Pictorial Report Ganesh Chaturthi 2017: Hand Sculpted Lord Ganesha Statues

During the 2016 Ganesha Chaturthi Festival, we saw only one artisan creating hand sculpted statues of Lord Ganesha on the streets of Tiruvannamalai. But this year there has been a veritable profusion of able artisans crafting beautiful hand made statues of Lord Ganesha. 

The statues below took between 45 mins to an hour to create. The cost came to about 3 times that of the moulded variety of Lord Ganesha, but were popular and there was no lack of devotees eager to purchase these special statues.

This is my favourite statue. Looks like a child reaching out to its parent. Very sweet!!

I love you Mama! Pick me up, I want a hug.

Notice the mouse in-between the statues legs

This year a profusion of artisans on the streets of Tiruvannamalai

Great to see so many young artisans doing this work

Lovely detail on some of the statues

Many villagers from outlying areas have come to Tiruvannamalai for the 2017 Ganesha Chaturthi Festival preparations

Finishing off a statue

Pictorial Report Ganesh Chaturthi 2017: Darshan

Below a selection of beautiful Lord Ganesha statues in Shrines and specially created Pandals during the 2017 Arunachala Ganesha Chaturthi Festival, giving their darshan to devotees. 

Pictorial Report Ganesh Chaturthi 2017: Fruits and Flowers

The busy Thiruvoodal Street blocked off to traffic

Car Street filled with traders and merchants for the Festival

Car Street selling fruits for the busy Festival season

Flowers for sale on Car Street

Fruit stalls on Thiruvoodal Street

Thiruvoodal Street near the Fruit and Vegetable Market

Lots of Wood Apple and Corn on the Cob

Above seller with Ganesha Chaturthi necessities!

The above photograph shows the unique flower used during this festival i.e., Calotropis Gigantea, which grows abundantly as a weed throughout this area. This purple flower also known as Milkweed (Arka or Erukku), is plucked from the bush and used to create garlands for Lord Ganesha. It is believed that one who worships Ganesha with this flower will be free of all ailments and disease. 

Another particular plant used in worship to Lord Ganesha at this special time is Durva Grass. It is believed that one earns the grace of Lord Ganesha by offering this sacred grass during this Festival. 

The fruit is the Wood Apple which is especially loved by Lord Ganesha and used in offerings to Him.

Wood Apples (which are much loved not only by Ganesha but by all Elephants)

Jasmine and Samandi flowers at the marketplace

Many villagers come into town for the festival to make and supply the necessities for a well celebrated Ganesha Chaturthi

Handsome umbrellas for devotee's puja rooms

Statues of Lord Ganesha evident throughout Tiruvannamamalai

Different types of paraphernalia needed for a well decorated Lord Ganesha

As well as fruits, flowers and other necessities, devotees crowd the marketplace to purchase their statute of Lord Ganesha

Above lad has purchased his golden Ganesha made by mould

Pictorial Report Ganesh Chaturthi 2017: Statues for Sale

In earlier posts about Ganesha Chaturthi, I posted an explanation of this Festival and legends on Lord Ganesha. Please view this link here and here.

The next several postings are all connected with certain aspects of the Tiruvannamalai preparation and festivities in celebration of this most popular Festival. 

Once a statue is selected, the purchaser generally covers the statue's face while transporting it to its specially created local pandal.

The face of the statue remains covered until Ganesha Chaturthi Puja. 

This year several centres in Tiruvannamalai were created to display large statues of Lord Ganesha available for purchase.

 

 

 

Statue of Lord Ganesha has been selected and moved to a transport vehicle

Notice Lord Ganesha's covered head in the above photograph

As well as many larger statues, smaller statues for puja rooms are also available

Rows and rows of Lord Ganesha

 

Happy 2017 Ganesh Chaturthi

Today, Friday August 25 is the first day of the Ganesh Chaturthi Festival, the birthday of Lord Ganesha. Chaturthi always starts on the 4th day of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapada (August-September).

Mushikavaahana modaka hastha,

Chaamara karna vilambitha sutra,

Vaamana rupa maheshwara putra,

Vighna vinaayaka paada namasthe

“SALUTATIONS to Lord Ganesha who is Brahman Himself, who is the Supreme Lord, who is the energy of Lord Shiva, who is the source of all bliss, and who is the bestower of all virtuous qualities and success in all undertakings.”

HAPPY  2017 GANESH  CHATHURTHI

Swami Sivananda Recommends:

”On Ganesh Chaturthi, meditate on the stories connected with Lord Ganesha early in the morning, during the Brahmamuhurta period. Then, after taking a bath, go to the temple and do the prayers of Lord Ganesha. Offer Him some coconut and sweet pudding. Pray with faith and devotion that He may remove all the obstacles that you experience on the spiritual path. Worship Him at home, too. Have an image of Lord Ganesha in your house. Feel His Presence in it.

Don’t forget DO NOT LOOK AT THE MOON on this day; remember that it behaved unbecomingly towards the Lord. This really means avoid the company of all those who have no faith in God, and who deride God, your Guru and religion, from this very day.

Take fresh spiritual resolves and pray to Lord Ganesha for inner spiritual strength to attain success in all your undertakings.”

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However we decide to celebrate this Ganesha festival, lets all try to remember to keep everything as eco friendly as possible and avoid the dreadful pollution and environmental damage caused by Plaster of Paris idols and chemical paints. For help in understanding the environmental impact of this Festival and what we can do to help go to this link here.

The Festival ends with the immersion of the idol on Ananta Chaturdasi Day (this year Monday, September 4, 2017).

“On that day, statues of the God will be taken through the streets in a procession accompanied with dancing, singing, and fanfare to be immersed in a river, sea, lake or water tank symbolizing a ritual see-off of the Lord in his journey towards his abode in Kailash while taking away with him the misfortunes of his devotees, this is the ritual known as Ganesh Visarjan”.

[Swami Shivananda]

Anant Chaturdashi is performed on the fourteenth day (Chaturdashi) of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapad.

Anant Chaturdashi has two main significances. The first is that on this day is that it is the day of the immersion of  Lord Ganesha. On this day, the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi comes to an end, the installed Murti's of the Elephant God are taken to a lake, river or a sea in procession and immersed in the waters. Thus Lord Ganesha is departed, only to be welcomed the next year with equal excitement.

The second reason for Anant Chaturdashi is that on this day people recite and listen to the stories and legends of God Vishnu who is Anant, the infinite and recite hymns from the Vedas. This is sometimes also called Ananta Vrat.