Lord Ganesha of Shamlaji temple meets you in various forms. The most popular deity of Hindus looks beautiful with his huge stomach, his long trunk, his big ears and his kind eyes. Known as the Elephant God to the western world, Lord Ganesha is the rank one deity in Puja and known as deity of good omen.
Shamlaji temple is ornamented with sculptures on it’s pillars, walls, domes and shikhara. Among numerous other gods and goddesses depicted in carvings all around, Lord Ganesha attracts your attention.
Mushaka, the mount, of Lord Ganesha is always accompanied with god in almost all the sculptures.
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Lord Ganesha is presented as a family person with his family, his wives – Riddhi and Siddhi at many instances here. His Gajanan form is special mention. Gajanan means the one with huge stomach. While Gajanan seating with his consort along with his mount, Mushaka – the mouse, in good mood, he carries Danda, the rod of punishment, in his hand. It shows the balance the god brings between and love and punishment.
Gajanan’s consort is sitting on the lap of the god, looking with love in the eyes of her god.
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Dancing Ganesha reminds me an amazing sculpture from Halebidu in Karnataka. Lord Ganesha is in the form of Ekdanta – with one tusk. Axe, Danda and the Tusk in hands of Ganesha who is dancing gives seriousness along with the fun.
Lord Ganesha’s ganas also joined him in the divine dance with music instruments. Even with huge body, the way Ganesha is posed in dancing shows his flexibilities and abilities to do elegant tasks as well.
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Read more about Sculptures of Shamlaji: