HTemp: 38c
Rain: 0.0"
`-$: 44.62
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| Ganesha is in the little cage... |
Signs of religion are evident all over India. Our driver has a little copy of the Koran hanging from the rearview mirror of our car. And judging by the number of statues of Ganesha around here, India ought be an incredibly successful nation. Pocket shrines to the elephant-headed Hindu god, considered the "Lord of Success and destroyer of evil and obstacles," can be found in the front guard walls of many an apartment complex.
As with many Indian religions, there's disagreement over the story, but one of the versions says Lord Ganesh or Ganesha was the creation of Goddess Parvati and her husband, Lord Shiva. Looking for privacy while she bathed, Parvati created a boy of dirt from her own body to guard her rooms. When Shiva tried to enter, the boy blocked his way and Shiva beheaded him. Parvati was so distraught, Shiva sent his henchmen to bring back the head of any living being facing north. They returned with an elephant's head, which was attached to the boy's body.
Ganesha is depicted with the head of an elephant, a pot belly and at least four hands with one extended to bless people. He is said to impart everything from success to knowledge.
Luckily, we have one shrine guarding the gate to our apartment.
But according to our driver, while many believe a Ganesha in the wall is good for protecting the house, he jokes with other drivers that Ganesha enjoys the placement to "watch the ladies go by in the street."
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| One of "the ladies" checking out the Ganesha at our apartment |
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