It will be appropriate to start this blog with a description of Lord Ganesha, the Vighnaharta, the remover of obstacles.
Vakratunda Mahakaaya Suryakoti Samaprabha
Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva Sarvakaaryeshu Sarvada
"O Ganesha, having a curved trunk, a large body, and the splendour of a
crore suns, please make all my endeavours free from hindrances."
crore suns, please make all my endeavours free from hindrances."
Ganesha, the first son of the divine couple, Shiva and Parvathi is
worshipped by crores of Indians as well as South East Asians.
worshipped by crores of Indians as well as South East Asians.
The famous Manakula Vinayakar temple in Pondichery has pictures
of different Ganesha icons worshipped in south east Asia.
His birthday, Ganesh Chaturthi falls on the fourth (Chaturthi) day of the
bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of Bhadrapad month (August-September) as
per the Hindu Calendar, and is celebrated with grandeour.
bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of Bhadrapad month (August-September) as
per the Hindu Calendar, and is celebrated with grandeour.
I will not describe commonly known things about the elephant headed
Vaamana Roopa, I will instead deal with the symbolism of Ganesha.
Vaamana Roopa, I will instead deal with the symbolism of Ganesha.
Symbolism of Ganesha:
Om, the primordial sound that is creation, is personified by Ganapati.
If you carefully notice the symbol OM, you will find that it resembles the
figure of an elephant. (See picture below.)
figure of an elephant. (See picture below.)
Indonesia has a small population of Hindus, who call themselves "Agamic
Hindus". They have another symbol for OM which I haven't seen in India.
Hindus". They have another symbol for OM which I haven't seen in India.
This symbol very clearly resembles an elephant. (See picture below.)
No wonder, the Mooshika Vaahana, Ganesha is also called "Omkara Swarupa".
Tamils fondly worship the ModakaHasta, Ganesha as Pillaiyaar.
Tamils fondly worship the ModakaHasta, Ganesha as Pillaiyaar.
"Pillai" means "son" and the suffix "yaar" denotes respect. Thus, He is the divine son.
In Tamilnadu, you can find icons of the MaheswaraPutra Ganesha under
banyan trees (Tamil: Arasa Maram), at the roadside, on the river bank,
indeed, everywhere-not just in a pucca temple made of concrete/stone.
banyan trees (Tamil: Arasa Maram), at the roadside, on the river bank,
indeed, everywhere-not just in a pucca temple made of concrete/stone.
He can be consecrated using nothing more than turmeric powder. It is
customary to start any Puja with a Vinayaka Puja, which involves making
turmeric powder into a cone, and chanting of Vedic Mantras. Thus, He is
very easy to meditate upon.
customary to start any Puja with a Vinayaka Puja, which involves making
turmeric powder into a cone, and chanting of Vedic Mantras. Thus, He is
very easy to meditate upon.
I pray to the omnipresent Lord to make this blog a grand success!
(OM Pictures taken from Wikipedia)
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