Thursday, May 2, 2013

Adding A Touch Of The Exotic With Ganesha Sculptures

By Alison Wilcox


Religious imagery is a popular theme for interior design. Some people use objects like Christian crosses or Jewish menorahs as part of their religious rituals. Others simply add these objects to their homes because they're beautiful to look at. For example, many people who aren't Hindu are adding an exotic flavor to their home decor through the strategic placement of Ganesha sculptures.

Hinduism is a major world religion. In India alone, more than a billion people are devotees. Its ancient origins make it probably the oldest of the world religions too. The faith's central concepts like karma and the idea of reincarnation have also been the roots of other faiths, including Jainism, Buddhism and the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, also known as the Hare Krishnas.

Hinduism has many gods and goddesses, of which Ganesha is one of the most important. His elephant head makes him easy to identify, even to non-Hindus. One of the stories about how he got his head is that he was created to guard the entrance to the goddess Parvati's chambers. When her husband Shiva couldn't enter, he chopped off the boy's head. Parvati was inconsolable and so Shiva gave the buy a new head, which happened to be that of an elephant. The elephant god is often depicted with a broken tusk and also with a mouse, which is the animal he prefers to ride.

Ganesha is known especially as the remover of obstacles. However, if you need it, he may place obstacles in your path instead. He also represents wisdom and the intellect and is a kind of patron saint of writers and artists.

As early as the fourth century, the god has appeared in Indian works of art. There all temples in his honor all over India. Other countries where many Hindus are found also have similar temples, including in Nepal, Malaysia, Mauritius, Sri Lanka and even as far afield as Canada, the United States, Britain and South Africa.

Since he was originally a gatekeeper, it's quite common to find depictions of the god at the gates or doors to Hindu temples to control who may go in. This is also why many people place him near the door to their own home to act as protector. He is said to bring good luck too. In addition, devout Hindus usually have a small statue of the god on their home altar.

Statues of the god come in different sizes and in variations that will suit every type of budget. If you can afford it, you may want to invest in an antique sculpture. If this is not an option, however, you can find statues made in materials ranging from wood to brass, pewter and even plaster or plastic. Some are big enough to form a striking focal point in your home while others are small so that they can easily fit onto a home altar or bedside table.

You'll find Ganesha sculptures without having to put in too much effort. They make a great souvenir of a trip to one of the countries where Hinduism is practiced, especially India. If you can't travel overseas, you may also find a shop selling Hindu idols in a city near you where there is a large Hindu population. Alternatively, simply order your sculptures online.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment