Blacksmiths
Blacksmiths The blacksmiths, with the exception of those who use the sledge-hammer, sit as do the carpenters while they hammer the iron. I wish you could see them at work with their simple apparatus. They have small anvils, which they place in a hole made in a log of wood which is buried in the ground. They do not use such bellows as you see in America.
The Hindoo Trimurti
The Trimurti or three-headed deity in the caves of Elephanta. This is a sculpture of the most remote antiquity, but the dress, the beads, the sacred cord and other religious symbols declare it to be the work of Hindoos. In anthropomorphising the Deity, men always adopt their own typical countenance for that of their God. Hence their idols betray the national features. Now, observe the profiles of Vishnu and Siva in this Trimurti.
Monkeys constructing the bridge at Lanka
Monkeys constructing the bridge at Lanka
Brahma
Brahma
Worhipping the Cobra
Worshipping the Cobra In order to induce the people to worship this dangerous enemy, the Hindoos have filled their books with tales concerning it. Figures of it are often to be seen in the temples, and on other buildings. They seek out their holes, which are generally to be found in the hillocks of earth which are thrown up by the white ants; and when they find one, they go from time to time and offer milk, plantains, and other good things to it. Many of the natives call the Cobra Capella nulla paampu, that is, good snake. They are afraid to call it a bad snake, lest it should injure them. The following is the prayer which is offered before the image of this snake. O, divine Cobra, preserve and sustain us. O, Sheoh, partake of these offerings, and be gracious unto us.
Vishnu
Seva
Seva
Juggernaut's Chariot
Juggernaut's Chariot At every large temple, there is at least yearly one grand procession. The idol is brought out from its inclosure, and placed in a great car or chariot, prepared for this express purpose. This stands upon four wheels of great strength, not made like ours, of spokes with a rim, but of three or four pieces of thick, solid timber, rounded and fitted to each other. The car is sometimes forty or fifty feet high, having upon it carved images of a most abominable nature. I must not tell you any thing about them. The car, when finished, presents somewhat the shape of a pyramid
Pulliar
Siva
Siva
Kali dancing on Siva
Kali dancing on Siva
Parvati worhipping the Linga
Parvati worhipping the Linga
Ganga
Ganga
Sasti
Sasti
Hanuman
Hanuman
Krishna holding up Mount Govardhana
Krishna holding up Mount Govardhana
Juggernaut
Juggernaut
The Nrisingha Avatara
The Nrisingha Avatara
Sarasvati
Sarasvati
Buddhist Temple and Dagosa at Kelaniva, Ceylon
Buddhist Temple and Dagosa at Kelaniva, Ceylon
Jagaddhatri
Jagaddhatri
Garuda
Garuda
The Matsva Avatara
The Matsva Avatara
Jagannath
Jagannath
Indra
Indra
Lakhsmi
Lakhsmi
Battle of the Kurus and Pandavas
Battle of the Kurus and Pandavas
Annapurna
Annapurna
Vishnu
Vishnu
Buddha
Buddha
Radha worshipping Krishna as Kali
Radha worshipping Krishna as Kali
Har-Hari
Har-Hari
Arjuna shooting at the fish
Arjuna shooting at the fish
Shitala
Shitala
Kali
Kali
Buddha
Buddha
Panchanana
Panchanana
Krishna slaying Bakasura
Krishna slaying Bakasura
The Lotus
The Lotus
Sugriva
Sugriva
Kalki
Kalki
The Bel
The Bel
Siva temple at Benares
Siva temple at Benares
Manasa
Manasa
Kamadeva
Kamadeva
Siva and Parvati
Siva and Parvati
Daksha
Daksha
Siva slaying an Asura
Siva slaying an Asura
Balarama
Balarama
Dasabhuja
Dasabhuja
The Fig Tree
The Fig Tree
The Banyan Tree
The Banyan Tree
Kartikeya
Kartikeya
The Krishna Avatara
The Krishna Avatara
The Kurma Avatara
The Kurma Avatara
Yama
Yama
Ravana
Ravana
Brahma
Brahma
Ganesa
Ganesa
The Universe
The universe, as it came from the mundane egg, is generally divided into fourteen worlds: seven inferior or lower worlds, and seven superior or upper worlds. The seven lower worlds are filled with all kinds of wicked and loathsome creatures. Our earth, which is the first of the upper worlds, it is said, is flat. The figure will give you some idea of it.