Idols - Ganesha

 

Idols - Ganesha

 

Ganesha or Ganesh (also called Ganapati or Vinayaka) is one of the most well-known and most loved deities in the Hindu pantheon. He is well recognised with his elephant head and pot-belly, often depicted as holding a bowl of round sweet treats, called modakapātra. His vehicle is a large Indian bandicoot rat, symbolising his ability to overcome anything to get what he wants. Ganesha is known to be the remover of obstacles. Ganesha is revered as the parton of arts and sciences, and the deva* of intellect and wisdom.

*Deva: ‘heavenly, divine, anything of excellence,’ and a term for a deity in Hinduism.


Traditionally, Ganesha is regarded as the child of Shiva and Parvati, however various myths give different versions of the details of his birth. In some, he was created by Parvati, in others by both Shiva and Parvati. In one, Ganesha mysteriously appeared and was found by Shiva and Parvati. A final myth states that he was birthed by the elephant headed goddess Malini after she drank Parvati’s bath water that she had thrown down the river. In some parts of India Ganesha is believed to be celibate, whereas other areas believe he is married to both Buddhi (intelligence) and Siddhi (success). Other traditions give him a third wife Riddhi (prosperity).

Ganesha is worshipped on many religious occasions but also on other special occasions without ties to religion, such as the buying of a house or starting a business. He is worshipped by almost all castes and Hindu denominations throughout all parts of India, granting prosperity, success and protection against adversity (as linked to the martial status mentioned above). 


Each year, Ganesha is worshiped for ten days during a festival named Ganesha Chaturthi, which typically falls in late August or early September. During this festival, people bring clay idols of Ganesha, which represent the god’s visit. The idols are then immersed in the nearest body of water during the festival. Ganesha is often offered sweet treats and flowers, and the whole house is cleaned before the arrival of the idol. The entire family gathers to welcome Ganesha into the home.

The image of Ganesha is found throughout India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bali (Indonesia) and Bangladesh and other countries with large ethnic Indian populations including Fiji, Mauritius and Trinidad and Tobago. He teaches people to keep an open mind, to think prudently and to seek knowledge, which overall sound like pretty good things to live by to me.


Alice  

Comments

  1. BridgetFebruary 2, 2021 at 6:16 AM

    Lovely. I've been at several Ganesh festivals. A lot of activity and music and seen the idols put into the river. Very hot it always is. I also have several Ganesh wee statues. (And Buddhas in case of bias).

    ReplyDelete
  2. myarmFebruary 15, 2021 at 9:31 AM

    Ganesh is my favourite of the lot...he hangs out in various corners and shelves in my dining room

    ReplyDelete

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