Ganesh Statues

Ganesh Statues are a fairly common sight all around the world. The Elephant God, as he is known in the western countries has fascinated people across the globe with his obvious elephant face, large tummy and tiny mouse. This Hindu god is invoked at the beginning of all traditional rituals and is worshipped in thirty two different forms recognized in the Agamic scriptures.

The 32 names of Ganesh are Baala Ganesh, Dharuna Ganesh, Bhakti Ganesh, Veera Ganesh, Shakti Ganesh, Dwija Ganesh, Siddhi Ganesh, Ucchishta Ganesh, Vigna Ganesh, Kshipra Ganesh, Heramba Ganesh, Lakshmi Ganesh, Makara Ganesh, Vijaya Ganesh, Nritta Ganesh, Urdhva Ganesh, Vara Ganesh, Ekakshara Ganesh, Dhryakshara Ganesh, Kshipraprasaada Ganesh, Haridra Ganesh, Ekadhanta Ganesh, Srishti Ganesh, Utthanda Ganapati, Ranamochana Ganesh, Dundi Ganapati, Dwimukha Ganesh, Trimukha Ganesh, Simha Ganapati, Yoga Ganapati, Durga Ganesh, and Sankatahara Ganapati.

Lord Ganesh also has quite a few names that he is called by such as Ganapati, Ganesha, Ekadantaa, Chaturbhuj, Amit, Kapila, Krti, and so on. His hundred and eight names are symbolic of his various characteristics, blessings, legends attached to his godliness and praises by his worshippers.

Ganesh is known as the eldest son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. There is a fascinating story about this in the Ganesh Khanda of the Brahma Vivarta Puraan. The story goes something like this. Lord Shiva and Goddess Paravti were gifted the magical Wisdom Fruit which held the nectar of immortality and supreme knowledge and they wanted to bestow it on one of their sons which were Lord Ganesh and Lord Kartikeya (Subramanya). Unable to decide Lord Shiva thought for a bit and suggested that they have a race. He said that whoever went around the whole world three times and came back first to the starting point first would be the winner and get the magical fruit. Upon hearing this Lord Kartikeya flew away on his peacock hastily to take a round of the world, quite confident because his brother was slower and fatter; while Lord Ganesh simply walked around Shiva and Parvati and encircled them three times and asked for the prize of his success. Lord Shiva told him that he had not gone around the world, but Ganesha lovingly replied saying, “No, but I have gone around my parents. My parents represent the entire manifested universe!” And upon hearing this Lord Shiva decided Ganesh to be the winner and the tales of his wisdom and intellect abound to this day.

There are many stories of this Hindu god. In fact each name and form of Lord Ganesh has a story behind it. Different Ganesh statues too represent some or the other form of the lord. Reading up on some stories might be a good way to get an insight into such Hindu gods.

Statues of Ganesh

The God of wisdom, attainment and prosperity, Ganpati or Ganesha is in all probability one of the most loved and worshipped deities in Hinduism. In fact, there is a ten-day festival celebrated in India, Nepal, and by Hindus living in the United States, Canada, Fiji, Singapore, etc., starting on Ganesh Chaturthi and ending on Anant Chaturdashi. This festival marks the birth of Lord Ganesh as one of the superior gods. The beloved elephant-headed God is believed to bestow his presence on all who worship him during these ten days of celebrations. The festival begins with setting up of statues of Ganesha at homes and podiums especially built and exquisitely decorated for the festival.

On the last day of the festival, Anant Chaturdashi these statues are immersed in water. Traditionally the statues were made out of mud, but through the years they transitioned into materials like Plaster of Paris, which is not environmentally friendly. People have now become aware of the environmental danger and damage this enormous amount of Plaster of Paris does to the rivers, lakes and hence the eco-system, and started considering alternatives like using a permanent idol made out of stone, fiberglass, fiber reinforced plastic (FRP), or metals.

There are a number of options available in the market nowadays. You can find the simplest idols if that is how you interpret the power of Lord Ganesh or the most intricately carved figure that holds every minute detail about the idol right from having his Modak (sweet offerings) and mouse by his feet, to his Parashu (axe), Pasha (lasso) and Ankusha (hook) in his hands. These idols come in a variety of sizes, styles and details that you can choose from, according to your preferences and purpose of acquiring the statue. While many might see the statues as an idol for worship, there are a large number of people who like buying statues of this deity for decorative purposes, as a gift for special occasions, and some even collect different Ganesh statues as almost each is distinct and unique in its own way.

Statues of Ganesha may be portrayed dancing or standing, but most popularly sitting on a throne with a protruding belly, his weapons in hand, mouse and sweets called modaka or laddus by his side. The sheer skill of the artisans and their craftsmanship can be witnessed through some of the more intricately worked on elaborate idols of this deity. Owning such piece of art, a statue of Ganesha, regardless of its size or purpose is something you can take pride in for years to come.