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Sep 02 2008
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culture, hinduism, india, religion, spirituality
• wikipedia.org
Ganesha (Sanskrit: गणेश; Gaṇeśa; also spelled Ganesa or Ganesh), the elephant-headed son of Shiva and Parvati, is widely worshipped as the supreme god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune.
He is one of the best-known and most worshipped deities/divinities in Hinduism.
Although he is known by many attributes, Ganesha's
elephant head makes him easy to identify. Several texts relate
mythological anecdotes associated with his birth and exploits and explain his distinct iconography.
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Ganesha is popularly worshipped as the Remover of Obstacles, and also more generally as Lord of Beginnings, Patron of Arts & Sciences, and the God of Intellect, Learning and Wisdom. He is honoured with affection at the start of any ritual or ceremony and invoked as the "Patron of Letters" at the beginning of any writing.
Ganesha is a popular figure in Indian art. He may be portrayed standing, dancing, heroically taking action against demons, playing with his family as a boy, sitting down, or engaging in a range of contemporary situations.
Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati, Pune, India
Ashtavinayak अष्टविनायक literally means "eight Ganeshas" in
Sanskrit. The term also refers to a pilgrimage to the eight temples in
Maharashtra state of India, that house eight distinct (and famous) idols of Ganesh, in a pre-ascertained sequence.
The Ashtavinayak tour covers the eight ancient holy temples of Lord Ganesha which are situated around
Pune. Each of these temples has its own individual mythology and history, as distinct from each other as the idols in each temple.
The position of each idol, and its trunk are some of their differentiating aspects.
Shri Mayureshwar, Morgaon, India
One of the most famous Ashtavinayak temples/idols Amazingly, Ganesha is considered to be a "cool" icon by the youth these days -- Ganesha motifs can be seen in wide range of accessories/events particularly targeted at the youth, such as the sand-art and the funky tattoo below.
