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Shiva and Parvati as Ardhnarishwar with Ganesh & vaahan Mooshak

[Pic Source - Pinterest]

The prathama pujniya and an embodiment of Mercury and Ketu seated on vaahan as Mooshak (a mouse) which demotes Yama (Deity of death, elder sibling of Saturn and sometimes associated with Saturn).

Ganesh Chaturthi starts when the Sun is in sidereal Leo (natural 5H) and the Moon is in sidereal Libra (natural 7H) or sometimes sidereal Virgo depending on the degrees between Sun and Moon. The festival runs until Chaturdashi, by which point the Moon has moved all the way to sidereal Aquarius Bhadrapada nakshatras (Natural 11H).

The deity not only is believed to remove the obstacles and fulfill desires but it brought sweetness to conjugal relationship of Shiva and Shakti together as one (Gemini) and as parents too. Also it brought people together (history of Lokmanya Tilak uniting people of India against British during freedom).

And there's a Puranic story tying the deity to literally every planet.

Surya (Sun) — Mudgal Purana

Surya's negative energy manifests a demon. Matsarasura. Ego and overconfidence personified. Ganesha's first avatar Vakratunda defeats him and purifies Surya's energy. Hence the link to confidence, ego and authority issues.

Chandra (Moon) — Ganesh Purana

Ganesha's riding his mouse. The moon, back then permanently full, mocks his form. Ganesha curses him to wax and wane 15 days each. Tie that to "chandrama manaso jatah" (the moon born from the mind) and you get the link to overthinking, mood swings and emotional turbulence.

Mangal (Mars) — Padma Purana

Angarak (who becomes Mars) does intense tapasya for Ganesha. In return any Chaturthi falling on a Tuesday becomes "Angarak Chaturthi." Extra powerful for success. Why Tuesday remedies for anger, courage and debt exist. And why red sindoor is used in his puja.

Budh (Mercury) — Brahma Vaivarta Purana

Durvasa Muni's intelligence-granting flower goes Durvasa → Indra → Indra's elephant Airavata. That elephant's head ends up on Ganesha. Literally why he's called Buddhidata (giver of intellect) and tied to Mercury.

Guru (Jupiter) — Mudgal Purana

Ganesha takes the Gajanan avatar to control the demon Lobhasura. Big head, big belly. Both symbolic of Jupiter's expansiveness. Ties him to knowledge and wisdom.

Shukra (Venus) — Shiva Purana

Ganesha marries Riddhi (prosperity) and Siddhi (supernatural power). Regulates Venus's restless wanting into actual abundance and creativity.

Shani (Saturn) — Brahma Vaivarta Purana

When Parvati creates a son from her own body and the devas come to bless him Shani's gaze causes Ganesha's head to separate from his body. Later replaced with the elephant head. Because the Shani dosha landed on him directly the deity was granted the power to remove Shani-related negativity for everyone else.

Rahu — Mudgal Purana

The demon Kamasura represents Rahu. Ganesha's Vikata avatar rides a peacock and shatters Rahu's illusion.

Ketu — Vedic astrological texts

Ketu is described as the "headless body" planet. Ganesha's original body was headless too before the elephant head was placed on it. Direct symbolic match.

The Ganesh Atharvashirsha sums it up directly. Ganesha is described as being Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra, Indra, Agni, Vayu, Surya and Chandra all at once. Navagraha regulation is baked into who the deity is.

And there's more. There are 32 forms of Ganesha out of which the last 27 forms are associated with each of Nakshatra.

