Whenever a Hindu in India or anywhere in the world
embarks on an important task, he prays to Lord Ganesha and usually chants; “Om
Shri Ganeshay Namah’. Lord Ganesha is also called “Vighna Harta”, remover of
obstacles in life. By praying, the Hindus invoke the Lord Ganesha to bless the
devotee with wisdom, intellect and help him/her in removing obstacles from the
path. Many outsiders call Lord Ganesha as an Elephant God as He is shown with
the head of an elephant with a long trunk.
The Ganesha festival was widely celebrated
publically in Pune, Maharashtra during the Chhatrapati Shivji era (1630-1680).
However, after the advent of British rule in India the festival lost its state
patronage and the festival took the turn of private family celebrations at
homes in Maharashtra. It was reviewed by the freedom fighter and social
reformer, Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak. Tilak also used the frestivals to bridge
the caste and class barrier is the society and unite Indian to challenge the
British rule.
There are many mythological stories about how
Ganesha got an elephant head. As per one of the story, Goddess Parvati, Lord
Shiva’s wife was envied Nandi, the Bull of Lord Shiva as the Nandi was very
faithful to Lord Shiva. Goddess Parvati had none like Nandi. So out of jealousy,
before going to bath, she created a turmeric Ganesha, declared him as her loyal
son and breathed him into life. She posted Ganesha on a guard duty at the door and
ordered him not to allow anybody inside as she would take a bath. While Parvati
was bathing, Lord Shiva came home but He was stopped by Ganesha to entered the
home as ordered by Parvati. Shiva was very furious with Ganesha and out of anger,
severed Ganesha’s head killing Ganesha instatnly. On learning this, Parvati was
enraged by the insult and decided to destroy the entire creation. The creator
Brahma got worried by the sudden development and pleaded with Parvati to
reconsider her decision. Parvati agreed but she put two conditions before; that
Ganesha should be brought back to life and he should be worshipped by the people
before all other Gods. Lord Shiva was cooled down by this time and He agreed to
Parvati’s conditions. Shiva ordered Brahma to get a head of the first creatures
that is lying with its head facing the north direction to put on Ganesha’s
body. Brahma returned soon with a head of a strong elephant which the Lord
Shiva attached to Ganesha’s body and brought it back to life. Lord Shiva
declared Ganesha as His own son and foremost among the Gods to be worshipped
before all Gods. Ganesha is also called the leader of ganas (people), Ganapati
also.
Thus ganesha God a prominent place among the Hindu
diety and is well worshipped globally as the God of wisdom and remover of
obstacles.
Everybody marvels the beauty of Ganesha idols and
deeply worship Ganesha during the Ganesh Festival in India and globally also.
The festival falls in the month of August-September; on the fourth day of Hindu
luni-solar calendar month of Bhadrapada. It commences with idol installation on
Ganesha Chaturthi (also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi) and the festivities last
usually for ten days or shorter. Many people install the idols at their home
and though the festival is very popular in Maharashtra, it is finding its
footprints all over the country and abroad. There are many installation at
public pandals especially erected for community puja (worship).
The curl of the trunk of Ganesha’s idol has its own
significance. The trunk curling on the right side is supposed to be fierier and
aggressive while the curling on the right side is indicates calmer side of
Ganesha. The fiery side of the Ganesha idol demands strict worship lasting for
ten days whereas the worship of the calmer version is easy and relaxed and can
last for lesser duration.
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