How the elephant-headed deity Ganesha is honored through stone and temporary clay art
In short: Discover the dual nature of Ganesha worship in India, from ancient temple sculptures to the ephemeral statues crafted for modern festivals. This video explores the iconography of the remover of obstacles and the traditions surrounding his celebration.
Ganesha, the Hindu god known for creating and removing obstacles, is represented through diverse artistic traditions. The British Museum display features a schist sculpture carved approximately 800 years ago, which once adorned the exterior of a temple in Odisha, formerly known as Orissa.
In contrast to these permanent stone works, the festival of Ganeshchaturthi in Mumbai involves the creation of temporary statues. These figures are installed in public or domestic shrines for the duration of the festival before being ritually immersed in water.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: The making and worship of Ganesha statues in Maharashtra
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