Good afternoon. I am presently researching (as a Pagan and polytheist) the subject of idol-worship around the world, so...I was wondering if anyone might be aware of any primary source material (perhaps from Hindu scripture), or even from ethnographic studies that speak about the Hindu belief and practices associated with idols--anything at all! However, many fascets I have found associated with idol-worship/installation that are common are (particularly in the first two!): the inhabitation of the deity into the statue for his or her worshippers; some sort oif "activation" rites, such as the "mouth opening" ceremony from Mesopotamia and Egypt (withouyt these the deity cannot hear the prayers, or smell the incense and other offerings, etc.); but I have also found the belief in Mesopoitamia where sculpture's that carve the idols usually disassociate themselves from the creation of the image, preferring to view it instead, rather, as the creation of the deity, than of mankind. Now, while I would love nothing more than to interview a Priest for my research, I'm afraid (due to the often extremist and atypical level of skepticism among my peers) I would only be able to do so if I had some scriptire or ethnographic studies to employ as a foundation, and then I could rely on an interview as further substantive documentation.

Take Care,
Wade MacMorrighan