Hindu Mythological Art

Vibrant illustrations representing Hindu deities, showcasing divine interactions and significant mythological events, using vibrant colors and rich details reflecting cultural spirituality.

Brahma, Hindu 'Absolute', receiving an offering. Brahma first in the Hindu divine triad, the others being Vishnu and Shiva. After 18th century Indian miniature.

Krishna Tells a Friend About Being in Love Illustration to the Poem "Rasamanja-Ri" Indian Art Gouache on paper

Hinduism, hindu art, himalayan academy art, religion, spirituality, artist S. Rajam, rama, sita, krishna, radha, vishnu, homa, fire, marriage, ramayana, mahabharata, brahma, sage, sadhu Copyright: xHimalayanxAcademy/DinodiaxPhotox

Devi seated on a tiger before Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. Gouache painting by an Indian artist.

Devi seated on tiger prepares to battle a demon. Gouache painting by an Indian artist.

Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma Adoring Kali. India, Himachal Pradesh, Basohli, circa 1740. Drawings; watercolors. Opaque watercolor, gold, silver, and ink on paper

Temple, dance, drum, flute, cymbals, ananda tandava, sages, dancing with shiva, artist S. Rajam, hindu belief, hindu, hinduism, art, himalayan academy art, sage, rishi, fire, music, tandava, nataraja, nandi Copyright: xHimalayanxAcademy/DinodiaxPhotox

The Kizil Caves (Qizil Ming Oy; Kizil Cave of a Thousand Buddhas) are 236 Buddhist rock-cut caves located near Kizil Township in Xinjiang. The site is located on the northern bank of the Muzat River 75 kilometres by road northwest of Kucha (Kuqa). This area was a commercial hub of the Silk Road. The caves are said to be the earliest major Buddhist cave complex in Xinjiang, with development occurring between the 3rd and 8th centuries. Although the site has been both damaged and looted, at least 1000 square metres of wall paintings mostly Jataka stories remain.

Brahma, Hindu 'Absolute', receiving an offering. Brahma first in the Hindu divine triad, the others being Vishnu and Shiva. After 18th century Indian miniature.

10 questions, hindu belief, hindu, hinduism, art, artist Manivelu, himalayan academy art, shiva, dakshinamurti, himalayas, sages, saints, shiva as silent teacher, scriptures, ola leaf, palm leaf, prayers, ice, worship, saivite, siva, Copyright: xHimalayanxAcademy/DinodiaxPhotox

The Goddess Durga as Bhadrakali (recto); Text (verso). India, Himachal Pradesh, Basohli, circa 1675. Drawings; watercolors. Opaque watercolor, gold, and silver on paper

The Gods Adoring Durga after Her Defeat of a Demon, Folio from a Devimahatmya (Glory of the Goddess). India, Madhya Pradesh, Chatarpur (Bundelkhand), circa 1775. Drawings; watercolors. Opaque watercolor and gold on paper

The demigod, monkey Hanuman, jumps from one mountain top to the other, in his raised left hand he holds up a piece of rock with medicinal herbs, and in his right hand a club. Around the representation a white border and a broad brown-orange leaf edge, Hanuman jumps on mountain peaks., draughtsman: anonymous, Mandi, 1780, paper, brush, h 275 mm × w 226 mm, h 192 mm × w 143 mm

Gajalakshmi: Lakshmi with Elephants, 1800s. India, Calcutta, Kalighat painting, 19th century.

Youth, sanctum, deity, rudraksha mala, linga, ghee lamps, murti, shiva, temple, dancing with shiva, artist S. Rajam, hindu belief, hindu, hinduism, himalayan academy art, lamp, worship, shiva, devotee, rudraksha, blessing, trishula Copyright: xHimalayanxAcademy/DinodiaxPhotox

