Ganesha is Back !

Ganesh Chaturthi is one of my favourite Indian festivals, where the Hindu population make or buy large Ganesh idols and place them in their home during the ten days of the festive season.  Ganesha is the God of New Beginnings and the Remover of Obstacles, making him one of the most popular Gods in India.  You can never have too much help in those departments.

At the end of the festival the idol is usually paraded through the village or town and then taken to a body of water and emerged.  The immersion represents Ganesh returning to Mount Kailash, Parvati and Shiva - his home and parents.  Many years ago (and unfortunately still often today) the idols are made of plaster of paris, not clay, and the paint can be very toxic.  So, as wonderful as this festival is, it is sad to think how much water pollution is created from this single festival each year.

His facial features represent the following:

• He has small eyes and mouth representing the need to concentrate more and speak less
• His large ears are to listen carefully and filter the good and bad from what you hear
• He often has one broken tusk which represents the need to keep the good and discard the bad in your life
• His fat belly has a few meanings but one is that Ganesh will swallow the sorrows and pains of the universe, therefore protecting us all

A few facts about Ganesha are easily described below.

Photo from:  http://www.johnlund.com/Hindu-Gods-The-Hindu-God-Ganesha-Picture-and-Story.asp

This week, I went to a nearby village to see the idols being made and painted and whilst I was there a little girl, probably 5 years old, came and took me by the hand and led me to the back of the tent.  There was a makeshift room covered with a tarp and inside was a lady, who I assume was her mother.  She was lying on a straw bed and she then moved her cover and there was the newest of newborn babies by her side.  It was amazing - this lady must have given birth only hours before and the little girl was just so excited to show me here little brother or sister.   As you can imagine, the lady was not so impressed with me being there and yelled at her daughter, so I subsequently left.  Only in India !

I am sorry for the photo s

That is one seriously big Ganesh - that is a truck beside it !

the men in the background are to show how big these are !

pre-painting.