IDOL worshiping is a significant part of Hinduism.
During his wondering days Swami Vibekananda ,one day arrived in Alwar .He had a sharp exchange of word with the Maharaja of Alwar.
The Maharaja ridiculed the worship of image .

Which to him were nothing but figure of stone,clay or metal.Swami ji tried his best to explain him that

Hindus worship God alone using the image as symbols. The Maharaja wasn't convinced.Thereupon Swami asked the Prime Minister to take down a picture of Maharaja ,hanging on the wall,and to spit on it.Everyone present there was scared.

Then Swami turn to the Maharaja and said that though the picture was not the Maharaja himself in flesh and blood yet it reminded every one of his person thus was held in high respect.

Likewise the image brought to the devotee's mind the presence of Deity and helpful for concentration especially at the beginning for his spiritual life.The Maharaja apologized to Swami ji for his rudeness.