Maharao Chattar Sal (reigned 1758-64) of Kota in a Palanquin, c. 1760. Northwestern India, Rajasthan, Kota. Color and gold on paper; overall: 28.3 x 39.2 cm (11 1/8 x 15 7/16 in.); with borders: 31.6 x 42.7 cm (12 7/16 x 16 13/16 in.). The king sits in his litter with a sun and moon disk behind his head, emphasizing the light of divine sanction for his rule. His power and grandeur seem to inspire his attendants to stride with effortless enthusiasm. Symbols of royalty abound in his retinue: cavaliers on horseback, spear bearers, soldiers with swords and daggers, attendants with peacock-feather fans, and archers carrying bows draped in red and quivers full of arrows.The small kingdom of Kota achieved independence in 1624, and its rulers, called rao (king) or maharao (great king) in the local dialect of Rajasthani, supported an atelier of artists at their court. Kota artists were known for dynamic and idealized portrayals of their rulers engaged in activities thatemphasized the kings su

Satguru, puja, devotee, dancing with shiva, artist S. Rajam, hindu belief, hindu, hinduism, art, himalayan academy art, foot-touching, palace, king, scepter, shiva, shakti, nandi, respect, shiva, supreme god, devi, goddess parvati Copyright: xHimalayanxAcademy/DinodiaxPhotox

Vamana being blessed by King Bali ca. 1780s India (Andhra Pradesh) Set on a green ground with a series of delicate red and white flowering plants in the foreground, each figure stands in raised gilt sandals wearing a two-coloured dhoti and gilt ornaments. The prince is shaven-headed with a looped pigtail, his parasol held in the crook of his arm while he holds his hands forward for ritual purification. The white-faced priest wears a traditional conical south Indian headdress as he solemnly pours water from a gilt ewer. All the gilt decoration - the jewellery, headdress, sandals, parasol and garment borders is applied gold leaf which is burnished and heightened with colour and pin-prick incisions.. Vamana being blessed by King Bali. India (Andhra Pradesh). ca. 1780s. Opaque pigments with gold on paper. Paintings

Erotic miniature painting, india, asia Copyright: xRupinderxKhullar/DinodiaxPhotox

Lord Ganesh ganpati Riddhi and Siddhi Miniature Painting on Paper Copyright: xBhagwandasxRupani/DinodiaxPhotox

'The Dance of Shiva', 1920. Tandavam, the divine dance of Hindu god Shiva, source of the cycle of creation and destruction. From "Myths of the Hindus & Buddhists", by The Sister Nivedita and Ananda K. Coomaraswamy. George G. Harrap & Company Ltd, London, 1920

Painting of temple musician Copyright: xHimalayanxAcademy/DinodiaxPhotox

A snake charmer with three snakes and attendant. Gouache drawing.

A priest decorating the Shivalingam which also has a statue of Lord Shiva behind it. Gouache painting by an Indian artist.

Isis, whom the Egyptians worshiped as the goddess of nature and of magic is shown asking the god Ra to reveal his true name.

Buddha as an incarnation (avatara) of Vishnu; Vishnu avatars. Vishnu in the form of the Buddha, sitting in a temple. The show is framed by a narrow white piping, around it a wide orange-red decorative edge with black frame lines; This leaf is stuck on a sheet of carduffler on which a black frame line is drawn in pencil.

Hinduism, hindu art, himalayan academy art, religion, spirituality, artist S. Rajam, krishna, arjuna, bow, arrow, bhagavat gita, chariot, war, battle Copyright: xHimalayanxAcademy/DinodiaxPhotox

Shiva Seated on a Throne in a Landscape, c. 1760. Northern India, Himachal Pradesh, Pahari Kingdom of Chamba. Gum tempera on paper; page: 30.2 x 21.9 cm (11 7/8 x 8 5/8 in.); image: 28.3 x 19.8 cm (11 1/8 x 7 13/16 in.). Shiva is depicted sitting on snakes coiled up together on a royal seat. The scene is set in a rocky mountainous setting with a row of trees in the background. In the paintings from Chamba, Shiva is usually depicted with a white complexion in three-quarter view. This formula has remained consistent for over a century with very few exceptions.

Hinduism, hindu art, himalayan academy art, religion, spirituality, artist S. Rajam, demon, asura, ocean, vel, murugan, skanda, kartikkeya Copyright: xHimalayanxAcademy/DinodiaxPhotox

The Natha Devale is the oldest building in Kandy and dates to the 14th century CE. The shrine has always been associated with Kandyan royalty and was built by King Vikramabahu III (r. 1357 - 1374). Kandy is Sri Lanka's second biggest city with a population of around 170,000 and is the cultural centre of the whole island. For about two centuries (until 1815) it was the capital of Sri Lanka.

