruled by Vishnu Vardhana. She grew with love towards art, music, and great devotion to God. During an expedition journey, King Vishnu Vardhana spotted Vasavi and was attracted to her beauty. He wanted to marry her and sent his ministers to talk to Kusuma. The desire of Vishnu Vardhana was like a deathblow to Kusuma, who was neither in a position to accept nor deny. He responded saying that the Vysya community has certain norms for marriage, but the kings men insisted that she marry the king. Kusuma consulted the elders in the community and they decided to give importance to the views of Vasavi, who expressed her feelings to be a virgin throughout her life and intended to meditate upon eternal problems. Rising in anger hearing the denial of Kusuma to give his daughter, he sent a big army to attack Penogonda and get Vasavi. To avoid a bloodshed, Vasavi decided to enter the Homagundam. She indicated that she will be the fi rst one to enter and peace loving Vysyas may follow her. On the banks of Godavari, 103 Agnikundas (fi re pit) were constructed and Vasavi was joined by the couples of 102 Gothras. When Vasavi entered the homagundam of raging fi re, the fi re became a cool breeze and Agni Deva came out folding his hands and said that he could not bear Vasavi who was hotter than him. Vasavi offered to grow cooler so that he can transport herself and others to Kailash through her transplanatory prowess. Upon hearing the news, the King realizes his mistake. Vysyas around the world follow the message of Vasavi and remember her as the champion of Peace.

GODDESS SHARIKA BHAGWATI (or Sarika) is worshiped as the form of Shakti (the female principle that symbolizes the primordial cosmic power of the universe). Her temple, situated at the top of a hill called Hari Parbhat in Srinagar, India is one of the most ancient and holy places in Kashmir, especially revered as such by Kashmiri Pundits. The goddess is represented by a Yantra ( a mystical diagram consisting of geometric patterns) called the Swyambhu or Mahamaha Srichakra or the Mahashriyantra. It is perhaps due to this symbolism of the Srichakra that the capital city of Kashmir, Srinagar derives its name. The 18-armed goddess is regarded as the presiding deity (Ishtdevi) of Srinagar city. The month of Magh (the eleventh month of the year according to the Hindu calendar) and Navratri (the autumn festival of the nine auspicious nights) are times that devotees offer special worship at Her shrine

Datta- or Dattaguru, is a syncretic deity, and worshipped in many regions of India and Nepal as an avatar (incarnation) of the three Hindu gods Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, collectively known as Trimurti. While his iconography varies regionally, he is generally shown with three heads and six hands, one head each for Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, along with the symbolic items associated with each of these gods. He is typically dressed as a monk or Yogi, situated in a forest suggestive of his renunciation of worldly goods and pursuit of a meditative yogi lifestyle. Sometimes, he is surrounded by four dogs and a cow, which is a symbolism for the four Vedas and mother earth that nourishes all living beings. Dattatreya's fi rst avatar is Sripada Srivallabha, second avatar is Sri Narasimha Saraswathi, third is Manikya Prabhu, fourth is Akkalkota Maharaj and fi fth is Shirdi Sai Baba.

CHAVADI Baba's Chavadi was a beautiful place fully decorated with white ceiling, mirrors and lamps. Baba spent countless precious moments of the last decade of his life at Chavadi. He slept in the Chavadi every alternate day, which went on till his mahasamadhi. When the turn of retiring to the Chavadi came, people flocked to the masjid, the procession was accompanied with bhajans, music players, umbrella, horse and it was an eye-feast and blissful experience to all the devotees that have witnessed. All of us should remember the chavadi procession daily before retiring to bed.

Dwarakamai is where baba got his name "Sai" where baba resided for more than 60 years. The dhuni which he lit is still lighting till date. There is chula used by Baba to cook, place where he used to stand and the grinding stone used by him. Dwarakamai provides great vibes, immense sense of peace and satisfaction to the devotees who paid homage to Sai Baba in their own ways. Baba always said ? All the sufferings will come to an end when one climbs the steps of "Dwarakamai".