Hinduism is a religion, which enables us to lead a original human life in spite of so many beliefs. This is possible because Hinduism associates each of the basic forces with a god.
The Basic gods:
The basic forces and the associated Hindu gods are,
1. Dreaming force - Indra
2. Illusory force - Shakti
3. Voluntary force - Brahma
4. Semi voluntary force - Vishnu
5. Involuntary force - Shiva
6. Status altering force - Shani
7. Compulsive force - Yama
Brahman - The supreme god
Above these seven forces is the basic force selector called Brahman, whom we call the supreme god. Thus, use of Brahman gives us a feeling that there is just one god.
The principle of Hindu gods:
The basic forces are associated with the opposite element in nature. Thus, Compulsive or Yama force is associated with death. Brahma, the transient for is associated with creation of eternal universe.
The Incarnations of Vishnu:
Vishnu force is our default force and thus our first choice force. This force generates a sinusoidal or wave like graph. Each part of the wave generated by this force is associated with an Incarnation of Vishnu. Thus, Vishnu has ten popular Incarnations and many other not so famous incarnations. In each incarnation Parvati too incarnates thus increasing the number of gods. In Ramavatara, there is the popular god Hanuman who is a Shakti god.
The central three basic forces viz. Voluntary, Semi voluntary and Involuntary forces are very difficult to use in pure form. Therefore, we have an intermediate stage called consort. Saraswati, Lakshmi and Parvati are consorts of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva respectively.
Using the Involuntary Shiva force is difficult in spite of having an intermediary state or consort, Parvati. Thus, we have two two children Ganesha and Subramani.
The Illusory or Shakti force gives an illusion of strength. Thus, gods based on this force are common in villages all over India. This greatly adds to the number of Hindu gods.
Thus, Hinduism needs many gods to enable a Hindu to lead a original human life in spite of so many beliefs.
Another View:
Actually many people in ignorance of Vedas say that Hinduism has many gods while Hinduism is a monotheist religion.
Vedas says:
Na dvitityo Na triyaschthurtho naapyuchyate|
N a panchamo Na shshtah sapthmo naapyuchyate|
Nashtamo Na navamo dashamo naapyuchyate|
Yagna yetham devamekavritham veda
Sa sarvassai vi pashyathi yachha praanathi yachhana|
Tamidam nigatam sah sa yesha yeka yekavrideka yeva|
Ya yetham devamekavritham veda
Atharva 13.4[2]19-20
There is no second God, nor a third, nor is even a fourth spoken of
There is no fifth God or a sixth nor is even a seventh mentioned.
There is no eighth God, nor a ninth. Nothing is spoken about a tenth even.
This unique power is in itself. That Lord is only one, the only omnipresent. It is one and the only one.
Original Hinduism is known as Sanatana Dharma. In that, there is only one power and for the sake of giving it a name, it is call Brahman. The power is formless, it is nameless. Original Hinduism does not advocate many Gods. Over the years, over the centuries, came about the trinity - Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh and then came about the several incarnations of God, Rama, Krishna. Therefore, Hindus believe that the more Gods you pray to, the more you will be blessed. Unfortunately, Hindus do not concentrate on the original scriptures call Upanishads. The Upanishads have the four Mahavakyas, which are in essence, the entire Truth of Hinduism. Those who follow the Vedas in terms of the Upanishads, they do not worship many Gods. They believe God lives within, that they are the Atman, they are Divine manifestations.
Hindus speak many languages in India, so they can worship in their own language. However, Sanskrit is the language of most scriptures. And as you would agree, no language is necessary for communication with Gods, they understand our wishes (at least that is what the believers would say).
AnswerHindus believe three major gods and worship so many different idols, Muslims only one God Allah and worship one and only God Allah, and Christians believe Trinity and worships so many idols.
The worship of many gods and goddesses is polytheism.
those gods alone know that!!!!!......... Why should one worship only one God. Does anybody knows for sure? What if Gods and Goddesses do not exist at all? Some hindus are atheists. The Hindu Gods and Goddesses respect each other and so do their worshipers. Hindus do not cut each other's throat for this reason. Hindu Gods and Goddesses derive from three religious streams. The aboriginals, they had village Gods and Goddesses. Then the dravidians, who were worshiping Shiva, Durga the Mother Goddess, Rama, Krishna, etc. These Gods and Goddesses do not find any mention in the Vedas. From the Aryan Gods and Goddesses, Vishnu, Indra, Rudra, Vayu, Varuna, Prajapati, Brahaspati, Ashwins, Saraswati, etc. survived the times. Hindus worship all these Gods. They did not break the idols of Gods and Goddesses of others.
because they believe that each deity should be worshipped as it has a specific task.
Why not? So do we, even though most of us have just one god to worship.
The Hindu's worship so many Gods because they believe that for every main element in life, there is a God for it. Hence, there is a God for maintenance, creation, destruction, wisdom, wealth, ect. this beleif is called polytheism
Even after the public worship of pagan gods was banned in 391 CE, many people of the Roman Empire continued to worship them in private. In fact, the worship of pagan gods continued for at least another 200 years. People were willing to risk persecution and death to worship the gods they believed in, so they had more than just superficial appeal. To those who rejected Christianity and continued to worship the ancient gods, they offered the only genuine chance for a life after death. The gods could assist in time of trouble and provide comfort in time of need.
A lot. The Greeks worship many gods and goddesses so you can't find the exact number. There are many major and minor Greek gods and goddesses. You have to be more specific, how many Greek major gods or how many minor gods.
Why there is so much mania among the Hindus to worship the sun.
From the ancient time to modern time, there are many tribe who worshiped many gods. That's maybe why they think that gods would help' em if they worship them. As a example, there are such a god who would like to eat meat, maybe it is or maybe it isn't, so humans who worship' em try to please' em. They kill animals such as goat, cows, sometime humans themselves. They are such a kind of evils and all they knew is to please the gods they worship. And there are such a kind of gods who have good nature and they'd like to help humans and humans gotta give a lot of paddles or any other kind of foods and they got help from gods they worship. So what I knew about it that not all the gods worships ain't bad at all.
Hindus practice their religion in a mandir. It like a church for Hindus. Aupmanyav adds: Temples are where hindus worship the idols of their Gods and Goddesses. Such worship can be done at home also. Moreover, a religion is practiced by our acts in the family and in the society. Going to temple is just a small part of being hindu. The real part is fulfilling our duties and engaging in righteous action. That is 'dharma'.