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Home > Temples of Kerala > Icons of Ganapati Icons of GanapatiThere are several varieties of Ganapati icons available in our temples and archaelogical monuments. Whether the number is 71,50,31 or 21, it is certain that there are several aspects of this deity. Only a few of them can be dealt with here. Balaganapati and Tarunaganapati images depict him as a child and a young man, respectively. Vinayaka is shown with four arms holding the broken tusk, goad, noose and rosary. He holds the sweet modaka in his trunk. He may be standing or seated. Herambaganapati has five heads, ten hands, three eyes in each face and rides on a lion. Viravighnesa exhibits the martial spirit with several weapons held in his ten hands. Saktiganapati, several varieties of which are described in the Tantras, is shown with his Sakti, called variously as Laksmi, Rddhi, Siddhi, Pusti and so on. Worship of this aspect is said to confer special powers or grant the desired fruits quickly. One of the varieties of this Saktiganapati is called ucchistaganapati, the Ganapati associated with unclean things like orts, whose worship belongs to Vamacara (the left handed path, i.e., the heterodox and unclean path) and said to give quick results. There is nothing to dread or recoil in this concept. Dirty things are as much a part of nature as clean things. But, do not scavengers and doctors handle them in a hygienic way and serve the people? Are not all people obliged to be scavengers in varying degrees ? why not do it religiously, as an act of service and worship ? nature converts clean things into unclean things and vice versa. Making Ganapati preside over over it and handle dirt scientifically and religiously can also be a spiritual discipline. This seems to be the philosophy behind this concept. Nrttaganapati is a beautiful image showing him as dancing. It seems once Brahma met Ganapati and bowed down to him with great devotion and reverence. Being pleased with this Ganapati started dancing gracefully. That is why Ganapati is declared to be the master of arts of music and dancing. Varasiddhi Vinayaka is the aspect worshipped during the famous Ganesa Caturthi festival. He is said to be a celibate. Ganapati is sometimes depicted as a Sakti (female deity) under the names of Ganesani, Vinayaki, Surpakarni, Lambamekhala and so on. Ganapati is worshipped not only in images but also in Lingas, Salagramas, Yantras (geometrical diagrams) and Kalasas (pots of water). Ganapati Salagramas however, are very rare. The Svastika is also accepted as a graphic symbol of Ganapati. Temples and shrines dedicated to Ganapati are very numerous. They are spread all over the country. He appears in the campuses of temples of most other deities also. Article courtsey : Sri Ramakrishna Math Mylapore, Chennai. Related Reading
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