In the Hindu tradition, a murti (Sanskrit: मूर्ति, mūrti, meaning 'form, embodiment, or solid object') is a devotional image, such as a statue or icon, of a deity or saint, used during puja and other customary forms of expressing devotion or reverence at temples and home shrines. The term Dev Murti refers specifically to such a sacred image of a deity (deva), regarded as an embodiment through which worship is offered.
Not all depictions of gods and saints are considered murti. Decorative carvings on temple doorframes, painted walls, and sculpted domes, while depicting divine figures, are distinguished from murti meant for ritual worship. Different Hindu traditions understand the nature of the murti in varying ways. Some traditions regard it as a symbolic representation or embodiment of the divine, while others hold that, following the consecration ritual known as prāṇa pratiṣṭhā, the deity is truly present in the murti and receives worship directly through it.
A murti is typically crafted by carving stone, wood working, metal casting, or pottery. Ancient texts that describe their proper proportions, postures, and gestures include the Puranas, Agamas, and Samhitas. The expressions found in murti vary widely across Hindu traditions. Ugra (fierce) forms, such as those of Durga and Kali, express themes of destruction and protection, while saumya (calm) forms, such as those of Saraswati, Lakshmi, and Ganesha, express joy, knowledge, and harmony. Saumya images are the most common in Hindu temples. Other forms associated with murti worship in Hinduism include the lingam.
For many Hindus, a murti is an embodiment of the divine, the ultimate reality or Brahman. In a religious setting, it is housed in temples or domestic shrines, where it may be treated as a beloved guest and serves as a participant in puja, often forming the focal point of devotional attention. The use of murti is also found in some Jain traditions, where consecrated images serve as symbols of revered te