Lord Ganesha - The Hindu Diety

Lord Ganesha - The Obstacle Remover

          Ganesha is known by various names like Vinayaka, Binayaka, and Ganpati. He is the elephant headed god in Hinduism. Ganpati is a very famous and beloved god of Hindus. He is the son of Shiva and Parvathi and is the sibling of Kartikeya. Ganesha has a very important place in Hindu tradition. Ganesha is a god of Wisdom, Prosperity, and Attainment. His elephant head makes him easy to identify. The name Ganpati is a compound of Sanskrit words gana(group) and Pati means ruler and lord. In Hinduism, his name comes first at the start of any ritual or ceremony. 

     

Lord Ganesha

          Ganesha's idols can be found anywhere in India, Srilanka, Thailand, and Nepal. Devotion to Ganesha differs widely and extends to Jains and Buddhists. He has an elephant head and big belly, he has a bowl full of Modaks(his favorite sweet). He carries a rope and an axe as his weapons. He is also known as the Obstacle Remover.

Mythical stories about Ganesha

          A number of stories are related to Ganesha's birth and Intelligence. Some of them are included in the following.

• Goddess Parvathi created his son out of a mixture of sandalwood and turmeric paste to safeguard the house, while no one else was there at home. In different stories the material out of which Ganesha was created changes but the occasion and purpose remain the same. This means Ganesha was not born from the natural relationship between male and female, that is why he is considered beyond the limitations of life and death.

          The recurrent story that tells how Ganesha got the elephant head is related with his slaying by Lord Shiva. 

• Ganesha was safeguarding the house when Goddess Parvathi was gone to take bath. Lord Shiva(Parvathi's husband) wanted to go in the house. Ganesha was not able to identify him and refused to allow him entry. Shiva came into a rage and slew Ganesha's head with his Trishul(Trident). But later when he understood that he has killed his own son, to satisfy and make peace with Parvathi he used his divine power to bring back life to the dead body of Ganesha but this time with the elephant head. Parvathi was not satisfied with this replacement. On this Shiva said that Ganesha will be the first god to be invoked during any religious rituals and without offering prayer to him no other God will be worshipped. He provided Ganesha with a boon that he will be the god of wisdom and knowledge and also be worshipped as the god of obstacles.

Ganesha Festival

          Ganesh Chaturthi or Vinayaka Chaturthi is the Hindu festival that admires god Ganesha. It is a 10-day festival which usually comes between late August and early September. This festival starts with the installation of clay idols in private homes or publicly on decorated pandals(temporary stage). For the 10 days, devotees chant mantras and songs related to Ganesha. People pay tribute by several ways like by offering coconut, jaggery, and modaks to Lord Ganesha.

 

Ganesh Festival

       
          On the 11th day, The idol of Ganesha is taken to lakes or oceans which is accompanied with dancing, singing, drums and loud speakers. On reaching the lake or ocean the idol is then immersed in the following water and the festival ends with this.

Famous temples of Lord Ganesha

          The most famous Ganesha temples are as follows.

1)Shree Siddhivinayak temple, Mumbai: This temple is the most popular Ganpati temple, very large number of people visit this temple every day, especially during Ganesh Festival. The temple was made by contractor Laxman Vithu Patil for childless women with the belief that it would advantage the women with no child. This temple looks very beautiful at nights, with its attractive lights and alluring flowers.
          Recently, this temple won the "Best Trust Award" for its participation in social activities and Human Welfare.

Shree Siddhivinayak temple, Mumbai

2)Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati temple, Pune: This is the second most popular temple of Ganesha in Maharashtra after Shree Siddhivinayak temple. This Ganpati temple is one of the richest in India and the most beautiful part of this temple is the Golden idol of Ganesha, also famous for its intrinsic designs. This temple was built by Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai, who was a sweet maker by profession, when he lost his son to plague.

Golden Ganesha idol at Shree Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati temple, Pune

3)Kanipakam Vinayaka temple, Chittoor: This temple is 75kms away from Tirupati in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. It is known for its historic structure, intrinsic designs and it comes among the best ancient Ganpati temple in India, the idol in this temple has three colors on its forehead, which are white, yellow and red. This temple was built by the Chola king Kulothing Chola I in the 11th century. Lots of people come here to worship Lord Ganesha and take a dip in the holy water of this temple to resolve their problems and clear their Sin. The main and very famous festival of this temple is Brahmotsavam, which is celebrated during Ganesh Chaturthi.

Kanipakam Vinayaka temple, Chittoor

The other famous temples are
4)Madhur Mahaganapati temple, Kerala.
5)Ranthambore Ganesh temple, Rajasthan.
6)Moti Dungri Ganesh temple, Jaipur.
7)Ganesh Tok temple, Gangtok.


          Ganesh is the lord of beginnings and the remover of obstacles. He guides u on the right path and awakens our spiritual knowledge. Keep Ganesha in your heart and he will take away all your problems and will support you in your hard times. May Lord Ganesha bless each and every one of us.


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