Ganesha: God is Everywhere
September 15th 2007 08:11
Category: Indian Sciences
If you thought that Lord Ganesha – the Elephant God is little known beyond the boundaries of India, you will be surprised. If you run a google search, not only you would get a hundred possible data links but also pictures from the ancient North American tradition to China. Only thing that changes from country to country is His posture and the weapons in hand.
Lord Ganesha has different names, forms and symbolic significance in different countries. In countries like Tibet, Nepal, Srilanka, Afghanistan, China, Japan, Indonesia, Cambodia, Thailand etc, Lord Ganesh is hugely popular in different forms. Ganesha is worshipped as Sho-ten or Shoden (literally, holy god) in many Buddhist temples, and is believed to confer happiness upon his devotees. The idol of Ganapati in a Buddhistic monastery at Kung-Hsien in China carries the Chintamani (a precious gem) in the left hand. (The Chintamani is believed to be capable of granting any boon.)
Let’s read more about the presence of Ganesha in different countries in varied forms.
In Japan: Ganesha seems to have travelled to the Far East. Many Japanese temples depict two elephant-headed idols on the doors. These deities are shown wearing long gowns and embracing each other. In Japanese Buddhist literature, Ganesha is mentioned as the god who destroys evil.
In China: The deity resembling Ganesha is called Kangi Ten. These are again two elephant-headed figures embracing each other. This tantrik deity was worshipped till the 11th century. An idol of Vinayak (Ganesha) found in China has the head of an elephant, two arms and is seated square-legged.
In Mexico: Even today, some native Americans worship a deity with a human body and the head of an elephant. An ancient Aztec god also had similarities with Ganesha.
In Greece: Janus, the god in Greek mythology after whom the month of January was named, has the head of an elephant. Sometimes, he is depicted as a two-headed deity. Like Ganesha, Janus is worshipped at the beginning of any auspicious occasion.
In South America: the elephant-headed God was a part of the ancient Mayan pantheon.
In North America: Red Indians had a deity closely resembling Ganesh.
In Indonesia: Lord Genesha has recently graced the newly-printed Rs. 20,000 currency note.
Images from Askganesha.com and www.butuzou.co.jp. Text from mumbaimirror.com
Let’s read more about the presence of Ganesha in different countries in varied forms.
In Japan: Ganesha seems to have travelled to the Far East. Many Japanese temples depict two elephant-headed idols on the doors. These deities are shown wearing long gowns and embracing each other. In Japanese Buddhist literature, Ganesha is mentioned as the god who destroys evil.
In Mexico: Even today, some native Americans worship a deity with a human body and the head of an elephant. An ancient Aztec god also had similarities with Ganesha.
In Greece: Janus, the god in Greek mythology after whom the month of January was named, has the head of an elephant. Sometimes, he is depicted as a two-headed deity. Like Ganesha, Janus is worshipped at the beginning of any auspicious occasion.
In South America: the elephant-headed God was a part of the ancient Mayan pantheon.
In North America: Red Indians had a deity closely resembling Ganesh.
In Indonesia: Lord Genesha has recently graced the newly-printed Rs. 20,000 currency note.
Images from Askganesha.com and www.butuzou.co.jp. Text from mumbaimirror.com
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Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
MS Paint Art
Sorry I missed your other post, I really liked the unusual image on it, once again of an elephant, I think.
Keep up the good work,
katyzzz
Comment by MaaUpma
Indus Guru
Vastu - The Indian Science of Dwelling
EGurumantra - Demystifying India
These images are not just of elephants but of Elephant God which is worshipped by different names in different parts of the world. Even in North and South America by native Americans.
In India, Hindus worship Lord Ganesh - The God with an elephant head as God of Wisdom and destroyer of any obstacles. Hindus worship Lord Ganesh before any undertaking and pray to him for the success of the undertaking.
Ma Upma