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Lord Ganesh. God of knowledge and Remover of obstacles By: Avanti Uma Mukerjee. Ganesha’s Looks Details. The son of Shiva and Parvati has four hands, elephant's head and a big belly. His vehicle is a tiny mouse. In his hands he carries a rope (to carry devotees to the truth),
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Lord Ganesh God of knowledge and Remover of obstacles By: Avanti Uma Mukerjee
Ganesha’s Looks Details • The son of Shiva and Parvati has four hands, elephant's head and a big belly. • His vehicle is a tiny mouse. • In his hands he carries a rope (to carry devotees to the truth), • an axe (to cut devotees' attachments), • and a sweet dessert ball -laddoo- (to reward devotees for spiritual activity). • His fourth hand's palm is always extended to bless people.
How Ganesha Got His Head(as depicted in the Shiva Purana) • Once goddess Parvati, while bathing, created a boy out of the dirt of her body and assigned him the task of guarding the entrance to her bathroom. • When Shiva, her husband returned, he was surprised to find a stranger denying him access, and struck off the boy's head in rage. • Parvati broke down in utter grief and to soothe her, Shiva sent out his squad (gana) to fetch the head of any sleeping being who was facing the north. • The company found a sleeping elephant and brought back its severed head, which was then attached to the body of the boy. • Shiva restored its life and made him the leader (pati) of his troops.
Ganesha, the Destroyer of Pride • Ganesha is also the destroyer of vanity, selfishness and pride. • He is the personification of material universe in all its various magnificent manifestations. • He is the Lord of success and destroyer of evils and obstacles. • He is also worshipped as the god of education, knowledge, wisdom and wealth.
Offerings given to Lord Ganesh • Devotees usually present their Lord with a garland of red hibiscus flower which is His favorite, a bunch of three blade grass, incense sticks, camphor, coconut and sweetmeats like Modak and Laddoos. • Some also offer garments like shawl, dhotis etc on special festivals. • Lord Ganesh only needs sincere and pure devotion from His devotees. • Pure thoughts is all what He asks for.
Ganesh Chaturthi • Ganesh Chaturthi, a ten day festival in August or September, is celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of Lord Ganesh. • The Hindus believe that praying to Lord Ganesh during the festival will bring good luck and prosperity for the family. • For 10 days, Lord Ganesha is worshipped. • On the 11th day, the image is taken through the streets in a procession accompanied with dancing, singing, to be immersed in a river or the sea. • After the final offering of coconuts, flowers and camphor is made, people carry the idol to the river to immerse it.
References • http://hinduism.about.com/od/lordganesha/a/ganesha.htm • http://www.koausa.org/Gods/God8.html
Quiz • Lord Ganesha is a God of what? (Name 2 things) • What 3 things the devotees offer to Lord Ganesh? • What is the name of 10 day festival we celebrate to mark the birth of Lord Ganesha? • Who are his parents? • What is his brother’s name? • What does He hold in his four hands? • Why did Lord Shiva call him “Ganapati”? • What 2 things people believe that the Ganesh Chaturthi festival brings to the family?