Krishna as Kali Worshipped by Radha (recto), c. 1890. Eastern India, Bengal, Kolkata, Kalighat. Watercolor, graphite, and ink on paper; secondary support: 48.1 x 29.7 cm (18 15/16 x 11 11/16 in.); painting only: 25.4 x 20.4 cm (10 x 8 1/16 in.). Krishnas cowgirl (gopi) Radha was Ayanaghoshas wife, and her devotion to him transcended marital ties. Whenever Radha was together with Krishna and her husband appeared, Krishna instantly transformed himself into Kali and Radha into her devotee. Radha, a model devotee, symbolizes the human soul and its longing for god. Her willingness to break the rules of duty (dharma) exemplifies her devotion.

Baby Krishna Asking for Butter from Yashoda, 1800s, Indian and Southeast Asian Art

Ganga on a Crocodile, 19th century, 17 5/8 x 11 5/16 in. (44.7 x 28.8 cm), Watercolor on paper, India, 19th century, Ganga, the goddess of the sacred Ganges river, sits on her crocodile vehicle. The upside down elephant on her left and Brahmin priest at her right reflects an iconographic convention from contemporaneous advertisements and product labels.

Damayanti choosing a husband

The Buraq Worshipped by Two Princes (recto); Calligraphy (verso). India, Jammu and Kashmir, Kashmir region, 19th century. Drawings; watercolors. Opaque watercolor on paper

Lord Rama sitting with his consort Sita on his lap ; Lakshman ; Bharat and Shatrughan behind and Monkey God Hanuman with folded hands in the front on left ; India

According to Egyptian mythology, after Rud-didet bore sons to the great god Ra, the goddesses isis, Nebhat, Meskhent, Hakt, and Khnumu were asked to go to her. They did so, all except Khnumu who acted as the porter for the goddesses, and they went as dancing girls, as depicted in this 1915 illustration by American artist Evelyn Paul.

Hanuman with the sun in his tail carrying the Mountain of Healing Herbs. Gouache drawing.

The ninth incarnation of the god Vishnu in Buddha in the temple of Jagarnath, watercolour, 26x18 cm, India. Indian Civilisation.

A couple worshipping the Shiva linga ; the woman puts a garland around the lingam. Gouache painting by an Indian painter.

Women at the Terrace Indian Miniature c. 18th Century Indian Art Ink with watercolor Free Library, Philadelphia

Guimet museum. The Samudra Manthana explains the origin of the elixir of eternal life, amrita. India, 18 th century. Paris. France.

Shiva Pancha-vaktra, anonymous, 1730 Indian miniature. drawing Shiva in multiple forms, in the middle as a whole and the individual forms above and below the leaf, three upstairs, two downstairs. Around the show on blue two white frame edges with black colored, around it a brown-orange edge on which some inscriptions. Mandi paper brush

. Shiva in multiple forms, in the middle as a whole and the individual forms above and at the bottom, three upstairs, two downstairs. Around the show on blue two white frame edges with black colored, around it a brown-orange border on which some inscriptions.

Rong Thanh Temple. Life of Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama. Prince Siddhartha cut off his hair to renounce the worldly life at the bank of the Anoma River. Tan Chau. Vietnam.

Depiction of an erotic scene, love scene, sex, in a 19th century edition of the Kama Sutra, textbooks on eroticism, India, Arabia, Historical, digitally restored reproduction of an original from the period, Asia

Rama and Hanuman, a Hindu deity in the form of a monkey, holding an uprooted tree, rescue Sita (recto), c. 1890, East India, Bengal, Kolkata, Temple Kalighat, Historic, digitally restored reproduction from a 19th century original

Hinduism, hindu art, himalayan academy art, religion, spirituality, artist S. Rajam, sarasvati, music, knowledge, buddha, sound, wisdom, lovers, indian art Copyright: xHimalayanxAcademy/DinodiaxPhotox

Miniature Painting on Paper, Ragini deshkar, naltdwara school Copyright: xBhagwandasxRupani/DinodiaxPhotox

Shiva, a very mixed-up character, is a ruthless destroyer, but also a devoted family man, here with wife Parvati and their children Skanda and Ganesha.

