Murthi

Murthi is a term from Sanskrit mūrti meaning form, embodiment, or image. In Hinduism and related Indian traditions, a murti refers to a statue, idol, or sacred image representing a deity or sacred being. A murti can denote both the divine form and the object used in worship, such as a stone lingam, metal icon, or clay effigy, which is installed in temples or home shrines through a consecration rite known as prana pratishta, inviting the deity to reside within the image.

Worship before a murti typically involves darshan (the viewing of the deity), offerings, and various rituals. The design, materials, and iconography of a murti follow regional stylistic schools and religious canons, including those described in the Agama scriptures. Murti worship embodies the belief that the divine can be accessed through a tangible form, aiding devotion and mediation for worshippers.

Beyond religious use, murti is also a general term for a deity’s form in literature, philosophy, and art, referring to the representation of the divine. The word has several transliterations, including murti, murthi, and murthy, reflecting linguistic and regional variation.

Murti is also a surname in parts of South Asia, particularly among Tamil and Telugu-speaking communities, with variants such as Murti, Murthy, or Murthi. As a family name, it typically signals regional or lineage associations rather than religious practice.