GODS and GODDESSES
Ganesha - Lord who removes obstacles
Lord Ganesha is the
most widely worshipped Hindu God. He is worshipped at the start of any
action or venture, for he is considered to be the Lord who removes obstacles
(vignam) and hence is also called Vigneshwara.
He has an elephant head, four arms.
In his upper hands he holds the paasam (noose) and ankusam. The lower two
hands are held in the abhaya and varada mudras. He is also seen holding
his broken tusk in his right lower hand and a modhakam in his left lower
hand. He has a huge belly and is fond of various sweets and fruits. He
wears a snake as an ornament round his belly. He is depicted in seated,
standing and dancing postures.
He is considered a bachelor,
but according to another school of thought, he has two Sakthis - Siddhi
& Buddhi. Siddhi represents success and prosperity. Buddhi represents
wisdom.
His vahana is a tiny mouse (mooshikam
or minjur).
Other Vahanas: Lion in Kritha yuga,
peacock in Thretha yugam, Mooshikam in Dwapara yugam, horse in Kaliyugam.
He is also depicted on rishabam and elephant.
He is also known by other namavalis
such as:
Ganapati (head of Siva ganas)
Gajanana (one with elephant face)
Vigneshwara (one who removes obstacles)
Pillayar
Vinayagar
Ganesha Gayatri mantram
om tat purushaaya vidmahae
vakra dhundaaya dheemahi
tanno dhandhi: prachodayaat
Stories
on Lord Ganesha
Ashtalakshmi temple, Besant Nagar, Chennai
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