Ganesh is the deity who creates and removes obstacles that guide an individual towards a spiritually evolved life. This Deva grants success, prosperity, abundance, inner joy and intelligence. Ganesh is the Deva of beginnings and doorways; hence his blessings are sought ahead of all undertakings and milestones. In addition to his centrality in worldly life, Ganesh’s blessings are sought by those seeking to approach other Devas or deepen their spiritual exploration.
Though popularly regarded as the son of Shiva and Parvati, in the Ganapatya tradition, Ganesh is viewed as the ultimate Godhead and supreme deity. Today; Shulka Chaturthi (4th moon phase following the new moon) in the month of Bhadrapada, is the most sacred day in the year for worshipping Ganesh. This festival can be observed for a single day or extended for up to 10 days. Ganesh is associated with Prithvi Tattva (the earth element) and hence his image is specially prepared from clay for this festival and later immersed into water.
About the image: 11th-century Ganesh from Northern Bangladesh is now housed in the Ethnological Museum Berlin. This 8-armed Ganesh in a dancing pose reflects the style of sculpture that flourished under the Pala Dynasty which ruled Bengal between the 8th and 13th centuries. Under the Palas, both Hindu and Buddhist traditions flourished in Bengal, and this is reflected in the finesse and exceptional beauty of the sculptures from this period. The latest wave of attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh is part of an ongoing genocide. This ancient Ganesh sculpture is a defiant reminder of Bangladesh’s rich and ancient history that is rooted in Dharma, a history that extremists are seeking to erase.