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It was Ganesh Chathurthi couple of days back. All people would have bought Lord Ganesha- made out of mud, would have performed Pooja, offered Modhaks, Payasam and other Neivedhyams and would have dissolved the idol in the wells or beaches. Well, many of us wouldnt be aware of why is Ganesh Chathurthi celebration is so unique among all other festivals. Even small kids love Lord Ganesha. You know why ? Obviously, it should be because of His gracious and attractive elephant's face. Are you curious about how Lord Ganesha was born and how He got this elephant's face ? Here you go....
There are a few legends attributed to the birth of Lord Ganesha. However the most popular one is this :
When Lord Shiva used to go away on long periods of meditation/tapas, Lord Nandikeshwara was appointed as guard to Parvathi. One day Parvati asked Nandikeshwara to stay outside and guard the house while she bathed. She was specific that nobody should be let inside. At that time, when Shiva happened to come by and saw Nandikeshwara guarding the door, he was surprised. Nandikeshwara allowed Lord Shiva inside the house by mistake. This enraged Parvathi and made her to create an idol out of turmeric (used for the divine Snanam). She shaped the idol as a boy and gave life to it to guard her and thus Lord Ganesha was created.
This is the reason, why we use turmeric to create Ganesha idol (Haridhraaa Bimbam) for Vigneshwara Puja, the default starter for any auspicious events.
It was again Lord Shiva's tapas/meditation period. One day Parvati asked Lord Ganesh to stay outside and guard the house while she bathed. The little boy understood the instructions and took it seriously. Thus when Shiva happened to come by and saw a young boy guarding the door, he was surprised. He tried to go in but Lord Ganesha prevented him from entering. Shiva questioned him, but the boy simply told that his mom has told Him not to allow anybody from entering the house. Shiva at first reasoned with him, and then got angry and cut of Lord Ganesh's head with his Trishul (trident). Parvati obviously on hearing this commotion came out and demanded Lord Shiva to restore Ganesha's life at once. But unfortunately, Shiva's Trishul was so powerful that it had hurled Ganesha's head very far off. All attempts to find the head were in vain. As a last resort, Shiva approached Brahma who suggested that he can replace Lord Ganesha's head with the first animal that comes his way. Shiva sent his Ganas to get the head of the first thing that they saw. The Ganas spotted a baby elephant whose head got transplanted onto Lord Ganesh.
This was how Lord Ganesha was adorned at my house on Ganesh Chathurthi day. May Lord Ganesha bless each and everyone of us with peace and prosperity !!
