Free AI web copilot to create summaries, insights and extended knowledge, download it at here

Abstract

e who has the face of an elephant</h2><figure id="f719"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*xYcm4F6nJn8hBkfwODgljw.jpeg"><figcaption>Lord Ganesha with different Indian musical instruments, personal collection [Image by <a href="undefined">Sanghita Pal</a>]</figcaption></figure><h2 id="328c">5. Lamodara- One who has huge protruded pot belly</h2><figure id="e482"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*oP9k0yT06xqryMrhUKxFBQ.jpeg"><figcaption>Tabletop waterfall with Ganapati on it, personal collection [Image by <a href="undefined">Sanghita Pal</a>]</figcaption></figure><h2 id="e71f">6. Vikata- One who is formidable</h2><figure id="ca3f"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*bqXLTDijWiDqaLKL2eqjYQ.jpeg"><figcaption>Lord Ganesha is believed to be the younger son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, personal collection [Image by <a href="undefined">Sanghita Pal</a>]</figcaption></figure><h2 id="5f36">7. Vignaraja- One who controls obstacles</h2><p id="2c0e">It is considered that chanting the Ganesha <i>Mantra</i> (prayer) 108 times every morning and evening helps you break through all the obstacles and get freedom from all troubles.</p> <figure id="259e"> <div> <div> <img class="ratio" src="http://placehold.it/16x9"> <iframe class="" src="https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fembed%2FnTqDUUG_aFI%3Ffeature%3Doembed&display_name=YouTube&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DnTqDUUG_aFI&image=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FnTqDUUG_aFI%2Fhqdefault.jpg&key=a19fcc184b9711e1b4764040d3dc5c07&type=text%2Fhtml&schema=youtube" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" width="854"> </div> </div> </figure></iframe></div></div></figure><h2 id="9649">8. Dhumravarna- One who has smoke color</h2><figure id="dbc8"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*x_Vv1El8NqrDKcJ-e01yYA.jpeg"><figcaption>A candle holder with Ganapati in it, personal collection [Image by <a href="undefined">Sanghita Pal</a>]</figcaption></figure><h2 id="73be">Prayer for Lord Ganesha</h2><p id="fe2b" type="7">Vakratunda Mahakaya Surya Koti Samaprabha | Nirvighnam Kuru Me Dev Sarv-Kaaryeshu Sarvadaa ||</p><p id="71a2" type="7">“Oh Lord with a curved trunk and powerful body, whose aura is equivalent to the light of crores of suns put together, always remove the obstacles that hinder my work and shower your blessings upon me.”</

Options

p><p id="27ad">A BIG shoutout for <a href="undefined">Jason Edmunds</a> for considering and publishing my write-up in his vibrant publication, A Taste for Life.</p><div id="beb8" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/want-to-write-for-a-taste-for-life-77c7c9c7f20a"> <div> <div> <h2>Want To Write for “A Taste for Life?”</h2> <div><h3>We are open to contributions from new and seasoned writers.</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*pDMdcxljOOlhBXu2)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><p id="396d">A B-I-G shoutout to some magical weavers of words:</p><p id="1f31"><a href="undefined">Adrienne Beaumont</a>| <a href="undefined">Anne Bonfert</a>| <a href="undefined">Mary Anne Hahn</a>| <a href="undefined">Mary Chang Story Writer</a>| <a href="undefined">Sandi Parsons</a>| <a href="undefined">Indra Raj Pathak</a>| <a href="undefined">Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles</a>| <a href="undefined">Ellie Jacobson</a>| <a href="undefined">pockett dessert</a>| <a href="undefined">Pam Saraga</a>| <a href="undefined">Ashley Broadwater</a>| <a href="undefined">Adrienne Parkhurst</a>| <a href="undefined">Rhonda Carrier</a>| <a href="undefined">Jan Sebastian</a>| <a href="undefined">B.R. Shenoy</a>| <a href="undefined">Dr. Preeti Singh</a>| <a href="undefined">Mukundarajan V N</a>| <a href="undefined">David Acaster</a>| <a href="undefined">Nancy Blackman</a>| <a href="undefined">Aimée Gramblin</a>| <a href="undefined">Asim Chowdhury</a>| <a href="undefined">Kaori Mitsui</a>| <a href="undefined">David Perlmutter</a>| <a href="undefined">Penny Grubb</a>| <a href="undefined">Thief</a>| <a href="undefined">Sharing Randomly</a></p><p id="6cbe">Thanks for stopping by…means a lot. Happy Festivity to everyone.</p><div id="8fce" class="link-block"> <a href="https://medium.com/@sanghitapal"> <div> <div> <h2>Sanghita Pal - Medium</h2> <div><h3>Read writing from Sanghita Pal on Medium. Writer, learner, empath~passionate about life and nature and all in…</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*SK5tVa0fF9g-gWBm)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div></article></body>

