From the Land of the Rajas:

Creativity in Rajasthan

Gods

Hindus, both individually and collectively, worship untold thousands of gods.  A person usually offers prayers to three kinds of gods:  a personal deity, family or clan deity, and village deity.  A personal deity is the one chosen by an individual in matters bearing on his or her individual desires and ultimate salvation.  Family deities, mostly female but many male, are worshipped especially at life cycle rites by members of male lineages within a caste.  Village deities, mostly female and associated with fertility, are worshipped at village centers and boundaries.

Shrines

Shrines are places where Hindus meet gods, spirits, and ancestors.  They come daily and on regular holidays, to request help in illness and other life crises, and to mark rites of passage (birth, marriage, death).  Found everywhere in India, they may be considered according to a triple hierarchy of space:  in the home, outside on the village street or in a particularly significant natural feature, and in larger temple structures.

Shrine, Rani Bhatiyani temple
Photo by Shalini Ayyagari, Jaisalmer, 2005–06

Shrine, Pabuji temple
Photo by Shalini Ayyagari, Kolu, 2005–06

Shiva shrine
Photo by Renaldo Maduro, 1969–70