Other Deities
These images, colloquially known as "hero-stones," represent deified ancestors worshipped by descendants (especially women) for the guidance and benefit of the family (for more information about this, I recommend The Goddess's Henchmen by Lindsay Harlan). The larger image is a little more than a foot high, and they are clearly active objects of worship--note not only the orange smeared on the stones, but also the purple flower petals at the base. Figures such as these illustrate the permeable boundaries between human beings and divinity for Hindus. between humans and divine beings. Pushkar, January 2005
This picture taken 10 years later shows that the shrine has been renovated with a new marble facing, and the name of the deity, Shri Vir Taja ji Maharaj, lettered in at the top. When I first asked Professor Harlan, she told me that the only way to be really sure of the deity's identity would be to talk to the people making the offerings, but in this case the renovations provide this information..
Pushkar, January 2015
Here are a pair of door guardians (dvarapalas), minor deities set on each side of a temple doorway, in this case Baijnath in Kumaon. These deities are responsible for "keeping order" in the temple grounds, in much the same way as a sheriff or sergeant at arms keeps order in a town or meeting. Each as has been marked with a tilak, and a purple flower is visible on top of each--signs that despite their subsidiary status, they too are objects of worship.
Saturn (Shani), a dangerous and potentially malevolent planet whose malefic influence can bring 14 years of bad luck (the time it takes for Saturn to circle the sun) is also a minor deity. Offerings to Shani include black lentils, mustard oil, and any object made from iron (which would account for the mound of things at right). Because of the potential danger Shani historically had little worship--only enough to propitiate him. Yet since 2010 or so Shani temples and images have become more common. The reason for this is unclear, but must reflect powerful forces. Koteshvar 2014
Here's another image of Shani, this one from a temple at Pushkar that was renovated in 2015. Shani's primary temple, at Shingnapur in Maharashtra, also has an aniconic image of Shani as a pillar of black stone set in open courtyard. By Shani's divine decree, Shingnapur has no doors or locks, since any theif there will have to face Shani's wrath.
Here's another Shani image (the black one in the foreground) under a tree in Devaprayag. The little temple to the left (which held a lamp) is wrapped at the top with an oil-soaked black cloth--both of which are seen as pleasing offerings. This tree shrine has a host of other deities--among them pictures of Ganesh, Durga, and Hanuman), as well as several statues (at center and left) cleverly attached onto the protruding tree roots.
This image from Shrinagar's Kamleshvar Temple further indicates the permeable boundaries between humans and divinities. Each image is a shrine for a teacher erected by his disciple/successor; the cracked white stone in the center was established by the present temple head. These stones are not only about memory, but also function as objects of worship--some of them have been decorated with flowers as an expression of this. Shrinagar 2014
This shows the sacred cow, as the abode and embodiment of all the Hindu gods. It is another example of modern Hindu poster art.
This is Sai Baba, who lived most of his life in the small Maharashtrian town of Shirdi. Sai Baba was famous for working miracles and wonders (healing, appearing in multiple places at the same time, reading minds, and the ability to respond to his disciples' needs, however distance). His personal history and parentage are unknown but Sai Baba's teachings, practices, and even his appearance cut across the divisions between Hindus and Muslims--the region's primary religious divide at that time--and and his disciples came from both of these communities. Despite that history, this poster firmly identifies him as Hindu--from the tray of offerings at his feet, to the Om symbol on the palm of his upraised hand.