Students from Ilmenau discover Indian gods at creative project

Students from Ilmenau discover Indian gods at creative project

Ilmenau, Deutschland - On May 26, 2025, the Technical University of Ilmenau will honor the creative achievements of pupils who will be 800 BC as part of a unique project led by Professor Hotz. u. Z., have traveled. The pupil's task was to construct altars for the numerous worshiped Indian gods. Here they used simple materials such as cords and sticks and applied geometric principles, in particular circles and squares. The supervisor Hanni Hille, teacher of the Ziolkowski primary school in Ilmenau, praised the endurance of the students, who worked eagerly on experiments and mathematical pencils during the project time and at home. This innovative project is seen as a significant event in the talented promotion of the Technical University of Ilmenau and illustrates the connection between mathematics and cultural practices.

In India, an estimated 330 million gods live, which are worshiped primarily in small temples and shrines. Some of them can be found in many large temples due to their popularity and are also worshiped in households. The most important Indian gods include Brahma, the creator god, which is often portrayed with four arms and four heads. Although he is part of the trimurti, he is rarely worshiped compared to other gods. The goddess Kali, a dark appearance of Parvati, also has a central role in Indian mythology because she is seen as a liberator from Samsara. Your devoted Kalighat Temple in Kalkutta is an important place of pilgrimage.

The meaning of mythology

Indian mythology, which is mainly shaped by Hinduism, also includes elements from Jainism and various folk religions. Their roots go back to the hymns of the Rigveda and contain epen such as the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. Mythology describes a cosmic cycle and pass that is characterized by reincarnation, while the main gods in the Trimurti - Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva - represent various aspects of creation, maintenance and destruction.

Each of these gods has associated wives such as Sarasvati, Lakshmi and Parvati, who also play a significant role in cultural practice. For example, Sarasvati is the goddess of knowledge and is particularly worshiped by students, while Lakshmi is considered a protective goddess for dealers. In addition, important figures such as Ganesha, the elephant god, and Hanuman, the Affengot, also essential components of Indian religiosity and cult practice.

• brahma: creator god, little worship, most famous temple in Pushkar.
• Kali: goddess of death, known for her ability to free Samsara, Kalighhat Temple in Kalkutta.
• Sarasvati: goddess of knowledge, holiday vasant Panchami.
• lakshmi: goddess of happiness and prosperity, often bears a lotus flower.
• parvati: goddess of maternity, symbols are mirrors and lotus flower.
• durga: goddess of strength and power.
• Hanuman: symbol for devotion and courage.
• Ganesha: known for his elephant head, helps to eliminate obstacles.
• Shiva: god of destruction, known for his third eye.
• Vishnu: god of conservation, appearing in different avatars.

The iconographic representations of the gods are deeply anchored in Indian art and culture. The various attributes and hand positions have symbolic meanings that promise believers protection and grace. While the stories about these gods have been handed down orally through centuries, they are also present in modern media today, which leads the cultural relevance of Indian mythology in contemporary society.

Professor Hotz and his team understood to make the complex world of Indian gods and mythologies tangible through innovative approaches. In this exciting combination of culture and science it becomes clear how mathematics and geometry manifest themselves in the old traditions of India.