Mangalore : Most people know that Lord Ganesh is known by as many as 108 names. But very few may know that the elephant headed god has taken eight different avatars or incarnations from time to time. The eight incarnations of the lord as mentioned in religious scripture, Mudgala Pura, depicts different characteristics of the Ganpati.

The deity took these avatars to defeat eight weaknesses of human beings. These weaknesses or doshas were­ arrogance, ego, desire, anger, greed, delusion, inebriation and jealousy. Interestingly, there is a symbolic function in each of these incarnations.

Let’s have a look at these eight incarnations and their significance:

Vakratunda:

This is the first incarnation of Lord Ganesh which means the one with a curved trunk. Vakratunda was the Ganesh who slayed the demon Matsarasura, a devotee of lord Shiva. Matsarasura was and still is the symbol of jealousy and envy. Thus symbolically in this avatar, Ganesh is the destroyer of jealousy. Vakratunda’s vahana is the lion.

Ekadant:

As the name suggests, this avatar of Lord Ganesh is the one with a single tusk. In this incarnation, he defeated the demon Madasur who after taking Shukracharya’s permission became really powerful and started harming the gods. Madasur was considered as an embodiment of arrogance. Ganesh’s vahana in this avatar is a mouse. He had four arms, one tusk, and a huge belly with an elephant head.

Mahodara:

The third incarnation was of Mahodara, the one that vanquished Mohasura, the demon of delusion and confusion. Later, the demon became a devotee of the Lord. Even in this avatar, Ganesh’s mount was a mouse.

According to religious scriptures, Mohasura was a devotee of the sun god and dominated the three worlds or the lokas All the deities were terrified of him and decided to worship this form of the Ganesh. The lord was pleased with their devotion and decided to fight against the demon. Later on, Lord Vishnu advised Mohasura to surrender and pray to Mahodara.

Gajanana:

The fourth incarnation of the Ganesh is Gajanana, which means the Lord with an elephant head. An elephant head on a human body is a unique characteristic of Ganesh. In this incarnation the deity defeated Lobhasura, the son of Lord Kuber. He was a demon of greed. Just like Mahodara and Ekadanta, Gajanana also mounts a mouse.

Lambodara:

Lord Ganesh incarnated into this avatar to eradicate the demon of anger, Krodhasura. According to legends, during Samundarmanthan when Lord Vishnu had taken the form of Mohini, Lord Shiva was struck with passion. On seeing this Vishnu immediately gave up the avatar. Lord Shiva became angry and out of his disappointment a terrible demon names Krodhasura was born. Lambodara’s vahana was the divine mouse, Krauncha.

Vikata:

Ganesh’s next incarnation was of Vikata, the one that subdued the demon of desire, Kamasura. Like the other avatars, in this form too the Lord possesses the body of a human being and head of an elephant. A divine peacock serves as Ganesh’s vahana in this incarnation.

Vighnaraja:

This is Lord Ganesh’s most popular incarnation. In this lifetime, Ganesh killed the demon of attachment, Mamasur, also known as Mamtasur. This incarnation is known as the remover of obstacles. In the 7th incarnation Lord Ganapati’s mode of conveyance was a sheshnaag.

Dumravarna:

In this incarnation the elephant headed god defeated Ahamkarasur, the demon of self-infatuation. According to legends, tired of the rule of Aham, all the deities meditated upon Lord Ganesh for salvation, it was then that the Lord descended to their rescue in the form of Dhoomravarna killed the demon. His mount in this particular incarnation was also a mouse.

History

The festival of Ganesh Chaturthi finds its origin in the Maratha reign, with Chatrapati Shivaji starting the festival. The belief lays in the story of the birth of Ganesha, the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Although there are various stories attached to his birth, the one most relevant is shared here. Goddess Parvati was the creator of Ganpati. She, in the absence of Lord Shiva, used her sandalwood paste to create Ganesha and put him to guard while she had gone for bathing. While she was gone, Lord Shiva got into a fight with Ganesha as he did not allow him to enter, as per his mother`s orders. Enraged, Lord Shiva cut off Ganesha`s head. When Parvati saw this sight, she took the form of Goddess Kali and threatened to destroy the world. This worried everyone and they requested Lord Shiva to find a solution and calm the rage of Goddess Kali. Shiva then ordered all his followers to immediately go and find a child whose mother has her back towards her child in negligence and bring his head. The first child seen by the followers was that of an elephant and they, as ordered, cut his head and brought to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva immediately placed the head on Ganesha`s body and brought it to life again. The rage of Maa Kali was calmed and Goddess Parvati was overwhelmed, once again. All the Lords blessed Ganesha and the day is today celebrated for the same reason.

