In almost all the Siva Temples the idol of the deity will invariably a linga. But in other temples there will be idols representing the deity of the temple. Same deity will have different kinds of idols which may different from one another in some respects but still will point out to the category of deity to which the idol belongs to. We can see Mahalakshmi, Durga, Vishnu etc with some differences in different temples. All the gods have more than 1000 names each. But the aspects of the concerned god/goddess will be few and according to which the idols are made. Let us take the case of Lord Vishnu r Mahavishnu.
Every Hindu knows the idols of Mahavishnu/Lord Vishnu with 4 hands - each carrying a object, a garland of Thulsi (Holy Basil). Mahavishnu had several incarnations though we consider the incarnations as 10 and is popularly named as 'Dasavathara'. But in Bhagavatham and Geetha the Lord himself say that he comes to earth again and again to protect the 'Dharma'; from the evils doers when it crosses limit. (Dharma Samsthaapanarthaaya Sambhavaami Yuge, Yuge). Hayagreeva (god with human body and horse head) is one example. However idols Mahavishnu or Lord Vishnu himself is installed in different temples with some differences. So how we i8dentify the idols as to which aspect of Vishnu they represent? lord Vishnu have mainly 24 aspects each with a distinct name. I am giving below the names of the Lord for different aspects along with the way of identification. The identification is done by the order in which the devices are held in the 4 hands. No 2 aspect of the Lord holds the devices in the same sequence in his hands. The order of hands and devices held are considered from backside right hand, backside left hand, front side left hand and the front side right hand. Let us have a look at them:
1. Atchuthan - Padmam (Lotus), Chakra (Sudarsan Discus), Shankhu (Conch) and Gada (Mace).
2. Adhokshajan - Gada (Mace), Shankhu (Conch), Chakra (Sudarsan Discus) and Padmam (Lotus).
3. Aniruddhan - Gada (Mace), Shankhu (Conch), Padmam (Lotus) and Chakra (Sudarsan Discus.
4. Damodaran - Shankhu, Gada, Chakra and Padmam.
5. Govindan - Gada, Padmam, Shankhu and Chakra.
6. Hari - Chakra, Padmam, Gada and Shankhu.
7. Janardhanan - Chakra, Shankhu, Gada and Padmam.
8. Kesavan - Shankhu, Chakra, Gada and Padmam.
9. Madhavan - Chakra, Shankhu, Padmam and Gada.
10. Madhusoodanan - Shankhu, Padmam, Gada and Chakra.
11. Narasimham - Padmam, Gada, Shankhu and Chakra.
12. Narayanaan - Padmam, Gada, Chakra and Shankhu.
13. Padmanabhan - Padmam, Chakra, Gada and Shankhu.
14. Pradhyumnan - Shankhu, Gada, Padmam and Chakra.
15. Purushothaman - Padmam, Shankhu, Gada and Chakra
16. Hrishikesan - Chakra, Padmam, Shankhu and Gada.
17. Samgharshanan - Shankhu, Padmam, Chakra and Gada.
18. Sreedharan - Chakra, Gada, Shankhu and Padmam.
19. Sreekrishnan - Gada, Padmam, Chakra and Shankhu.
20. Thrivikraman - Gada, Chakra, Shankhu and Padmam.
21. Upendran - Gada, Chakra, Padmam and Shankhu.
22. Vamanan - Chakra, Gada, Padmam and Shankhu.
23. Vasudevan - Shankhu, Chakra, Padmam and Gada.
24. Vishnu - Padmam, Shankhu,Chakra and Gada.
The Shankhu (Conch) of Lord Vishnu is named as Panjajanya, Chakra (Serrated edged Discus) is named as Sudarsana Chakra and the Gada (Mace) of the Lord i named Kaumodaki.
Thanks for reading. Have a nice day.