Durga slaying the Buffalo demon surrounded by deities on a stand within a torana. Coloured transfer lithograph.

"Indra Worships the Elephant-Headed God Ganesha, Seated on a Throne." Folio from the Tehri Garhwal Series of the Gita Govinda Indian ca. 1775-80 The deity Ganesha is venerated for removing material and spiritual obstacles, so it is fitting that this opening folio from a Gita Govinda series depicts the god Indras reverence for him. Sitting on a low throne within a pavilion, Ganesha is treated like an icon in a temple rather than as a narrative participant. The painters who produced this work are the descendants of the great artist Manaku (active ca. 1725-60), who created a related Gita Govinda series, and his brother Nainsukh (active ca. 1735-78), who stylistically updated Manakus compositions and produced more than 150 drawings of his own that became the basis of this series. After Nainsukhs death in 1778 the artists family and their workshop painted these fully realized masterpieces of late Pahari tradition. View more. "Indra Worships the Elephant-Headed God Ganesha, Seated on a Thron

Ravana, 1800s, Indian and Southeast Asian Art

Balarama and Krishna, 1800s, Indian and Southeast Asian Art

Jagannath, Subhadra and Balarama in an Arch (verso), 1700s. India, Orissa, Mysore school, 18th century. Color on cloth; image: 19.5 x 15 cm (7 11/16 x 5 7/8 in.); overall: 25.5 x 17 cm (10 1/16 x 6 11/16 in.).

Parvati enthroned nursing Ganesha. Watercolour drawing.

Durga mounted on a lion killing the buffalo demon Mahishasura. Gouache painting by an Indian artist.

Sita, the goddess of agriculture in Hinduism, is lured by a disguised Ravana while Rama and Laksmana hunt in the forest, 1890, East India, Bengal, Kolkata, Temple Kalighat, Historic, digitally restored reproduction from a 19th century original

Lord Ganesh ganpati with Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Durga, Miniature Painting on Paper Copyright: xBhagwandasxRupani/DinodiaxPhotox

Detail from a 19th century enamel and glazed picture depicting the Hindu legend of the Ramayana. The Ramayana is one of the two epic Hindu poems, the other being the Mahabharata. The Ramayana describes a love story between Rama, an ancient King, and Sita, who is captured by Ravan, the King of Ceylon. Rama lays siege to Ceylon and wins back Sita

Dasaratha comes back after Putreshthi's sacrifice. Ilustracin from Indian epic poem 'Ramayana', 17th century. Hindu art. Miniature Painting.

A Tantric Form of the Hindu Goddess Indrani (). Nepal, 17th century. Drawings. Ink and opaque watercolor on paper

Gajendra Moksha (Sanskrit: जेन्द्रमोक्षः) is a Puranic legend from Bhagavata Purana. Lord Vishnu came down to earth to protect Gajendra (elephant) from the death clutches of Makara (crocodile). Gajendra was the King of the Elephants. One hot day, he proceeded to the lake with his family to cool off in its fresh waters. But from within the lake a crocodile appeared who attacked him and would not let go of him. When the family and relatives saw ‘death’ coming close to Gajendra, and everyone realised that everything was lost, they left Gajendra alone. Gajendra prayed to god Vishnu to save him. Vishnu came to the aid of Gajendra, who offered a lotus to the god. Vishnu attacked the crocodile and saved His Loved One. Gajendra, in his previous life was a great devotee called Indradyumna who was also a great king. One day, Agastya, a great sage came to visit the king. Indradyumna did not receive the Sage with the respect that the latter expected. The enraged Agastya cursed the king to become

A three-headed idol of Vishnu's incarnations, Naraisimha and Varaha (). Gouache painting by an Indian artist.

Madhubani painting, bihar, india, asia Copyright: xDebasishxBanerjee/DinodiaxPhotox

Kali with all of her symbols and dog. Gouache drawing.

Indian pastry chef and wife. Gouache drawing.

