Introduction
Lord Ganesha is one of the most beloved Hindu deities. He is revered as the remover of obstacles and is worshipped before the start of any new venture or important event. Lord Ganesha is also known as the god of wisdom, knowledge, and education, making him a popular deity among students and scholars. In this article, we will discover 10 fascinating facts about Lord Ganesha that you need to know.
The elephant-headed god
Lord Ganesha is known for his unique appearance, as he is represented with an elephant’s head and a human body. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Ganesha was born with a human appearance, but his head was replaced with that of an elephant to save his life. This transformation made Lord Ganesha more powerful and wise.
Son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati
Lord Ganesha is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Parvati created Lord Ganesha from the dirt on her body when Lord Shiva was away. When Lord Shiva returned, Lord Ganesha prevented him from entering the house, leading to a battle that resulted in Lord Ganesha losing his head, which was later replaced by an elephant’s head.
The significance of the mouse
Lord Ganesha is often depicted riding on a mouse or Mooshak. The mouse represents ego and desire. Through Lord Ganesha’s control over the mouse, he is believed to control his own ego and desires, thereby reaching a higher state of consciousness.
Lord Ganesha and modak
Lord Ganesha is known to have a sweet tooth for modak, a dumpling made of rice flour, coconut, and jaggery. It is believed that feeding Lord Ganesha modak during his worship brings good fortune and blessings.
The broken tusk
Lord Ganesha is often portrayed with a broken tusk. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Ganesha broke his tusk to use it as a pen to write the Mahabharata to dictate to the sage Vyasa.
Lord Ganesha and the Om symbol
Lord Ganesha is associated with the Om symbol, the primordial sound of the universe. It is said that Lord Ganesha’s body represents the sound of Om, making him the embodiment of the sound and the universe.
The 108 names of Lord Ganesha
Lord Ganesha has 108 names, with each name carrying a specific meaning. The names are often chanted during Lord Ganesha’s worship, and each name carries a unique significance and power.
The Ganesha festival
The Ganesha festival or Ganesh Chaturthi is a Hindu festival celebrated all over India. During the festival, Lord Ganesha is worshipped with great fervor, and his idol is decorated and immersed in water at the end of the festival.
Lord Ganesha and the environment
Lord Ganesha is often associated with the environment. His association with the mouse represents his desire to keep the environment clean, and the modak he adores is made from natural ingredients, further highlighting his connection to nature.
Conclusion
Lord Ganesha holds a special place in the hearts of millions of people worldwide. His unique appearance, wisdom, and association with education and knowledge make him a popular deity. The fascinating facts mentioned in this article provide a glimpse into Lord Ganesha’s significance and his impact on Hindu mythology and culture.
