Lord Ganesh (Lord Ganesha): The Remover of Obstacles
Lord Ganesh is one of the most popular and revered Hindu deities, worshipped not only in India but all over the world. He is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, and is also known as Vinayaka, Ganapati, and Ganesha. Lord Ganesh is easily recognizable with his elephant head and human body, and is the god of wisdom, knowledge, and new beginnings.
The legend of Lord Ganesh's birth is well-known in Hindu mythology. It is said that Goddess Parvati created Lord Ganesh out of clay while she was taking a bath. She then breathed life into the figure and asked him to guard the entrance while she finished her bath. When Lord Shiva returned home, Lord Ganesh refused to let him enter, as he did not recognize him. In his anger, Lord Shiva beheaded Lord Ganesh. When Goddess Parvati saw this, she was devastated and pleaded with Lord Shiva to bring her son back to life. Lord Shiva then replaced Lord Ganesh's head with that of an elephant, thus giving birth to the elephant-headed god that we know and worship today.
Lord Ganesh is widely worshipped as the god of new beginnings and is invoked at the start of any new venture. His blessings are sought by students before exams, by couples before the start of a new relationship, and by businesses before starting a new project. Lord Ganesh is also the remover of obstacles and is often worshipped before the start of any important event to remove any hurdles that may come in the way.
The elephant head of Lord Ganesh represents wisdom and knowledge, while his human body represents the earthly existence. The mouse that is often depicted at his feet represents the ego that can nibble away at a person's wisdom if left unchecked. Lord Ganesh is often depicted holding an axe, which represents his ability to cut through obstacles, and a lotus, which represents enlightenment.
The festival of Ganesh Chaturthi, which falls in the months of August-September, is one of the most important festivals in the Hindu calendar. It is a ten-day festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesh and is marked by the installation of clay idols of Lord Ganesh in homes and public places. On the final day of the festival, the idols are immersed in water, symbolizing Lord Ganesh's return to his heavenly abode.
In conclusion, Lord Ganesh is a beloved Hindu deity who is worshipped for his wisdom, knowledge, and ability to remove obstacles. His iconic elephant head and human body make him easily recognizable, and his blessings are sought by people from all walks of life. The festival of Ganesh Chaturthi is a time to celebrate his birth and seek his blessings for new beginnings. Lord Ganesh is a symbol of hope and inspiration for all those who seek to overcome obstacles and achieve success in their endeavors.
