Statues Trivia Quiz

Answer: Ganesha

Ganesha is the Hindu god of wisdom and good fortune. He is credited with being the remover of obstacles, which is why he is also known as Vignaharta (translated as "he who removes all obstacles"). As a result, he is also the god of beginnings as all new ventures are begun with prayers to Ganesha. According to Hindu mythology, the goddess Parvati, wife of god Shiva, created Ganesha from clay. Shiva, without knowing who he was, lopped his head off. To make amends, he then brought the head of the first animal he found as a replacement.

Answer: Krishna

Krishna is one of the major gods in the Hindu pantheon. He is also considered to be the eighth avatar taken by the god Vishnu. His name Krishna means dark-skinned, and he is commonly depicted as being blue-skinned in religious art. With a peacock feather in the crown on his head and a flute in his hands, he is often shown to be in a light-hearted mood.

The playing of the flute has led to him also being known as 'bansuriwale' or the 'one who plays the flute'.

Answer: Saraswati

Saraswati is the Hindu goddess of music, art, and learning. Students pray to goddess Saraswati for help with studies. Along with Lakshmi and Parvati, she forms the Trimurti (trinity) of goddesses. All three are consorts of the three gods forming the Trimurti (Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma).

In some parts of India, the fifth day of Spring is set aside for venerating Saraswati, and young children are taught letters for the first time on this auspicious occasion.

Answer: Surya

Surya is the sun god, with the name Surya itself meaning sun in Sanskrit. Surya is therefore shown in art to have a face that reflects the brightness of the sun. He is typically shown riding a chariot which is pulled by seven horses. The Konark Sun Temple in Odisha, India is dedicated to Surya, and is in the form of a chariot carved out of stone.

Answer: Durga

Durga is the warrior form of the mother goddess, and is shown in battle securing victory over evil forces. During the Hindu festival of Navratri (nine nights), she is worshipped in all of her nine forms, which are called Navdurga. The tenth day is celebrated as Durga Puja when Durga is venerated. Durga Puja is an especially major festival in the eastern parts of India. Given her status as a warrior goddess and avenger of evil, Durga is shown riding a tiger and holding various weapons in her hands.

Answer: Lakshmi

Lakshmi is the Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity. She is the consort of the Hindu god, Vishnu. Venerated during Lakshmi Puja, when people pray for good fortune and prosperity during the coming year, Lakshmi is typically depicted standing on a lotus. Sometimes, she carries a jar full of coins or gold.

At others, she is shown with coins falling out of her hands. She is often depicted wearing a red saree, as red is the colour of prosperity.

Answer: Ganga

The goddess Ganga is the personification of the river Ganga (Ganges), which is regarded as the holiest river by the Hindus. Various places along the banks of the Ganga are designated as sacred sites in Hinduism. This includes its source, the Gangotri. Ganga is considered to be the epitome of purity, and therefore the goddess is depicted as fair-skinned.

She is sometimes shown holding a lily and a lute in her hands, and is either sitting on a crocodile or surrounded by a few of them.

Answer: Yama

Yama is the Hindu god of death. He is often depicted as coming to take away the souls of those who have passed away. Usually wearing bright red (or sometimes black) garments, he is shown leading a buffalo. In his hands, he may hold a mace decorated with skulls or a noose.

Answer: Indra

Indra is the chief god in the Hindu pantheon and can be likened to Zeus in Greek myth. The Vedas record him as being the ruler of the heavens, thunder, lightning and rains. As a consequence, he is often depicted holding a thunderbolt in his hand. His mount is a white elephant called Airavat, symbolizing his regal position.

Answer: Natraj

Natraj means the "lord of dance", and is a form of the Hindu god, Shiva. Within the Trimurti, Shiva is the destroyer. In his avatar as Natraj, he is sometimes shown to be dancing the tandav - a violent dance of destruction. Shiva, as Natraj, is also found in the sculptures carved in the caves of Ellora and Ajanta which date back to 6th century.