Among the numerous Gods who are worshipped in India, Ganesha holds a special place in everybody’s hearts. Kids love him because of his plump figure and the adventurous stories of his childhood in the heavens. For the older devotees, he is believed to be the God of Prosperity and Luck and is worshipped to bring peace in houses.

Lord Ganesha has the head of an elephant and body of a human, and according to his stories, he was very mischievous in his childhood. Thus every kid likes him because they can connect with his image very well. There is no end to Ganesha’s devotees in India. His popularity can be viewed on Ganesh Chaturthi, a festival when he is believed to come down to Earth and listen to the prayers of his devotees and grant them their wishes. In the ten day festival all his devotees dress up in new clothes and take part in “pujas” and pray to Ganesha for his blessings.

If you are planning to bring home an idol of Lord Ganesha to your home, you have made the right decision. Being the Lord of good luck and wealth, his name is taken before starting any good work for its successful completion. Worshipping his idol at home not only brings aesthetic values to your house, but also brings peace and good luck.

You will find either an idol or a framed picture of Lord Ganesha in most of the houses in India. Apart from idols there are a number of items on which there is Ganesha’s image inscribed, like key chains, show pieces, lanterns, and they are as popular among the devotees. Thus, you have a lot of options to choose from if you are planning to bring home your own Ganesh’s image.

* Ganesh Idols and Statues – They are the most popular items in home décor. These come in various sizes from small ones to be kept on shelves to large ones which are placed at a corner of the room. They add a lot of positive energy in your home environment and also a feel of spiritual bliss. These statues and idols are made in clay, metal, crystal and even other precious metals like gold and silver. The clay statues are beautifully and attractively painted and sometimes also adorned with real clothes and ornaments.

* Musical Ganesha – Apart from normal statues, now there are special Ganesha showpieces that play music when the button is switched on. Also there are small LED lights embedded in the idol that glow with the music.

* Ganesha Wall Hangings – Paintings and pictures of Lord Ganesha framed on the wall can be seen in every Hindu house in India. The painters blend different avatars of Ganesha to make some excellent pieces of art.

* Ganesh accessories – Apart from the regular statues, idols and show-pieces, there are numerous items of everyday use that have Ganesha’s image inscribed on them. These may include Ganesha jewelry boxes or storage boxes, Ganesha pillows or Cushion covers, Ganesha incense and also Ganesha candles.

Lord Ganesha, the elephant headed God is the first God, is considered the first God. He is very revered in India as he is the epitome of wisdom and good luck and no auspicious work can be begun without chanting prayers to worship him. His elephant-head and small shrewd eyes symbolizes wisdom, his long ears and long nose cannot miss anything and his vehicle, the mouse reflects the fact that a wise man will give importance even to the most insignificant and small creatures and life forms.

The elephant head is a symbol of wisdom as elephants are considered to be very wise animals. Also, the symbolic philosophy is that of evolution – a mouse gradually becomes an elephant and then a man.

The myth behind Lord Ganesha’s birth:

In the ancient ages of the Gods, once Lord Shiva had left his wife, Goddess Parvati alone, she got scared of being alone and created a son, Ganesh with her divine powers and asked him to protect the house. When Lord Shiva came back, he stubbornly refused to let him enter the house as Parvati had gone to her bath and ordered that no one should enter.

An angry Shiva chopped off the boy’s head. When Parvati lamented over his mistake, Shiva ordered that the boy should be brought back to life with the head of the first creature that his army came across in the forest. Unfortunately, it was the head of an elephant and its head was cut off and Ganesha was brought to life.

To make up for his deformity, Lord Shiva bestowed the powers of a God on Ganesha and made it mandatory that no activity could begin without invoking his name and blessings. Since then, any inauguration of a house, a business or a building is not begun without Ganesh puja.

There is another myth surrounding him. In childhood, Ganesha was very fond of sweets and pudding. Once, when he was full of such sweets, a snake came up and scared his mouse at which his stomach burst and the sweets came out. However, Ganesha stuffed them back and tied the snake around his belly. The moon saw all this and laughed out loud, which annoyed Ganesha and he hurled one of his tusks at the moon and cursed that anyone who looks at the moon on Ganesh Chaturthi will earn disrepute and ill luck.

The Festival of Ganesh Chaturthi:

Ganesh Chaturthi is the birthday of Lord Ganesha and it falls on the 4th day of the fortnight of Bhadrapada (August-September). All devoted Hindus celebrate this occasion in all parts of the world and milk and sweets are offered at homes and temples to the idols of Ganesh and Ganesh puja is performed. Small lamps are lighted and floated in the sacred rivers in the evening.

Everyone prays to Lord Ganesha to provide inner spiritual strength, wisdom and good luck so that they can attain good luck and prosperity in all their undertakings.