Avatars

• Avatars


  Different human or animal forms that the god Vishnu shows himself in at special times and for special reasons
• The ten avatars of Vishnu


  • The most important are: Rama (the seventh avatar) and Krishna (the eighth avatar)
• Hindus believe that the god Vishnu shows himself in many different human or animal forms (avatars) at special times and for special reasons
• Rama


  • The seventh avatar of Vishnu, the prince who rescued his wife Sita from the demon king Ravanna
• Krishna


  • The eighth avatar of Vishnu, the cowherd boy who provided an example of personal devotion and brought peace and righteousness
• The story of Rama


  Rama was banished to the forest, Sita was captured by Ravanna, Rama asked Hanuman to help find her, a causeway was built and a battle fought, Rama killed Ravanna, Rama and Sita returned home
• Hanuman


  • The monkey deity, messenger of Rama, able to leap colossal distances, patron of wrestlers, sportsmen and soldiers, remembered for his devotion to Rama and Sita
• Krishna


  • Thought to be very approachable, loving, mischievous and caring about others, his story is in the Puranas and his teachings are in the Bhagavad Gita, his skin is dark blue and he wears yellow robes, he was born in jail and taken to live in the forest of Vrindavan, often pictured playing the flute and entertaining the milkmaids, his favourite gopi was Radha
• Ganesha


  • The elephant-headed god, son of Shiva and Parvati, god of good luck and remover of obstacles, worshipped before big events or rituals, thought to guard gates and doorways
• Ganesha was born while his father Shiva was away, Parvati sent him to guard the door, Shiva cut off Ganesha's head, Parvati insisted Shiva bring him back to life so he sent messengers to bring back the first head they could find, which happened to be a baby elephant