Balarama and Krishna, c. 1890. Eastern India, Bengal, Kolkata, Kalighat. Watercolor, graphite, and ink on paper; painting only: 45.3 x 27.9 cm (17 13/16 x 11 in.). Here a divine sibling pair, Balarama and Krishna, are portrayed as mirror images of one another.

Raja Munnar () holding a sword in his right hand. Gouache painting by an Indian artist.

India: The Mughal emperor Muhammad Shah with a hookah and three female attendants, c. 1735

Shiva and Parvati sitting on their throne with Nandi the bull. Watercolour drawing.

Two begging Brahmans carrying a religious altar and symbols. Gouache drawing.

Ardhanarishwara; a half male-half female form, representing the culmination of Shiva and Parvati. Gouache painting by an Indian artist.

Khanderao warrior on horseback with a woman seated behind, defeating two demons assisted by two dogs. Chromolithograph.

Painting of Vishnu and his consort Lakshmi riding on the bird-god Garuda. Artist: Unknown

Hinduism, hindu art, himalayan academy art, religion, spirituality, artist S. Rajam, shiva, ascetic, shakti, padme, parvati, tiger skin, yogi, wisdom, sadhu Copyright: xHimalayanxAcademy/DinodiaxPhotox

India, Tamil Nadu, Kumbakonam, murals in Ramaswamy temple, 16th century

The Safavid dynasty was one of the most significant ruling dynasties of Iran. They ruled one of the greatest Persian empires since the Muslim conquest of Persia and established the Twelver school of Shi'a Islam as the official religion of their empire, marking one of the most important turning points in Muslim history. The Safavids ruled from 1501 to 1722 (experiencing a brief restoration from 1729 to 1736) and at their height, they controlled all of modern Islamic Republic of Iran, Republic of Azerbaijan and Republic of Armenia, most of Iraq, Georgia, Afghanistan, and the Caucasus, as well as parts of Pakistan, Turkmenistan and Turkey. Safavid Iran was one of the Islamic 'gunpowder empires', along with its neighbours, the Ottoman and Mughal empires.

Kali Standing on Shiva (verso), c. 1890. Eastern India, Bengal, Kolkata, Kalighat. Watercolor, graphite, and ink on paper; secondary support: 49.7 x 29.3 cm (19 9/16 x 11 9/16 in.); painting only: 30 x 25.5 cm (11 13/16 x 10 1/16 in.). Black-skinned, four-armed, her tongue out, and blood dripping from her mouth, Kali has a third eyerepresentative of enlightened or divine knowledgeon her forehead. Simultaneously benevolent and dangerous, she holds a sword and a demon’s severed head in two hands while the other two hands are in gestures of protection and blessing. This image would have been sold as a pilgrim souvenir to both locals and the colonial British around the Kalighat temple and is a replica of the image worshipped inside the temple (see below). The frightening image of Kali especially fit into the colonial imagination and into Victorian popular culture and would have been an iconic souvenir/artifact to be shown to intrigued and horrified friends at home in England.

Lord Hanuman Miniature Painting on Paper with gold embroidery Copyright: xBhagwandasxRupani/DinodiaxPhotox

Thirumalai Vishnu marriage 18th century maratha paintings in Brahadeswara temple, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India Copyright: xMxAmirtham/DinodiaxPhotox

Marriage of Rama to Sita with Brahmins making fire sacrifice. Coloured transfer lithograph.

Heritage old picture postcard 1935 mythology Brahma Vishnu Laxmi on Sheshnag Bombay Mumbai Maharashtra India Copyright: xAnilxDave/DinodiaxPhotox

Kali is the Hindu goddess associated with eternal energy. 'She who destroys'. The name Kali comes from kala, which means black, time, death, lord of death, Shiva. Kali means 'the black one'. Since Shiva is called Kala - the eternal time, Kali, his consort, also means 'Time' or 'Death' (as in time has come). Hence, Kali is considered the goddess of time and change. Although sometimes presented as dark and violent, her earliest incarnation as a figure of annihilation still has some influence. Various Shakta Hindu cosmologies, as well as Shakta Tantric beliefs, worship her as the ultimate reality or Brahman. She is also revered as Bhavatarini (literally 'redeemer of the universe'). Kali is represented as the consort of Lord Shiva, on whose body she is often seen standing. She is associated with many other Hindu goddesses like Durga, Bhadrakali, Sati, Rudrani, Parvati and Chamunda. She is the foremost among the Dasa Mahavidyas, ten fierce Tantric goddesses.

