Glory of Lord Ganesha
Ganesha is worshipped across India as the Lord of benignity and auspiciousness. He is also the God of wisdom. Before undertaking any work Hindus offer their obeisance to Lord Ganesha. It is believed that He is instrumental in removing all hurdles, hence he is called ‘Vighneswara’.
He is invoked at the commencement of all pujas and functions. He is also known as ‘Ganapati’ as He was made the chief of the Ganas by Siva and Parvati. Sage Vyasa worshipped Ganesha by reciting His sixteen names before commencing Skandam.
16 Names
They are: ‘Sumukhan, Ekadantan, Kapilan, Gajakarnan, Lambodaran, Vikatan, Vighnarajan, Vinayakan, Dhumaketu, Ganadhyakshan, Phalachandran, Gajanan, Vakratundan, Surpakarnan, Heramban, and Skanda Purvajan.’
Worshipped in Many Forms
Sri Ganesha has shrines even in the remote villages of South India. In most of the images of Ganesha, the trunk is turned towards the left side. According to the South Indian tradition, Ganesha is represented as a celibate but is shown in the company of His consorts in the North.
They are Siddhi, a personification of success and Buddhi, a symbol of wisdom.
He is worshipped in many forms.
The worship of Ganapati has become very popular nowadays. Ganesh puja is performed with great devotion and enthusiasm by Hindus throughout India. ‘Vinayaka Chaturthi’ festival is celebrated with great eclat throughout India in the month of Bhadrapada, usually in September.
The temples as well as the temporary structures dedicated to the deity that come up in all the streets are brilliantly lit, attracting large crowds. The huge processions during the immersion (Nimajjanam) mark a sense of unity among the Hindus.
According to legends, Ganesha Himself wrote the great Epic ‘Maha Bharata’ to the dictation of sage Vyasa.
Glorious forms of Lord Ganesha
The glorious forms of Lord Ganesha are
Bala Ganapati
Seated on a lotus, He has four hands holding a banana, mango, sugar cane and jackfruit, all representing the earth’s abundance.
Taruna Ganapati
The youthful Ganapati is in a sitting posture with eight hands. His bright red colour reflects the blossoming of youth.
Bhakta Ganapati
With four hands He shines like the full moon. Bhakta Ganapati is seen holding a banana, a mango, a coconut and a bowl of sweet payasa pudding.
Vira Ganapati
Red in colour, He is in a standing posture with 16 arms. The commanding warrior is seen with various weapons.
Shakti Ganapati
With four hands, He is in a sitting pose with a consort on His left thigh. Powerful and assuring, He allays fears with this posture.
Dvija Ganapati
Four-headed and four-armed, He is moon-like in appearance. He is adorned with ornaments in his hands.
Siddhi Ganapati
He is a symbol of confidence and accomplishment. His colour is golden yellow and He is seen holding a bouquet, axe, mango and sugarcane.
Uchchishta Ganapati
He is the Lord of offerings. Blue in colour, He has six hands. His consort is seated on his left thigh.
Vighna Ganapati
Having eight hands, brilliant goldcoloured, He is adorned with ornaments.
Kshipra Ganapati
Red-hued, and four-armed, He is a giver of boons.
Heramba Ganapati
Seated on a lion He has five heads with ten hands. His posture is one of offering safety and protection.
Lakshmi Ganapati
With eight hands, He is seen with two consorts. He is the embodiment of wisdom and achievement. His colour is white and He is known to grant boons.
Maha Ganapati
He is red-hued having three eyes. He has His consort seated on His left thigh and the Moon on His head.
Vijaya Ganapati
A bestower of success, He is robust and resourceful. He is red with four hands. He is seen riding a mouse.
Nritya Ganapati
Yellow in colour and joyful in appearance, He is seen in a dancing posture under a kalpavriksha tree.
Urdhva Ganapati
With six hands He is of golden hue. His consort is seated on His left thigh.
Ekakshara Ganapati
Having four hands and three eyes, He is red-complexioned. He is seen in a lotus pose on a Mushika.
Varada Ganapati
Four-armed and three-eyed, He is a boon giver. He is seen with a consort named ‘Pushti Devi.’ He holds a pot filled with jewels in his trunk.
Tryakshara Ganapati
The Lord of three letters, He is of golden hue having four hands. He is the embodiment of the sacred word, AUM.
Kshipra Prasada Ganapati
He has six hands and three eyes. He is red and is seated on a grass throne.
Haridra Ganapati
With four hands, He is of yellow colour assuring and protecting His devotees.
Ekadanta Ganapati:
With a single tusk, His form is marked by a blue colour with four hands.
