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The beloved elephant-faced-Deity popularly known as Lord Ganesha has intrigued men all over the world, all through the ages even unto the present day. The sacred texts give a variety of stories narrating the sequence of Lord Ganesha's birth. The most popular is the one mentioning that Ganesha was created by Goddess Parvati as a guardian of her privacy. Ganesha, the remover of obstacles was made to impede anybody wishing to encroach upon Parvati's own space. Parvati needed somebody whom she could adore, whom she could trust, somebody who might not bow to anybody and rather face them in case they meddle in Parvati's space. Ganesha is the child of Shiva and Parvati and he is the sibling of Karthikeya (or Subrahmanya), the divine force of war. He was built by his mother, Goddess Parvati. She used earth and created the shape of a boy who she would love dearly and always keep close to her.
The word Ganesha is comprised of gana (adherents of Shiva) and isha (master), hence Shiva designated him as the ruler of his ganas. In Hindu word for word, the expression 'Shri Ganesh' connotes the beginning of something, particularly the beginning of something great and positive. Ganesha is the remover of all obstructions; venerated in the inception of Hindu customs and functions. There is a conviction that no endeavor could fail if Lord Ganesha's name is taken. He is the lord of luck; the start of all beginnings and the deliverer of all. Ganesha is viewed as the exemplification of incomparable information and heavenly insight.
Ganesha is typically portrayed as a Ganesha icon with the body of a man and the top of an elephant, having just a single tusk, the other tusk is seemingly broken. The exceptional component of the Ganesha sculpture, other than the elephant head, is the enormous tummy for all intents and purposes falling over his lower piece of clothing. On his chest, across his left shoulder, is his hallowed string, draped around him like a snake. The vehicle of Lord Ganesha is the mouse, for the most part, seen paying respect to his Lord.
FAQS
Q1. What does Lord Ganesha’s statue symbolize?
The physical attributes of the Ganesha statue are themselves rich in symbolism. Ganesha is represented with one of his hands in the pose of protection- the abhaya pose, and the other holding an Indian sweet, Modak, representing the sweetness of self-realization. He has two of his hands placed behind him, in which he holds an ankusha (elephant goad) and a pasha (noose). The latter portrays how our materialistic attachments are like a noose in our life. The goad is to prod man to the path of righteousness and truth; the Lord uses it to banish the obstacles on the path of his devotees. His belly signifies all the sadness and obstacles he has eliminated, and also his all-giving nature.
Q2. How should a true devotee worship Lord Ganesha?
In certain places, Lord Ganesha is emblematically venerated as a cone made of turmeric or cow compost. Food offerings of ladoos (sweet balls) made of til and jaggery (sugar) are presented with utmost dedication. In certain families and temples, wooden statues of Ganesha are worshipped. A true devotee prays to Lord Ganesha on Tuesdays and Fridays. Nowadays, Hindus often go to the temple promptly in the first part of the day and offer desserts and organic fruits to Ganesh. Holy Saints will perform a "Puja" dedicated to Lord Ganesha.
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