Harihara - The Dual God
Explore the captivating iconography of the Hindu deity Harihara, a synthesis of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva, through a 19th century Sikh school painting.
Who is Harihara?
Harihara is a composite deity in Hinduism that represents the fusion of two important gods, Vishnu (Hari) and Shiva (Hara), embodying the combined aspects of both these divine beings.
Iconography of Vishnu
Harihara is typically depicted as having two halves- The Vishnu side often carries attributes such as the conch, discus, and mace. Vishnu (Hari) - The preserver and protector of the universe, Vishnu's role is to sustain and restore order.
Iconography of Shiva
The Shiva side may hold items like the trident or trishula, drum or damaru, sometimes with a serpent and kamandala, a holy water pot. Shiva (Hara) - The destroyer and transformer, Shiva's role is to annihilate and cleanse the universe for the regeneration of life and cosmic balance.
Harihara (1875/1899)Salar Jung Museum
Harihara - the dual God
Harihara merges Vishnu and Shiva, symbolizing the balance of creation and destruction within the cosmic cycle. This fusion represents the interconnectedness of seemingly opposing forces within the Supreme Reality, Brahman.
Hari - Lord Vishnu in Harihara
This image shows Lord Vishnu (Hari) with his characteristic symbols – the lotus, mace, the gada and conch, the shankha. He is wearing yellow garments and a crown, surrounded by worshippers, his role as preserver is clearly evident.
Hara - Lord Shiva in Harihara
Lord Shiva, as Hara, is shown with his signature skull garland, 'trishul' or trident with ochre banner, and 'damaru' the drum. His open third eye symbolizes his immense power.
Garuda, the mighty man-eagle, serves as Lord Vishnu's vehicle. Here, he stands respectfully with folded hands.
Nandi, Lord Shiva's sacred bull, is depicted adorned and standing beside Tumburu, a celestial musician. This image showcases their divine connection.
Celestial beings watch the scene as....
.......devotees worship the dual God, Harihara.
Harihara's unifying power
In South India, Harihara, the fusion of Vishnu and Shiva, is worshipped as a symbol of unity between different religious and philosophical traditions. His combined nature bridges the gap between Vaishnavism and Shaivism.
A divine synthesis
Temples dedicated to Harihara exist, where followers of both Vishnu and Shiva come together to worship this combined form. Harihara is thus a representation of divine synthesis and interdependence, underlining all aspects of life - creation, preservation, and destruction.
Text and Curation: Soma Ghosh
Photography: M. Krishnamurthy and Bahadur Ali
Research Assistance: Dinesh Singh and E. Rajesh
Special thanks to : Shri Ashish Goyal, IIS, Director, Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad, India.
Dr. G. Kusum, Curator, Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad, India.
References –
1. T A Gopinatha Rao (1993), Elements of Hindu iconography, 2 Vol., New Delhi: Motilal
Banarsidass
2. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Harihara-Hindu-deity (accessed ON 22/01/2025)
3. www.wisdomlib.org/concept/harihara(accessed ON 22/01/2025)
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