Evolving from the Vedic religion of ancient India, Hinduism is the oldest of the world's major religions. The sacred texts of Hinduism are the Vedas, a collection of sacred hymns and verses. Central to Hindu belief are the principles of brahman, "the eternal, infinite, and omnipresent spiritual source of the finite and changing universe," and samsara, a cycle of reincarnation, that is broken by spiritual self-realization (Britannica Digital Learning, 2017a; Britannica Digital Learning, 2017b). Vishnu and Shiva are the two Hindu deities with the widest following.
Browse the Hindu artifacts box on this page to learn more about the items in the display that represent Hindu religious tradition.
References
Britannica Digital Learning. (2017a). Brahman. In Britannica Concise Encyclopedia.
Britannica Digital Learning. (2017b). Hinduism. In Britannica Concise Encyclopedia.
Ganesh (also called Ganesa or Ganesha) is a popular and well-loved deity in Hinduism, which is also called Sanatana Dharma by its adherents. Ganesh, the child of gods Siva (also called Shiva) and Pavarti, is associated with beginnings, intelligence, and the removal of obstacles.
In this small statue, Ganesh’s lower right hand is held in an abhaya mudra, a gesture which means “without fear,” and conveys protection and reassurance. The casing on either sides of the enclosure of the statue features script for the mantra “om,” a profoundly important and simple chant that signifies the entirety of existence itself. 
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