A murti is an image or form of a Hindu deity used as a focus of worship; darshan means seeing and being seen by the deity. In puja, devotional worship, they make the relationship between worshipper and deity tangible through offerings, attention and an encounter understood by devotees as sacred.
A murti may represent Vishnu, Shiva, a goddess or another deity. Many Hindu devotees understand a consecrated murti as a form through which the deity becomes present and accessible. Consecration establishes its sacred status for worship, although understandings and practices vary between traditions.
The misconception that Hindus simply worship a statue overlooks this religious meaning. For devotees, the material form enables a relationship with the deity it embodies or represents.
| Concept | Meaning and significance in puja |
|---|---|
| Murti | Provides a visible focus for addressing the deity, presenting offerings and expressing devotion. |
| Darshan | Describes the encounter of seeing and being seen by the deity, which devotees may experience as receiving blessing. |
During puja, worshippers may offer flowers, water, incense or food before the murti. In arti, a lamp is waved before the deity; its light can illuminate the murti and support darshan. These actions express bhakti, devotion, through bodily participation rather than words alone.
For example, in many Vaishnava temples in India, devotees approach a murti of Vishnu or Krishna for darshan. Home puja may involve smaller murtis or pictures. Traditions emphasizing nirguna Brahman, ultimate reality without form or qualities, may place less emphasis on deity images; Hindu worship therefore cannot be reduced to one uniform practice.
For IB World Religions SL, this connects Hinduism’s rituals with doctrines and religious experience. In an Explain response, develop the link between belief and behaviour: the murti makes divine presence accessible to devotees, while offerings and darshan express and deepen their relationship with the deity. Identify the tradition and context of your example.