Source: www.thaindian.com
BENGALURU, INDIA, August 23, 2009: On the occasion of Ganesha Chaturthi, many devotees in different parts of the country like to pay their special obeisance to Lord Ganesha in distinct ways.
In Bhubaneshwar, an artist has sculpted Lord Ganesha statues from soap for the 10-day annual festival which commenced on Sunday. “People, including kids, will come to watch them. I will teach the art free of cost to kids who are interested to learn,” said L. Eshwara Rao, an artisan.
In Bangalore, a man is running a museum where he has exhibited a wide variety of Ganesha murtis for people. S.Tyagarajan is a collector of Ganesha murtis and has put on display 2,000 different ones in his museum. He started collecting Ganesha murtis after the passing of his wife, a devotee of Lord Ganesha. He says that people feel rejuvenated after visiting the museum. “I see in everybody’s face who come to see my museum happiness. And they say that there is some sort of positive energy and positive aura when they come inside the museum,” said S.Tyagarajan.
Ganesha Chaturthi is one of the most important festivals of Hindus in India. On the concluding day of the festival, the murtis are carried in grand processions and immersed in rivers or seas. Lord Ganesha, is one of the most revered Gods of Hindus, and is worshipped at the beginning of every auspicious occasion.
Ganesha, as the God of knowledge is described as “Vinayaka”and as remover of obstacles he is called “Vighanharta”. He is revered as the Lord of success and destroyer of evils and obstacles, besides being worshipped as the God of education, knowledge, wisdom and wealth. Lord Shiva bestowed Him a boon that people would worship him and invoke his name before undertaking any venture.