The Gods

The 3 important Gods or the holy trinity in Hinduism - The Trimurti - are 

Brahma, Vishnu & Shiva.

Brahma is the creator. He is associated with creation, wisdom, and knowledge and is often depicted with four heads, symbolising his knowledge of the four directions. While he is a central figure in the Hindu creation myth, he is less frequently worshipped today compared to Vishnu and Shiva. 

The creator of the universe and all living beings. He emerged from a cosmic golden egg (Hiranyagarbha) or from the navel of Vishnu to begin creation. 

Vishnu is a principal deity in Hinduism. known as the preserver and protector of the universe. He is considered the supreme being by his followers and a member of the Trimurti. Vishnu restores balance by incarnating as an avatar in times of need to fight evil and protect righteousness, with incarnations including Rama and Krishna. 

Shiva is a major deity in Hinduism, known as the god of destruction and transformation and is associated with opposites like asceticism and sensuality, creation and destruction. Shiva is worshipped in various forms, including as a meditating ascetic, the cosmic dancer Nataraja, and in the form of a Lingam, a votary object. 

Shiva's role is to destroy the universe to allow for its re-creation, representing destruction and regeneration. 

He is often depicted with a third eye on his forehead, a crescent moon on his head, a snake around his neck, and a trident in his hand.

Shiva embodies contradictory qualities, such as being both a fearsome destroyer and a benevolent yogi.