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Endowed with child-like innocence, mischief in eyes and carefree disposition the cool, soft and benign elephant-headed Ganesha is invoked primarily for removing obstacles and assuring a detriment-free beginning.
In the canons of Indian Sculpture, unanimity prevails in regard to the broad appearance of Ganesha. He has an elephant head with a single tusk and twisted trunk, usually turned to left but sometimes to right, planted over a human torso. Ganapati's head is often conceived with winnowing basket-like large ears and small drowsing eyes. His belly is protruding like a pot and the whole figure has a plumpish look. Though endowed with a huge body – ‘mahakaya’, great magnificence and brilliance of millions of suns, he has a figure with moderate height, not claiming any kind of robustness. On the contrary, however huge Ganesha's figure is, he reveals a child-like tenderness.
Iconography of Ganesha
Apart from a few Ganesha-like terracotta images recovered in excavations from different Indus Valley sites, Ganesha's statues that have roots in the deepest history belong to the initial centuries of the Christian era. By the Gupta period his statues, both of aesthetic interest as well as votive, had been well set. In initial sculptures Ganesha had normal two hands and two eyes which continued also during Gupta period (4th to 7th century AD), but now they also began having a third eye and more than two hands, four, six, eight, ten and even sixteen.
Though the images of the period revealed unique plasticity and great elegance and were rare in aesthetic modelling, they were quite simple. In the post-Gupta period statues of Lord Ganesha began assuming highly decorative character and diversified forms. Early sculptures of Ganesha were usually seated, ‘padmasana’ – lotus-seated, or otherwise, and invariably in thoughtful quietude. However, the sculptors of the subsequent period preferred Ganesha's standing images, often in a posture of dance, or at least bending right or left, sometimes in ‘tribhanga’ – three-curved posture, in some innovations even reclining with his head supported on his right hand or on a huge bolster, identical to the Buddha’s ‘Parinirvana’ – final extinction images, and sometimes playing on musical instruments, drum in particular.
Not so much the early, his subsequent images were well bejeweled. Two snakes, one serving as a belt around his belly, and the other, as ‘yagnopavit, were almost essential features of Ganesha's adornment. Countering this essentially Shaivite attribute he was adorned with a crown that revealed Vaishnava character. In some other sculptures, Ganesa was portrayed with Saraswati and Lakshmi on equal footings.
FAQs about Ganesh Statue
Where should we keep Ganesh statues at home?
The essential three components of a peaceful life are well-being, happiness, and good health, which can be manifested by having a Lord Ganesha statue, that radiates these energies.
Lord Ganesha is one of the most loved Hindu deities and is revered at the start of all good deeds and ceremonies. However, many homeowners, on the other hand, neglect the tradition of arranging it in the proper location. The proper placement of a statue draws joy, prosperity, good health, success and eliminates all impediments.
The energy in your home will immediately shift if you place a Ganesh statue in the northeast, north, or west directions. To keep negative energy out of your home, place the Ganesh statue in the living room as it will stand guard over negative energy entering your home. The most crucial location is on your study table; he is the God of Intelligence and will assist you in concentrating better. However, under no circumstances should it be near a bedroom, washroom, toilet or against a wall attached to it.
Which Ganesha idol is good for home?
According to Vastu experts, sitting Ganesha is ideal for the home since it fosters positive energy and a pleasant environment. If the placing is within the walls of the home, the sitting posture is regarded as the optimal posture. This sculpture promotes serene and gentle aspects of life.
The reclining posture of the Ganesh statue represents luxury, comfort, and wealth. If a person needs to attract all of these, it is advised to have reclining a Ganesh statue at home. Whereas a statue of Lord Ganesha made out of brass kept at home invokes colossal prosperity and joy to the individuals involved. On the other hand, a Lord Ganesha wooden statue at home brings good health, long life and success. Therefore, whichever idol as expressed in the sculpture holds the greatest significance for you, you can always welcome that to your space.
What direction should Ganesh face?
Many adorn their Pooja room with Ganapati's statue. The northeast corner of the room, also known as the Ishan corner of the room, is traditionally regarded as the most auspicious for placing the statue of Lord Ganesha. It is considered the greatest location for a Ganesh statue.
If you are unable to find a suitable location in the northeast corner of the room, you can position the Ganesh statue so that it faces north or west. It is preferable to position the statue towards the north, as this is considered the dwelling of Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha's father. However, while you worship, your face must be turned to the East, which is the finest orientation according to Vastu.
Enunciating about the idol, let’s not obliterate Ganesha’s trunk direction too has a unique significance.
The trunk pointing left is the most favoured direction for the house, since it is said to generate positive vibes. Ganesha, widely known as Siddhi Vinayak, should preferably be worshipped with the trunk facing the appropriate way during important ceremonies. Furthermore, if you intend to display Ganesha at your office, keep in mind that a standing idol is thought to provide excitement and positive energy to the workplace.
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