As you enter the Chaar Dham Temple, the first sight is of Lord Ganesha, the beloved son of Shiva and Parvati, the remover of obstacles and bringer of good fortune, revered for His elephant-headed form and divine qualities.
Lord Ganesha: The First-Worshipped and Remover of Obstacles
According to beliefs and Hindu scriptures, Lord Ganesha, also known as Gajanana (the one with an elephant face) and Vighnaharta (the remover of obstacles), is one of the most beloved and revered deities in Hinduism. He is worshipped as the god of wisdom, intellect, and success. Every auspicious work begins with his blessings. Let’s explore his fascinating story and learn why he is worshipped first.
The Story of His Birth
Once, Goddess Parvati created a beautiful boy from the turmeric paste (or dirt) from her body while she was preparing for a bath. She gave life to him and instructed him to guard the door and not allow anyone to enter. Soon, Lord Shiva arrived, but the boy stopped him at the entrance. Angry at being obstructed, Shiva severed the boy’s head. When Goddess Parvati saw this, she was heartbroken and furious. To pacify her, Lord Shiva replaced the boy’s head with that of a baby elephant and brought him back to life. From that moment, he was named Gajanana (elephant-faced).
Why Is Ganesha Worshipped First?
Once, a debate arose among the gods about who should be worshipped first in every ritual. To settle this, Lord Shiva announced a challenge: “Whoever circles the entire world and returns first will be given the honor of being worshipped first.” While the other gods set off on their swift mounts, Ganesha quietly walked around his parents, Shiva and Parvati, and said: "For me, my parents are my entire world." Pleased with his wisdom and devotion, Shiva blessed him with the boon of Pratham Pujya (the first to be worshipped). Since then, no religious ceremony begins without invoking Lord Ganesha.
The Festival of Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in the month of Bhadrapada (August-September) to mark the birth of Lord Ganesha. Devotees install beautifully crafted idols of Ganesha in their homes and temples, offering prayers, sweets, and devotion.
Some Interesting Facts About Ganesha
12 Sacred Names: He is known by many names, such as Sumukha, Ekadanta, Kapila, Gajakarna, Lambodara, Vikata, Vighnaraja, Vinayaka, Dhumraketu, Ganadhyaksha, Bhalachandra, and Gajanana
Marriage: Lord Ganesha married Riddhi (prosperity) and Siddhi (success), and they had two sons – Kshema (well-being) and Labha (profit).
Mahabharata Connection: It is believed that sage Ved Vyasa dictated the Mahabharata, and Ganesha wrote it down.
