Idolatry

===Provenance===
The first attested date in peer-reviewed academic literature for the worship of [[murti]] (Sanskrit) or [[vigraha]] (Sanskrit) in India is not clear, as different sources have different opinions and interpretations. However, the [[Indus Valley Civilization]] (circa 2500 - 1500 BCE) may have produced some of the earliest murtis or vigrahas in India, as evidenced by various terracotta and bronze figurines found in the archaeological sites. Some of these figurines have been interpreted as representations of deities, such as the so-called [[Pashupati seal]], which depicts a horned figure surrounded by animals and possibly identified with [[Shiva]]. Another example is the bronze statuette of a [[Dancing Girl (sculpture)|Dancing Girl]], which some scholars have associated with [[Parvati]] or [[Shakti]]. However, these interpretations are not universally accepted, and some scholars have argued that the Indus Valley Civilization did not practice murti or vigraha worship, but rather used symbols and signs to express their religious beliefs.<ref name="oneindia.com">Source: https://www.oneindia.com/india/why-india-is-a-land-of-murti-and-vigraha-and-not-idols-and-idolators-as-perceived-by-the-west-3455405.html (accessed: Wednesday September 27, 2023)</ref>

The [[Vedic period]] (circa 1500 - 500 BCE) is traditionally considered as the origin of Hinduism proper, but it also did not emphasize murti or vigraha worship, as the [[Historical Vedic religion|Vedic religion]] was mainly focused on fire sacrifices and hymns to various gods and goddesses. However, some [[Vedic texts]] do mention the use of clay or wooden images for ritual purposes, such as the [[Shatapatha Brahmana]] (circa 8th - 6th century BCE), which describes how a clay image of [[Prajapati]] (the creator god) was made and consecrated for the [[agnicayana ritual]]. Another example, is the [[Aitareya Brahmana]] (circa 8th - 6th century BCE), which mentions how a wooden image of [[Varuna]] (the god of water and law) was installed in a temple and worshipped by the king.  These examples suggest that murti or vigraha worship was not unknown in the Vedic period, but it was not widespread nor dominant.<ref name="oneindia.com"/>

The post-Vedic period (circa 500 BCE - 300 CE) witnessed the emergence and development of various religious movements and schools, such as [[Buddhism]], [[Jainism]], [[Shaivism]], [[Vaishnavism]], [[Shaktism]] and others. This period also saw the rise of murti or vigraha worship as a prominent feature of Hinduism, as evidenced by various literary and archaeological sources. For instance, the [[Ramayana]] (circa 5th - 4th century BCE) and the [[Mahabharata]] (circa 4th - 3rd century BCE) contain several references to murti or vigraha worship, such as [[Rama]] worshipping a [[Shiva linga]] at [[Rameshwaram]], or [[Krishna]] installing an image of [[Vishnu]] at [[Dwarka]]. Another example, is the Buddhist text [[Lalitavistara Sutra]] (circa 3rd century BCE - 3rd century CE), which mentions how Buddha's mother Maya dreamt of a white elephant entering her womb, and how [[King Suddhodana]] made an image of this elephant and worshipped it.  Moreover, many stone and metal sculptures of various deities and saints have been found from this period onwards, such as the famous [[Pancha Rathas]] at [[Mahabalipuram]] (circa 7th century CE), which depict five chariots dedicated to different gods and goddesses.<ref name="oneindia.com"/>
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