Many faces of Ganesha

Exploring the deity's iconographic history

- Rakesh More

Lord Ganesha is a fascinating deity, adorned with many forms, symbols, and traditions. The stories, legends, and hymns associated with him continue to captivate people's hearts. He is not merely a god but the embodiment of intellect, success, and the arts. Each of his forms conveys a unique message, making his narrative truly special and distinct.

These days, bookings for Ganesha idols start two to three months in advance. Everyone wants to bring home an idol that perfectly matches their preference. In many public celebrations, Ganesh mandals compete to have the most unique and grand idol. We see idols of Ganesha seated on a horse, a fish, or a swan, or depicted in the form of 'Malhar' or 'Krishna'. Some idols even show him dressed as Lokmanya Tilak, Sai Baba, or a police officer.

But in this race for novelty, do we ever consider what constitutes the 'true' or traditional form of Ganesha's idol according to scripture?

Roots of iconography Ancient texts, including the Puranas, Vedic literature, and the Ganapatya sect's traditions, provide detailed descriptions of how Ganesha's idol should be sculpted. While the Vedas do not directly mention Ganesha, they do use the word 'gana' (meaning a group or multitude). However, the Puranas and Upanishads offer explicit references to him. The Ganesha Purana, Mudgala Purana, and Ganesha Atharvashirsha contain extensive descriptions of his various forms and birth stories. The famous legend of Ganesha acting as a scribe for sage Vyasa while writing the Mahabharata highlights his status as the deity of knowledge. However, many scholars believe this story was added to the epic at a later time.