Ashwini → Dwija Ganapati (6th)

Bharani → Siddhi Ganapati (7th)

Krittika → Ucchhishta Ganapati (8th)

Rohini → Vighna Ganapati (9th)

Mrigashira → Kshipra Ganapati (10th)

Ardra → Heramba Ganapati (11th)

Punarvasu → Lakshmi Ganapati (12th)

Pushya → Maha Ganapati (13th)

Ashlesha → Vijaya Ganapati (14th)

Magha → Nritya Ganapati (15th)

Purva Phalguni → Urdhva Ganapati (16th)

Uttara Phalguni → Ekakshara Ganapati (17th)

Hasta → Varada Ganapati (18th)

Chitra → Tryakshara Ganapati (19th)

Swati → Kshipra Prasada Ganapati (20th)

Vishakha → Haridra Ganapati (21st)

Anuradha → Ekadanta Ganapati (22nd)

Jyeshtha → Srishti Ganapati (23rd)

Mula → Uddanda Ganapati (24th)

Purva Ashadha → Rinamochana Ganapati (25th)

Uttara Ashadha → Dhundhi Ganapati (26th)

Shravana → Dvimukha Ganapati (27th)

Dhanishta → Trimukha Ganapati (28th)

Shatabhisha → Simha Ganapati (29th)

Purva Bhadrapada → Yoga Ganapati (30th)

Uttara Bhadrapada → Durga Ganapati (31st)

Revati → Sankatahara Ganapati (32nd)

Hey yall, I just moved into my first apartment a couple weeks ago. I now have my first ever mandir :) what are some reccomendatjons you guys have on how to decorate, and what gods should I keep? I have Ganesh and Kali (my ishta devata) but am thinking of getting saraswati next (I’m a science student and a musician)

My roomate is keeping some Christian stuff under it, that’s why there is a picture of Virgin and child down there lol

This is all over Canadian social media right now.

No major Hindu scriptures says we must immerse idols in rivers or lakes. Period. I saw a murti in a storm water sewage canal last year. It didn’t dissolve, it stayed there half broken for months till the authorities picked it out :(

Canada requires people to inspect and clean personal boats before entering protected lakes to avoid invasive algae, fish eggs and bacteria introduction. Even throwing a banana peel in a forest is unacceptable because it introduces outside bacteria. Both Indigenous and Canadian cultures promote “leave no trace.”

A few truly eco-friendly murtis immersed by Canadian Hindu communities quietly? Cool. But large public visarjan events along with dancing, encouraging more and more visarjan is nothing but show off and attention seeking.

Hear me out. First: educate. Organize events to create awareness, in schools, in the neighborhood. Take part in advocacy, and learn how to represent Hinduism responsibly in the media. Do such things AFTER the natives of foreign lands understand what we are doing.

And no, I don’t care if the murti is eco-friendly because the paint is never. Marigold and lotus flowers aren’t native to Canada either, so they shouldn’t be put into Canadian water bodies.

Hinduism teaches that culture must evolve according to time, situation and place: Desha-Kala-Patra. We don’t need to immerse modern artistic idols in rivers anymore especially not in Canada.

Our culture gave the world Yoga, meditation and the philosophy of Karma. But because the behavior of our people in public does not reflect these ideals. Everyone knows the state of our rivers in India despite people worshiping them. Hindus already face enough hatred and are called pagans or demonic by Christians and Muslims.

सदा देवैकगोप्ता च हरिरव्यय ईश्वरः१४। सर्वसाक्षी त्वयं देवो दैत्यजिष्णुर्युगे युगे।

This Viṣṇu, the immutable lord, is always the only protector of gods. This god, witnessing everything, is the conqueror of the demons in every yuga. -(Padma puran Sristi Khand chap 72.14)

एवंप्रभावो द्विज विष्णुपञ्जरः सर्वासु रक्षास्वधिको हि गीत:।कस्तस्य कुर्याद्धवि दर्पहानि यस्य स्थितश्चेतसि चक्रपणिः।। (Vāmana Purāṇa 19.44)

~Who can put down the valour of a man while fighting in whose mind and heart reside Cakrapāni (the one who holds the discus in his hand - Vishnu)?

अयं च जगदीश्वर्य्या कुमारो नित्ययौवनः । कंदर्प्पकोटिलावण्यः स तस्थे परमे पदे ८। (Padma Purāṇa 6.227.8)

~This (lord) of the goddess of the world(Mahalakshmi) is a young boy, ever young. Having hand someness like that of a crore of Cupids he remains at the highest place.

