Gods of India: Their History, Character and Worship by V. K. Desai presents a comprehensive study of the principal deities of Hinduism and their evolution through Indian religious history. Drawing upon Vedic literature, the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, the Puranas, and other classical Hindu texts, the book explains how various gods and goddesses emerged, developed, and became central to Hindu belief and worship. It traces the transformation of early Vedic deities into the rich and diverse pantheon of later Hinduism while examining their religious, cultural, and philosophical significance. The book provides detailed descriptions of major deities such as Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Durga, Kali, Ganesha, Kartikeya, Hanuman, and many others. For each deity, it discusses historical origins, mythology, iconography, symbols, attributes, legends, temples, festivals, and forms of worship. It also explains concepts such as avatars, divine manifestations, the Trimurti, Shakti worship, Bhakti traditions, and the relationship between mythology and religious practice.