PHOTOGRAPHY, LIFE EXPERIENCE, CULTURE

The Deity Fond of Sweets and Sweet-Smelling Scents

Ganesh Chaturthi—The 10-Day Revelry

Cut-Paste DIY collage of 12 varied colored Ganesha (and framed by a photoframe maker), personal collection [Image by Sanghita Pal]

Widely revered as Vignaharta (Remover of Obstacles), Lord Ganesha (Gan means people and esha means God) is the God of beginnings, he is honored at the onset of Hindu rituals and ceremonies. He is inordinately fond of sweets and sweet-smelling fragrances.

While India gears up for the annual 10-day festivity, Ganesh Chaturthi (annual festival honoring Lord Ganesha which generally falls in late August or early September) starting on August 31 this year, I simply glance through the Ashta Vinayaka or the eight forms of Lord Ganesha.

It is believed that Lord Ganesha had to take following avatars (incarnates) to protect people from 8 self-destructing habits — kama (lust), krodha (wrath), mada (arrogance), lobha (greed), matsarya (jealousy), moha (attachment), ahankara (excessive pride), and agyan (ignorance).

1. Vakratunda- One who has a curved trunk

Sketch of Ganapati on greeting cards by son some years ago [Image by Sanghita Pal]

2. Ekadanta- One who has one tooth

Indian sweet delicacies, laddoos and modaks, considered favorites of Lord Ganesha [Image by Sanghita Pal]

3. Mahodara- One who is generous and kind

Welcoming Lord Ganesha, venerating with flowers [Image by Sanghita Pal’s son]

Faith is not belief without proof, but trust without reservation— Elton Trueblood

4. Gajanana- One who has the face of an elephant

Lord Ganesha with different Indian musical instruments, personal collection [Image by Sanghita Pal]

5. Lamodara- One who has huge protruded pot belly

Tabletop waterfall with Ganapati on it, personal collection [Image by Sanghita Pal]

6. Vikata- One who is formidable

Lord Ganesha is believed to be the younger son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, personal collection [Image by Sanghita Pal]

7. Vignaraja- One who controls obstacles

It is considered that chanting the Ganesha Mantra (prayer) 108 times every morning and evening helps you break through all the obstacles and get freedom from all troubles.

8. Dhumravarna- One who has smoke color

A candle holder with Ganapati in it, personal collection [Image by Sanghita Pal]

Prayer for Lord Ganesha

Vakratunda Mahakaya Surya Koti Samaprabha | Nirvighnam Kuru Me Dev Sarv-Kaaryeshu Sarvadaa ||

“Oh Lord with a curved trunk and powerful body, whose aura is equivalent to the light of crores of suns put together, always remove the obstacles that hinder my work and shower your blessings upon me.”

A BIG shoutout for Jason Edmunds for considering and publishing my write-up in his vibrant publication, A Taste for Life.

Want To Write for “A Taste for Life?”

We are open to contributions from new and seasoned writers.

medium.com

A B-I-G shoutout to some magical weavers of words:

Thanks for stopping by…means a lot. Happy Festivity to everyone.

Sanghita Pal - Medium

Read writing from Sanghita Pal on Medium. Writer, learner, empath~passionate about life and nature and all in…

medium.com