Srishti Ganapati
Lord of happiness and success, He is of red complexion riding on his friendly mouse.
Uddanda Ganapati
With ten hands His posture is one of assertiveness enforcing dharma. He is red. His consort is seated on the left thigh.
Rinamochana Ganapati
A liberator, He has four hands. He is of crystal colour and dressed in red.
Dvimukha Ganapati
He has two heads and four hands. He is blue and is adorned in a red dress.
Dhundhi Ganapati
Red-coloured, He has four hands. He is the remover of all obstacles.
Trimukha Ganapati
He has three heads and six hands. He is seated on a golden lotus and is of red hue.
Simha Ganapati
Seated on a lion, He has eight hands. He is of white hue and holds another lion in one hand suggesting fearlessness.
Yoga Ganapati
He has four hands, and his legs are strapped symbolising a meditative posture. He is of red hue.
Durga Ganapati
Of golden hue with eight hands, He is adorned with a red dress. He is seen holding a bow and arrow in His hands.
Sankatahara Ganapati
Having four hands, He is seated on a red lotus flower dispelling the sorrow of his devotees. A consort is seated on His left thigh.
21 leaves for Lord Ganesha Pooja
The 21 leaves hold a unique significance and purpose in Ganesha Pooja. By offering these twenty-one leaves to Lord Ganesha, devotees seek His divine blessings for wisdom, success, and the removal of obstacles in their lives. Here we are giving the leaf name along with its medicinal value.
- Machi Patram – (Davana): Treats skin diseases.
- Bruhati Patram – (Dorali): It relieves joint pains.
- Bilva Patram – (Bela): All parts of this tree’s leaves, fruit, stem, and roots are used as medicine to cure various diseases.
- Doorvayugmam – (Doorva): Doorva helps to arrest bleeding and anaemia.
- Dhattura Patram – (Dhotara): It works as an antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory.
- Badari Patram – (Bora): It treats Laryngitis, cough, digestive disorders, wounds, and injuries.
- Apamarga Patram – (Aaghada): It treats digestive disorders, poisonous bites, and asthma. Improves digestion and metabolism.
- Tulasi Patram – (Tulas): It is one of the best antiviral herbs. It is an antimicrobial and anti-toxic.
- Chootha Patram – (Aamba): It treats diabetes, heartburn, stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and skin discolouration. It also acts as a good energizer and stimulant.
- Karaveera Patram – (Kanheri): This is a toxic herb and it is used for external applications.
- Vishnukranta Patram – (Shankhapushpi): Used to treat brain and nervous system-related disorders.
- Daadimee Patram – (Dalimb): It treats dysentery, food poisoning, diarrhea, and acidity-related disorders.
- Devadaru Patram – (Devadar): It treats skin diseases, wounds, injuries, headaches, arthritis, mastitis, and stiffness.
- Maruvaka Patram – (Murva): It treats skin diseases and stops abnormal menstrual flow.
- Sindhuvara Patram – (Nirgundi): It treats Vatarelated problems, is used as anti-poisonous drugs, rheumatoid and osteoarthritis and grey hair.
- Jaati Patram – (Chameli): It treats skin diseases, wounds, mouth-related problems, indigestion, erectile dysfunction, gingivitis, and eye diseases.
- Gandaki Patram – (Kanchanar): Used to treat heart-related diseases, piles, skin diseases, and cervical lymphadenitis.
- Shamee Patram – (Shami): It treats mouth ulcers, joint pains, diarrhea, itching skin diseases, scorpion bites, wounds, bleeding disorders, and repeated abortion.
- Ashwathha Patram – (Pimpal): It treats joint swelling, pain, pimples, bleeding and wounds. Its bark is used in the preparation of many medicines.
- Arjuna Patram – (Arjun): It treats joint pains, heart diseases, wound and septic conditions, fractures, chronic respiratory disorders, and tuberculosis.
- Arka / Mandar patram – (Rui): It treats poisonous bites, wounds, injuries, leprosy, tumours, joint pains.
Eco-Friendly Clay Idols
The practice of people making and worshipping Ganesha idols made of PoP, different chemicals and colours causes enormous damage to ecological balance. Especially after the Ganesha idol immersion that normally takes place on the ninth day, the tanks, lakes, rivers and other water bodies are contaminated.
These are nonbiodegradable and, hence, pollute the waters and harm aqua life. This adds to the woes of already depleting water resources. Such environmental pollution is still widespread as the practice of making PoP idols is followed in many places.
However, environmentalists and social awareness groups are making this practice obsolete by making clay idols of Ganesha. Eco-friendly clay idols will not harm the natural surroundings, and the benefits of this practice need to be propagated on a large scale.
