Saturday, May 4, 2013

Adding A Touch Of The Exotic With Ganesha Sculptures

By Alison Wilcox


Religious imagery is a popular theme for interior design. Some people use objects like Christian crosses or Jewish menorahs as part of their religious rituals. Others simply add these objects to their homes because they're beautiful to look at. For example, many people who aren't Hindu are adding an exotic flavor to their home decor through the strategic placement of Ganesha sculptures.

Ganesha is a Hindu deity. This religion has over a billion adherents, making it the third largest religion in the world today. It's also the oldest religion still being practiced. In addition, it sprouted other religions like Buddhism, the Hare Krishna faith and Jainism and concepts like reincarnation and karma are known to most people, regardless of their faith.

In Hinduism, there are many different deities that people may worship. One of the most popular is Ganesha. It's easy to recognize him since he has the body of a human and the head of an elephant. The reason for this unusual appearance is that when the goddess Parvati created him to guard her chambers, the god Shiva struck off his head and then replaced it with an elephant head to placate the grieving goddess. The elephant god is usually depicted with the mouse he rides on and with one broken tusk. Sometimes he's also shown with four arms.

Ganesha is the lord of obstacles. This means that he will remove those things that block your path but also that he may put them there in the first place if he thinks that you need it in your life's journey. Artists and writers often regard him as a type of patron and he is also representative of intellectual pursuits and wisdom.

Indian art has included depictions of the god for hundreds of years. All over the Indian subcontinent you'll find temples dedicated to him, some of which are very ancient. Nepal, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and other countries with large Hindu populations also have temples especially for this god.

Echoing his original role as Parvati's gatekeeper, the god's image is often placed at the entrance to Hindu temples. The idea is that he will keep out those who are unworthy of entering. Many people also place statues of the god at the entrance to their own homes as a form of protection and good luck. Naturally, practicing Hindus often include the god in their home altars too.

Statues of the god come in different sizes and in variations that will suit every type of budget. If you can afford it, you may want to invest in an antique sculpture. If this is not an option, however, you can find statues made in materials ranging from wood to brass, pewter and even plaster or plastic. Some are big enough to form a striking focal point in your home while others are small so that they can easily fit onto a home altar or bedside table.

It's not difficult to find Ganesha sculptures. In cities where many people of Indian origin congregate, there is usually a shop that sells Hindu religious imagery. There are also many providers who sell their wares online. A great option, however, is to buy your sculpture as a souvenir during a trip to India or another country with many Hindu temples.




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