Celebration

Ganesh Chaturthi preparations commence from almost a month before the festival. The celebrations last for around ten days (from Bhadrapad Shudh Chaturthi to Ananta Chaturdashi). On the first day a clay idol of Lord Ganesha is installed in homes. Homes are decorated with flowers. Temples witness the visit of large number of devotees. Poojas are performed and bhajans are chanted. Often, families gather together to celebrate the festival. Localities organize and arrange for pandals and install large idols of Lord Ganesha to celebrate the festival with friends and family. On the final day of the celebrations, the idol of Lord Ganesha is taken on the streets. People exhibit their enthusiasm and joy in the form of dancing and singing on the streets along with the idol. The idol is finally immersed in the river or sea. The day witnesses a large number of devotees expressing their happiness and offering their prayers.

Ganesh Chaturthi Pujan

Ganesha pujan starts from installing a clay idol of Lord Ganesha in your home. Various dishes are cooked for offering (bhog). The idol is given a bath with pure water and then decorated with flowers. Jyoti is lite and then the aarti begins. Various bhajans, and mantras are chanted at this time. It is believed that chanting the mantras with complete devotion brings life to the idol. It is also believed that during this period, Ganesha visits the home of his devotees and bring prosperity and good fortune with him. For the same reason the day is observed as a very auspicious day.

Festival Dishes
Although there are a large number of sweets offered to Lord Ganesha during the pujan, but Modak is known to be the lord`s favourite sweet and is therefore one of the main dishes made on this day. Other dishes include Karanji, ladu, barfi and pede.

5 Things That Lord Ganesha Loves

1. Modak: First things first, Lord Ganesha is a complete foodie. The love handles and enormous pouches on his body leaves no doubt that Ganesha just loves food. So, the easiest way to Ganapati’s heart is through his belly. Modak is a particular kind of sweet that look like dumplings. They are Ganesha’s favourite sweets and must be offered to him on Ganesh Chaturthi.

2. Dhruva Grass: This is basically the blades of grass that has 3 branches and grows wild in the fields. There is an interesting story that explains why Ganesha loves Dhruva grass. Ganesha once swallowed an evil demon named Analasura who was tormenting the Gods. But after after swallowing the demon, Lord Ganesha was in immense pain as the evil demon refused to get digested. Some ancient wise sages rained Dhruva grass on him and his stomach cooled. From then on, this grass is a favourite of Ganesha.

3. Marigolds (Genda): Most people who bring the idol of Ganesha home to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi use red and yellow marigolds to decorate. Ganesha loves marigold and he is often seen wearing garlands made of marigolds and Dhruva grass.

4. Conch Shell (Shankh): Ganesha has 4 hands and one of them holds a conch shell. Many Hindu festivals are initiated with the blowing of the conch shells. Ganapati too likes the sound of the conch shells. Many people blow the conch at home while doing Ganesha aarti. The shrill sound is supposed to wade away evil spirits.

5. Fruits Of The Season: Coconuts and bananas are Ganesha’s favourite fruits. Ganesha’s head is of an elephant and thus has a weakness for bananas and all parts of the plantain. His idols are usually surrounded by banana leaves and also the stem of the banana plain. Some people also offer plantain flowers to Ganesha. These are 5 of the things that Lord Ganesha adores. Also remember that he is a pure vegetarian and his Wednesday is his day of the week.

Managlore

In city Sarvajanika Ganeshotsava is  celebrated at Sanghaniketan, KSRTC bus stand, Omkara Vedike, Bunts Hostel, Nehru Maidan and several other places for ten days from August 29. 

Sarvajanika Ganeshotsava at Neharu Maidan

Sarvajanika Ganeshotsava at Bunts Hostel

Sarvajanika Ganeshotsava at Police lane