PARAKUNNATH SREE VETTAKKORUMAKAN PAYYAN KSHETHRAM (TEMPLE), AROLI, KANNUR, KERALA: Ganesha is essentially a Hindu or Indian deity

Sunday, 5 March 2017

Ganesha is essentially a Hindu or Indian deity

To most Indians, Ganesha is essentially a Hindu or Indian deity. Every human settlement in India boasts many Ganesha shrines, natural or man-built. Ganesha icons are almost always found in places where people perceive danger of any kind – such as steep slopes, river crossings, and road crossings, sudden dips in the path or thickly forested jungles where wild beasts can attack human beings.

However, few know that Ganesha is truly a global deity! Ancient heritage temple sites and historic excavations show that worship of this elephant-headed god of wisdom and auspiciousness was widespread across continents! This reveals a historical truth – that Indian religion and culture influenced not only all the countries of South East Asia, but also countries as far as Mexico, South America, Iran and South Africa in the medieval era.

In more recent times, Ganesha temples have been built wherever Indians have formed communities. Some of the biggest modern temples of Ganesha stand in London, New York, Paris, Durban, Hamburg, Melbourne and Edmonton among international many cities.
The neighbouring island of Sri Lanka, today a wholly Buddhist country, has 14 ancient temples of Ganesha. Many famous Buddhist temples have large Ganesha sculptures. Sri Lankans worship him and install him at the entrance of holy structures to invite his benevolence into their lives. It is obvious that Indian culture and religion have had a strong influence on this emerald island.

Nepal is a Hindu country with many cultural threads weaving its past with that of India. However, Nepal accepted the Tantrik cult of Hinduism, which is the religion of the majority in that country. Even today Hinduism in Nepal shows the influence of Tantrism. The Ganesha temples here show a slightly emaciated idol of the god with slanted eyes.!