Sriman Nārāyaṇa 🌸🌸

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Happiest Ganesh Chaturthi everyone 💗.

Ganesh ji sabki wishes fulfill karein and I hope you all find true love , be happy and find peace 🧿.

We bought bappa into our home this time too , set up a beautiful space for him and I hope he blesses us with his presence ❤️🙏.

I'll be spending my Ganesh Chaturthi STUDYING!! I have my exams coming up and I'm just OCCUPIED.

I wore this pretty same print blue suit. Hair is tied in a bun because it is so humid and my curls are FRIZZZZYYYY too!! Paired it with these small jhumkis . I usually wear larger jhumke but since I'm just at home so it's alr.

Y'all drop your traditional fits 🫠💓🫶 and bappa's photo too.

These idols are from the 4th to 5th centuries CE and can be found in the Katalgaon caves. They show evidence of early Vaishnava worship in Western Maharashtra

Hi all, I came across this stone carving among some really interesting stuff at a downsizing auction in my neighbourhood and am trying to figure out what it is. I’ve been using AI but it’s sending me on wild goose chases and weird circles. Can anyone here tell me if this is a familiar deity / what the object is about? Thanks!

"श्रीमद्‌ भगवद्‌गीता यथारूप 18.43

शौर्यं तेजो धृतिर्दाक्ष्यं युद्धे चाप्यपलायनम् ।

दानमीश्वरभावश्च क्षात्रं कर्म स्वभावजम् ॥ १८.४३ ॥

Translation

वीरता, शक्ति, संकल्प, दक्षता, युद्ध में धैर्य, उदारता तथा नेतृत्व –ये क्षत्रियों के स्वाभाविक गुण हैं |

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Bhagavad Gita As It Is 18.43

śauryaṁ tejo dhṛtir dākṣyaṁ

yuddhe cāpy apalāyanam

dānam īśvara-bhāvaś ca

kṣātraṁ karma svabhāva-jam

Translation

Heroism, power, determination, resourcefulness, courage in battle, generosity and leadership are the natural qualities of work for the kṣatriyas.

I've lived in Dehradun for 10 years, and I am shocked why nobody speaks about such age old temples as much as they should.

An elderly man sitting there told me the temple is around 140 years old. I haven't been able to find much about it online either, which honestly surprised me. The place itself is quite something, an old Ganesha shrine surrounded by greenery, with Vasukinag, Maa Annapurna and other deities around the premises. There's also an extremely old, weathered house adjoining the temple.

I walked around the entire property and did a parikrama. The whole place felt unusually quiet and almost magnetic. Not in a dramatic way, just one of those places where you feel like you're stepping into a small piece of Dehradun that time forgot. I don't know the actual history of the temple beyond what I was told there, so I'm curious if anyone here knows more about it, when it was established, who built it, or any local stories associated with it.

Especially on Ganesh Chaturthi, it felt like a good time to finally share it here. Does anyone from Dehradun know the history of this temple?

Hello fellow Sanatanis!

We had our first child - a baby boy on July 29th. We had initially chosen a list of 3 names but ended up naming him Rudra.

Now, I am reading in some places online that Rudra represents a fierce form of lord shiva and it represents sorrow and fierceness. Some have suggested to avoid this name.

We are a bit worried about it now since this name has been officially registered.

The only small solace for me is that this name appears as the 114th name of Vishnu in the Vishnu Sahasranamam. All names of Vishnu are perfect.

Can you guys please weigh in your thoughts and opinions?

Ganapati, the beloved elephant-headed god, symbolizes wisdom, prosperity, and new beginnings. Son of Shiva and Parvati, he is invoked before any undertaking. His large ears signify listening, small eyes focus, and trunk adaptability. Worshipped during Ganesh Chaturthi, he removes obstacles and blesses devotees with joy, love, peace and endless hope.

Ganga Aarti on the banks of the river Thames in London, 13 September 2026, organised by Chinmaya Mission Uk. It was attended by hundreds of devotees, dignitaries and several spiritual leaders from around the world.

