 |
| Hindu temple |
How many idols are there in Vedic Hindu temples?
It varies widely from temple to temple. Almost all Hindu temples contain at least one Murti (idol), though Hindu temples do exist that contain no idols. Most Hindu temples contain many Murtis, though one is primary. The number per temple may range anywhere from zero to several hundred in some very large temples.
To give an example, my local Hindu temple contains sixty-eight objects that might be called idols (in the sense of objects that each receive daily ritual worship directed specifically to them): forty-five Murtis, fifteen worshipped paintings or photographs, three Shiva Lingams, three special Yantras, and two holy shells (I think; I’m counting all these from memory and may be forgetting something).
Hindu temples actually tend to contain more Murtis than temples in South Asia, because our temples are so much scarcer here so we have to fit everything into one to serve all the needs of the Hindu community.
In India, a small local Durga temple like ours may not have Murtis of so many other Devatas, because you could just walk down the street to that other Devata’s temple if you want. The vast majority of Hindu temples are very small and contain between four and ten Murtis (one primary), I might estimate based on my experience in India and Sri Lanka. Larger temples usually (but not always) contain proportionally more.
By: Devala Rees - Hindu practitioner and scholar of Pagan religions
