“Is worshiping multiple gods and goddesses in Hinduism contradictory to true monotheism?”
This question raises an important topic in the study of theology and religious belief. “True monotheism” refers to the belief in a single, indivisible, and supreme Creator—a God who is formless, without partners, and all-powerful. Religions such as Islam, Christianity, and Judaism uphold this concept strongly. On the other hand, Hinduism follows a more diverse and multi-layered religious structure. While many gods and goddesses are worshiped in Hinduism, many Hindus believe that all these deities are manifestations or aspects of one Supreme Reality (Brahman). Some Hindus are monotheistic in their practice, worshiping only Vishnu, Shiva, or another deity as the Supreme God. Certain Hindu philosophies (like Advaita Vedanta) teach that all existence is an expression of one divine reality. In this context, the question explores whether polytheistic worship in Hinduism is a denial of monotheism, or whether it is simply a different way of approaching the Divine through various forms and attributes.
I believe that the underpinning of Hinduism is that there is a single power who is merely referred to by different names, and therefore it’s not contradictory to principles of monotheism. Different localities have local deities who are incarnations of the same unified spirit, this is a system which propped up in ancient India to ensure relatability and to provide credence to rich folklore surrounding said deities.