Detail from a 19th century enamel and glazed picture depicting the Hindu legend of the Ramayana. The Ramayana is one of the two epic Hindu poems, the other being the Mahabharata. The Ramayana describes a love story between Rama, an ancient King, and Sita, who is captured by Ravan, the King of Ceylon. Rama lays siege to Ceylon and wins back Sita

A Jain accountant with his wife. Gouache drawing.

Surya the sun deity driving in his chariot. Gouache drawing.

King Siddharta Being Anointed: Folio from a Kalpasutra Manuscript India (Gujarat) 15th century The enthroned King Siddharta, having bathed and refreshed himself, is being anointed with a paste forehead mark (tilak) denoting nobility by a family member, possibly Queen Trisala herself. The paintings from this manuscript are uniformly conventional, with golden figures framed in red nimbuses against an ultramarine ground. Line is skillfully controlled, and great play is made of the designs on the clothing, which accord with surviving examples of fifteenth-century cloth and extend our knowledge of Gujarati textile design. View more. King Siddharta Being Anointed: Folio from a Kalpasutra Manuscript. India (Gujarat). 15th century. Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper. Paintings

Folio from a Manuscript of the Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita (Perfection of Wisdom) 12th century India (Bihar or West Bengal). Folio from a Manuscript of the Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita (Perfection of Wisdom). India (Bihar or West Bengal). 12th century. Ink and color on palm leaf. Pala period. Paintings

Shakra (Indra) Reveres the Embryo of Mahavira: Folio from a Kalpasutra Manuscript 15th century India (Gujarat) The all-knowing supreme god Shakra (Indra) knows of Mahaviras descent to earth from heaven as an embryo inserted into the Brahmani Devananda. He steps down from his bejeweled, triple-spired throne and, kneeling on a cushion, worships the jina. His honorific umbrella accompanies him. The flattened composition is set against a vibrant blue color field.. Shakra (Indra) Reveres the Embryo of Mahavira: Folio from a Kalpasutra Manuscript. India (Gujarat). 15th century. Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper. Paintings

Vishnu, one of the most important forms of the divine in Hinduism, and Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of happiness, love, fertility, prosperity, c. 1890, East India, Bengal, Kolkata, Temple Kalighat, Historic, digitally restored reproduction from a 19th century original

Vintage Hindu Art. Goddesses Lakshmi and Sarasvati (verso), from a Kalighat album, c. 1890. Eastern India, Bengal, Kolkata, Kalighat

Murals- Epic Ramayana-Wall Paintings in Ramasamy Temple at Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India- Vibhushana brother of Ravana Surrenders to Rama. Artist Unknown

Hanuman. Gouache drawing.

painting of god Krishna & her greatest devotee radha, india Copyright: xBhagwandasxRupani/DinodiaxPhotox

Lady enjoying Drink Miniature Painting on Paper Copyright: xBhagwandasxRupani/DinodiaxPhotox

The Emperors Akbar, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan with Their Ministers and Prince Dara Shikoh Chitaraman (Indian). The Emperors Akbar, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan with Their Ministers and Prince Dara Shikoh, ca. 1630-1640. Opaque watercolor and gold on paper, 22 x 32 in. (55.9 x 81.3 cm). This group portrait was made for the emperor Shah Jahan, who ruled from 1627 to 1658. It shows four generations of the Mughal dynasty in a gathering that never actually took place. Shah Jahan (at the right) receives a falconan emblem of imperial authorityfrom his grandfather, Akbar, who was considered the greatest of the Mughal emperors. Shah Jahan's father, Jahangir, against whom he had rebelled, sits to the side, holding a different falcon. Meanwhile, Shah Jahan's favorite son, Dara Shikoh, stands beside him as intended heir. The image illustrates the dynastic lineage, while revealing that Shah Jahan preferred to think of himself as his grandfather's heir. Asian Art ca. 1630-1640

Painting in exhibition, India Copyright: xRajendraxShukla/DinodiaxPhotox

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