One evening, Vishnu Ji appeared as a priest in front of Shiv Ji and requested them to let him by their son. Bemused, they gave their consent. The Priest (Vishnu Ji) then transformed himself into a beautiful child’, to the delight of the new found parents. On this happy occasion, all the gods came over to bless the new child. Vishnu Ji (himself) blessed him as a repository of knowledge, Brahma Ji blessed him with fame and to be the foremost gods & goddess also blessed him with other qualities. This is the origin of Ganesh Ji.
ORIGIN
According to another legend, Ganesh Ji was produced from the sweat of Parvati Ji whoc deputed him to guard the place when she wanted privacy while having a bath. When Shiv Ji arrived, Ganesh Ji did not allow him in, as he was unaware of the identity of Shiv Ji. This enraged Shiv Ji who cut off Ganesh Ji’s head. When Parvati Ji discovered this and explained the truth to Shiv Ji, he felt sorry. Shiv Ji then ordered his attendants to bring head of any baby whose mother may be asleep. Attendants saw a baby elephant in such a position and brought its head which was then transplanted by Shiv Ji on Ganesh Ji’s body. To further console Parvati Ji, who was still in tears seeing an elephants head on her son’s body, Brahma Ji announced that Ganesh Ji will have prececence over other gods in the matter of worship.
ABODE
Eternal and omnipresent, he is generally at Mount Kailash, along with parents Shiv Ji and Parvati Ji
IMPORTANCE
Ganesh Ji is the god of auspicious beginnings. Major religious and other activities comfort with the phrase ‘ Om Shri Ganeshay Namah’ meaning we pray to Ganesh Ji. He is worshipped to invike his blessing to surmount all difficulties and ensure success in any venture.
Ganesh Ji is giver pre-eminence over other gods as granted by Brahma Ji, In addition to what has been mentioned above, legend has it that once there was a competition amongst gods for the first place of worship, It was decided that the god who traverses the universe fastest will be declared winner, All the gods and goddesses began the race on their fastest vehicles where-as Ganesh Ji, with his limitations of pot belly and slow moving vehicle mouse, took a round of parents Shiv Ji and Parvati Ji and then sat down. He was declared winner since parents are considered to be universe themselves. Since then Ganesh Ji is treated & worshipped as first among gods.
SOME OTHER NAMES/EPITHETS
1. Ekdant
2. Lambakarna
3. Modakpriya
4. Ganpati
5. Lambodara
6. Vighneshwar
7. Gajanan
8. Vinayak
9. Gajadhipati
TYPICAL DEPICTION
· Ganesh Ji has elephant’s head and four arms, holding shell, discus, club and lily. Has serpent around his waist and his vehicle mouse alongside
· Always shown with a tray of sweets (modak) and having pot belly.
· In some Images, he is shown holding sugarcane bow.
· Ganesh Ji is sometimes shown in playfully dancing pose.
· To signify his association with knowledge and prosperity, sometimes Ganesh Ji is depicted seated alongwith Lakshmi Ji and Saraswati Ji.
SOME TEMPLES
In all temples of Shiv and Parvati Ji, he is shown alongside.
His idol is usually placed at the entrance of temples in line with the myth about his guarding the entrance of Parvati Ji’s private chamber.
· Siddhi Vinayak Temple, Mumbai (Maharashtra)
· Ganesh Dhundiraja Temple, Varanasi (UP)
· Ashth Vinayak Temples 8 temples near Pune in ( Maharashtra)
· Rajangaoncha Mahaganpati Temple, Rajangaon (Maharashtra)
· Chintamani Vinayak Temple, Theur (Maharashtra)
RELATED FESTIVALS/CEREMONIES
Ganpati Mahotsav is held sometime around August, more popularly in Maharashtra, when Ganesh Ji idols are installed in every locality, worshipped for ten days and finally immersed in sea/river.
SOME INTESTING INFORMATION
His vehicle mouse symbolizes capability to destroy every obstacle.
When Parshuram (an incarnation of Vishnu Ji) came to visit Shiv Ji on Mount Kailash, Shiv Ji was sleeping. Ganesh Ji, who was guarding the entrance refused entry to him. At this Parshuram got enraged and threw his axe (a gift from Shiv Ji to him) to attack Ganesh Ji. Realising it as the sacred thing originally belonging to his father, Ganesh Ji received it, with humility, on his tusks, one of which got severed off partially. Thereafter, Ganesh Ji is also called Ekdant.
Ganesh Ji is said to have two wives, Siddhi (success) & Riddhi (prosperity). It is therefore presumed that whoever worships Ganesh Ji and pleases him, gains success and prosperity.
His elder brother is Kartikeya Ji.
In Kerala, Ganesh Ji’s image is covered with a sweet preparation in honour of Ganesh Ji’s liking for sweets.
Swastik is known to be graphic symbolization of Ganesh Ji.
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