Hinduism is a very complex belief system and has a lot of symbolism in it as well as multiple versions of it. The Indian people are as old as can be and were considered to be autochtones to the area per Greek scholars (I will post some excerpts in later blog articles). The Aryans were a different people who came in and invaded the lands of India (as it is called today) and with their invasions came the creation of a caste system. The caste system was based on color and the top caste were called the Brahmins. The Brahmins were the ones allowed to perform the rituals necessary for the Hindu gods/goddesses. The next caste was the warrior caste called the Kshatriyas. Then came the farmer and trade caste called the Vaishyas and then finally the lowest caste used for menial work called the Shudras. The history of the Indian people is complex and has been addressed in The Library Kids series.
The gods/goddesses of the Hindus are many, but the main systems of worship include Shaivism and Vaishnavism. The worship of goddesses is included as well with Kali having her own priests.
The gods had enemies as well just as the Cronides had the Titans as enemies. What is most interesting is the mention of nectar of the gods/goddesses which is similar to the Greek concept of Ambrosia of the Gods. In my opinion, this drink is alcohol of which they invented and perfected.
The stories of these ancient Hindu gods/goddesses are included in the Puranas, Vedas, and epic poems including the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
Vishnu is considered the preserver whereas Shiva is considered the destroyer. Brahma is the father god. In my opinion all three represent Zeus as does Indra. The sons of Shiva include Ganesh and Kartikeya. Ganesh was the God of Writing just as was Hermes (a son of Zeus) and Kartikeya is the god of war as Ares was the god of war (son of Zeus).
The symbolism of Shiva includes many things including a third eye (similar to the eye of Odin used to gain knowledge), the bull (as Zeus), the lingam and yoni (Zeus had many lovers), and the serpent (Zeus was also associated with a serpent).
Links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahabharata
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramayana
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puranas
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vedas
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiva
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kartikeya
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganesha
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vishnu
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krishna
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kali
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agni
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_deities
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surya
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durga
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaktism
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lalita_Sahasranama
