Om Shree Ganapataye Namah!!!

I am very fortunate that Ganapati Bappa has given me permission to write a few lines about him. As we all know that without his permission not a single work will be started and accomplished.

We celebrate Ganesh Puja (his birthday) on the date of Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi every year. On this particular day, we do sthapana (place) of Lord Ganesha deity in our house, schools, and workplaces for 1 day, 3 days, 5 days, or 9 days to seek his blessings in our life. We consider him as a Bighna (Obstacle) harta (destroyer) and do puja in a very grand way.

Since my childhood, one question always triggers in my mind — why is he so special? I am surprised to know that he is not only worshipped by Indians, but also in other parts of the world such as Tibet, China, Japan, and many others in Southeast Asia. In India, he has 108 names such as Lord Ganesha, Mushika Bahana, Lambodhar, Gajanan, etc. He is also known as a Kangiten in Japanese Buddhism and Phira Phikanet in Thailand.

• Big elephant head: It symbolises big thinking and intelligence. Scientifically it has been proved that an elephant is 3 times cleverer and more intelligent than a human. Their neurons system is 3 times faster than the normal human being.
• Big ears and small mouth: He listens to his devotee's prayer and talks less.
• Small eyes: It is helpful to concentrate on loved ones.
• One and a half tooth: It symbolises dedication and sacrifice. Once he broke his other teeth to write “Mahabharat”. So he is called “EKDANTA”.
• One long trunk: It indicates strength, power, high efficiency, and versatility.
• Raised right hand: Always for blessings with Om symbol.
• Left-hand ladoo: It indicates that he always gives rewards to his devotees for their devotion.
• Large stomach: It symbolises that he will easily digest all good things and bad things from our life.
• Flower: It says that the devotees have surrendered themselves on his feet.
• Book: It shows that always place books under his feet, meaning surrender your intelligence on his feet.
• Mouse: It tells that keep your desire under control, otherwise it will lead to the path of destruction.

May the symbolism of Lord Ganesha guide us towards wisdom, humility, and devotion.