Dagdusheth Halwai was a sweetmeat seller and successful businessman in the late 1800s who lost his only son. The grieving father was advised by his guru to pour his energies into commissioning idols of Lord Ganesha and Dattatreya (an avatar of Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma). In 1893, Dagdusheth had the Ganesha temple built in the city of Pune, India, which bears his name.
The temple was a source of inspiration for Bal Gangadhar Tilak, one of India’s stalwart freedom fighters, who was closely involved in India’s freedom movement. He hit upon the brilliant idea of refashioning Ganesh Chaturthi from a household festival into a sarvajanik or public celebration. Who better than Ganesha to unite the caste-ridden, fractious Indian polity? Apart from sacred rituals, the festival became a focal point for community activities, enabling those involved in the freedom struggle to find a way out of the British ban on organizing large meetings.
An interesting architectural feature of the Dagdusheth temple is its simplicity of design, which allows worshipers standing outside the temple to have a good view of the idol inside the sanctum.
This Ganesha is spectacularly adorned with gold jewelry donated by devotees – about 17 pounds of it! Ganesha has a solid gold ear and is insured for an astonishing $200,000!
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March 2010
Ganesh Ritual - II
Though Ganesha is pleased with a simple sincere prayer, many Ganesh devotees perform certain rituals that have been inspired by traditions and legends.
It is common to see a worshiper at a Ganesha temple holding his ears and performing squats ! This is followed by lightly tapping his temples with closed fists. Comic as it may seem, this practice is of great significance. As a ritual, it signifies seeking forgiveness from Ganesha for one’s wrongdoings (children are taught to perform this at an early age). There is more to it however, since Ganesha is specifically associated with higher mental powers. In recent times, this exercise has been promoted as a yogasana named Superbrain Yoga; its regular practice, along with the right breathing technique is said to sharpen the intellect and improve one’s powers of concentration. Try it!
Ganesha is worshiped with the simple ‘durva’ grass, which according to Ayurveda, is imbued with powerful healing properties. Legend has it that the gods once approached Ganesha for his help in subduing the demon Analasura, whose fire-emitting eyes scorched hapless victims. Ganesha transformed himself into a child and challenged the demon to a fight. When Analasura tried swallowing Ganesh, the deity revealed himself in his “viraat” or gigantic form and gulped down the demon instead. So fiery was the demon’s body that Ganesha was filled with agony. A group of sages passing by offered a bunch of durva grass. When these were placed over his head, Ganesha experienced instant relief from the heat within him. Ever since, durva has been used to worship Ganesha.
For many householders, the morning worship commences with Ganesha being given a ritual bath (recommended for waterproof stone idols). This can be as simple as pouring a little water over the idol, or more elaborately, bathing it successively in turmeric infused water, milk and rosewater. A dot of sandalwood paste and kum-kum (red powder) is then applied on his forehead.
Some devotees wrap a tiny strip of cloth around him and adorn him with flowers. Fruit, a split coconut, betel leaves and a bowl of water are offered to the idol and an oil lamp is lit before the sacred mantras are chanted. Ganesha is now ready for the day’s work of listening to his devotees’ requests!
Pictured above Scripture Ganesh Statue from Ganesh Mall
Ganesh Namavali: 20-26/108
A single Ganesha Namavali consists of 108 names, one for each bead in
the japa-mala or chain held while chanting his praises.
Some names evoke Ganesha’s physical attributes, while many praise
his qualities.
- As Dharmik, Ganesha embodies righteousness, gently prodding followers with his goad onto the path of truth, mercy and compassion.
- Dhoomravarna refers to his body, said to be the color of smoke. In some descriptions he is compared to a red lotus.
- As Durja, he is the Invincible One. He is eternal and therefore, indestructible.
- Ganesha is Dvaimatura, or ‘son of two mothers’. Parvati created him from her body, but the river Ganga nurtured him; hence, both claim him as their own.
Three of his names begin with the word ‘Ek’ or ‘One’ – aptly so,
for Ganesha is one of a kind.
- He is Ekaakshara, the personification of OM, the sound of the Universe.
- Ekadanta describes him as the Single-Tusked One, a unique attribute that hints at his being above the laws of the world.
- ‘Drishti’ means ‘direction’; as Ekadrishta, Ganesha has a wide vision, but having decided on a course of action, remains unwavering.
Ganesh Mantra: Om Ekadantaya Namah
Do thoughts in your head scurry around like rats in a cage?
Do minor interruptions throw you off course?
This mantra is for attaining single-mindedness in whatever you undertake. Meditating on Ganesha’s single tusk helps in focusing your energies. Also, the tusk is one of Ganesha’s deadly weapons, used to skewer demons. The mantra thus acts as a protective force field around you.
Whether you recite, whisper or utter
them silently to yourself, mantra japa or repetitive chanting is said to
be the simplest way to access God.