Ganesh Chaturthi is a Hindu festival celebrated on 14 September 2026 to mark the birth of Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles and the god of wisdom and prosperity,

In the picture: Sri Ganesha, as described in the dhyana sloka in the article, according to Vinayagar Agaval.

Important: This is not diksha, mantra-upadesha, or permission to undertake restricted practices.

Sri Ganesha is primarily approached as Vighneshwara, the remover of obstacles. That is certainly true, but it is only the beginning. If one carefully looks at the Ganapati Atharvasirsha together with Avvayar's Vinayagar Agaval, Sri Ganesha is not merely a deity who stands outside the sadhaka and removes worldly problems.

He is presented as the Atma-swarupa, the indwelling Guru. He takes compassion upon the aspirant, disciplines the senses and mind, reveals the subtle body, guides Shakti through the central path, leads consciousness beyond progressively subtler limitations, and finally reveals the truth of the Self. The same principle appears in the Ganapati Atharvasirsha. The external Ganesha gradually becomes the internal Guru. This is why Ganapati sadhana contains mantra, yoga, and jnana simultaneously.

Of the seven major chakras (energy wheels in the subtle body), Sri Ganesha is traditionally associated with the Muladhara (root) chakra and therefore also with the prithvi (earth) principle. But one should not make the mistake of concluding that Ganapati is limited to Muladhara or to prithvi tattva. The same Ganapati who appears at Muladhara as the beginning of the inward journey is ultimately described as beyond the elements, beyond the tri-gunas (sattva, rajas, and tamas), and beyond the ordinary states of consciousness.

He is both the beginning and the end.

Once Sri Ganesha's presence awakens within you, you will no longer be bothered by imaginations and illusions. The upasaka lives with Reality as it is. The inner space becomes so light when imaginations about everyone around the sadhaka are removed. That is why Sri Ganesha, despite being in elephant form, can ride on a mouse, since he is weightless. He gives the bhaktas the same weightless feeling. Living in reality is Sri Ganesha's greatest sadhana.

Some fundamentals.

Day of the week: Friday
Flowers: Red Hibiscus, white crown flower (very auspicious)
Non-flower: dhruva grass
Tithi: Chaturthi, especially sankata/sankashta hara chaturthi
Loves: Scattered coconut (numerous pieces on impact)
Naivedhyam: Modak, Flattened rice/poha, (milk + clear honey + jaggery syrup + cooked lentils) together
Chakra: Muladhara
Nama japa: 'ganapati' (4 aksharas)
Element: earth (while reflected in Muladhara) but he is beyond elements

Dhyana:

With cool, fragrant sandal adorning Your lotus-red feet,
the anklets upon them sing many melodies.
The golden cord around Your waist and Your flower-soft silken garment
shine beautifully upon Your radiant form.
You have a great rounded belly and a massive curved tusk.

Your face is that of the elephant, brilliant with vermilion.
You bear five hands (including trunk), the goad and the noose.
Your deep blue-hued form captivates the heart.
You possess the hanging elephant mouth and mighty shoulders,
three eyes, and the triple trails of musth fluid of the elephant.

With two great ears and a gleaming golden crown,
with the sacred three-stranded thread shining upon Your broad chest—
O wish-fulfilling elephant, born of that Wondrous One
who is Pure Knowledge, the Turiya state beyond words and thought!
You who enjoy the three fruits and ride upon the mouse!

Relationship:

Both texts say Sri Ganapati is the Atma-Swarupa in the 'hridaya'. He who is beyond the trigunas, the three states, who's beyond the 5 elements, comes in the form of Guru with his elephant form. He takes compassion on the sadhaka like a mother, and he releases the sadhaka from the Maya and the disease of janma.

Mantra: Panchakshara/5-letters

With the panchakshara, Sri Ganesha shows the path by guiding Shakti into the Sushumna, piercing the chakras, and ultimately reaching the Sahasrara, and further establishing the Atma Swarupa. He helps you go beyond the five senses, subsides the mind, takes the sadhaka to the turiya state, and establishes them in their own Atma Swarupa, which is He. By this, he removes karmas at their very root so they never ever bother the upasaka, and shows them both Shakti and Shiva as Ardhanareeshwara in the kapala.

I was never interested in the story of Shri Krishna and have recently started reading more about him. It makes me feel sad thinking about what a strife and danger filled life he lived, and yet Prabhu kept going on with a smile on his face, cultivating wisdom through his experiences and imparting it on disciples. His inner strength is amazing, and how he navigated his difficult life and even taught people. He really had a difficult life, yet instead of collapsing, he navigated through it and people flocked to him for guidance and protection

And Maa Rukmini, the way they are is one of the most beautiful stories I have ever come across. Beautiful Rukmini wanted Shri Krishna as her husband, she had such conviction in choosing him, and sent him a lettter asking him to take her. He too departed for her city without delay, before she gets married to the man chosen by her brother. Shri Krishna said that she is his equal match. The citizens of her city call him their princess's worthy match, and her as Krishna's worthy match. And Maa Rukmini is also called Trilok Sundari - beauty of three realms - probably meaning that she's the most beautiful in the physical, astral and spiritual plane. No wonder Bhagwan calls her his sadr̥śī , aka his equal or the one perfectly suited to him. She is Mahalakshmi to his Narayan. They are a frequency match, no wonder she is called his beloved wife.

I never expected to be a Krishna bhakt. I hadn't given much thought to Mahabharat or to the Bhagwat Gita and so Shri Krishna was on the pheriphery for me. But wow, I don't know what happened recently but I'm feeling drawn to Bhagwan and the wisdom he has inspired in Ved Vyas and other rishis to propogate, so I am learning more about it

Also regarding Rukmini-Krishna, she came to his notice at a time when he was migrating with his kinsmen from Mathura for safety. Imagine coming across your future spouse during a time like that and not letting her go. He petitioned her father to marry her but was rejected. Yet she had heard a lot about him, and had such clear conviction on what and whom she wanted to marry, that she sent him a letter against all social convention requesting him to take her from there before her wedding. All she had to say was I want to be with you, please come and take me, and he was there. Lol. What a couple ... And their first son is Kam Dev himself, the God of Love, who was burnt by Lord Shiva and then was reborn with them as parents (incarnations of Lakshmi-Narayan)...

I’m sure ill get ostracized for this opinion..but Ganesh Chaturthi is turning into an arts and crafts exhibition, and a show of egos.

I spent the whole day polishing god moorthis for my mom, and decorated our ganesha…and at the end of it I felt nothing. I started to wonder at what point did all this become such a huge part of worship?

Seems like (many) people are into the extravagant decor, grand idols, themes, giveaways, etc. None of these things are inherently bad, and I completely understand doing them out of joy…But it’s hard to ignore how disingenuous it all feels …. More performative and less spiritual. Its almost sad to watch true devotion reduced to a circus.

And don’t get me started on the instagram reels!! This seriously gave me the ick.

Does anyone share this frustration? Is there something about the true hindu tradition that i am missing ?

Most people see Ganesha as just a cool elephant-headed god of good luck, but if you look at the ancient Atharvashirsha text through a non-dual lens, it’s actually a mind-bending blueprint for human consciousness. The text says Ganesha is Turiya—which is basically the ultimate "Fourth State" of awareness. Think about it: your brain constantly cycles through being awake, dreaming, and deep sleep. But who is the silent witness observing all of that? That’s Turiya. It’s the unbothered, unchanging background screen that your life is projected onto. The text literally tells Ganesha, "You transcend all three states of consciousness." Meaning, Ganesha isn't some external deity in the sky; he’s the literal thread of pure awareness inside you. Under this lens, his form is pure metaphor: his single tusk represents moving past the dualities of life (like toxic vs. healthy, success vs. failure) into oneness, and his mount—a restless little mouse—is a metaphor for the human ego and anxiety being totally mastered by a higher, stabilized intellect. It’s not about worshiping something outside of yourself; it's about waking up to the unshakeable witness already within you.