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There are a few different stories of why but I will tell you the one I know best. Shiva was off at war and his consort Parvati wanted someone to guard the entrance to there home. Parvati decided to create Ganesha (because she is a goddess she has the power to do this herself) she told Ganesha to guard there home and not let anyone in. When Shiva came back from the war Ganesha did not know who he was and refused to let him in. Shiva became angry and cut off his head. Parvati came running outside extremely sad and upset. She explained to Shiva that it was there son and Shiva ran off to get him a new head. He saw a baby elephant and cut off its head and put it on Ganesha. bThat is why Ganesha has a trunk.

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13y ago
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13y ago

Ganesha is symbolic of the mechanism called Competitive blockade.

Competitive blockade/ Vighna:

If two thoughts try to enter the conscious mind at precisely the same time neither of them nor any other thought can enter the conscious mind. This would result in abolition of all movements, emotions, feelings and thoughts leading to false peace and false self-control.

The secret behind the power of Ganesha:

If the blockade fails then there would be exchange of emotions between the blocking thought and the thought to be blocked.

Thus, the small power we can afford for a task (symbolized by modaka) can be bartered for the mighty power of a socially unacceptable activity.

Thus, Ganesha would enable us to execute a mighty task with very little power.

The byproduct of the blockade:

The socially undesirable activity would get associated with the small power we had for our task (symbolized by modaka). This weakened socially undesirable activity can't find an outlet in the real world. Therefore, it has to be stored in an unwanted part of our mind.

The protruding belly:

Since food is used to symbolize power of undesirable thought stomach is chosen to

represent unwanted part of our mind.

Therefore, the protruding belly of Ganesha is symbolic of the unwanted part of our mind.

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12y ago

Its a Modhaka - An Indian Sweet!

A modak is a sweet dumpling popular in Western and South India. It is called "modak" in Marathi and Konkani, "modhaka" or "kadubu" in Kannada, "modhaka" or "kozhakkattai" in Tamil, and "kudumu" in Telugu.

The sweet filling is made of fresh coconut and jaggery while the shell is of rice flour. The dumpling can be fried or steamed. The steamed version is eaten hot with ghee. Modak has a special importance in the worship of the Hindu god, Ganesha.

Modak is believed to be his favorite food and hence is also known as Modakapriya.

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Q: Why does ganesha have a trunk?
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Which Hindu god is known to children as the elephant god?

That would be Lord Ganesha as he has an elephant's head & trunk for his head.


Why did Rama throw an axe at one of Ganesh's trunks?

This is completely wrong information you have got!Rama never threw axe at Ganesha's trunk.


What is the meaning of Shri Siddhivinayak?

Siddhivinayak is one the name of Hindu god, Lord Ganesha ( elephant God). Lord Ganesha is flank on either side by Shri. Siddhi ( present on his right side) and Shri. Riddhi ( present on his left side). Lord Ganesha has a trunk. If the trunk is directed towards his right side i.e. towards Shri. Siddhi then that Lord Ganesha is referred to as Lord Siddhivinayak. It means right trunked Ganesha is nothing but Lord Siddhivinayak. Traditionally, it has been considered that Lord Siddhivinayak fulfills all the good wishes of his devotees if worshiped from the heart. Also, there is disbelief about Him that He is very strict and fiery. A person or a family who has the idol of Lord Siddhivinayak in his/their home must observe certain rituals properly and routinely. If they fails to do so then they may invite different sorts of troubles. As we know, Lord Ganesha is 'Mangalmurti' ( God of well-being). So, how can he be the God of Trouble? It is His will to turn his trunk either to left or right side. Generally, idols of Lord Ganesha are left trunked and are more commonly worshiped. I think it is due to His favourite food item " Modak". Lord Ganesha holds Modak in His left hand, therefore, He might be turning His trunk towards left side. His right hand is raised to bless His devotees. In the language of chemistry, Lord Ganesha is classical example of structural isomerism i.e. left trunked or right trunked. Instead of considering either of his forms why not worship Him as a whole without going into His structural details. So, why to look at Riddhi and Siddhi, just simply worship 'Lord Buddhinath'. Let Lord Ganesha bestow His blessing upon all of us.


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Ganesha is still powerful!


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Ganesha is spelled the same in French.


When was Trabala ganesha created?

Trabala ganesha was created in 1951.


When was Ganesha Subramanya created?

Ganesha Subramanya was created in 1992.


When was Gauri Ganesha created?

Gauri Ganesha was created in 1991.


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The duration of My Friend Ganesha is 3.17 hours.


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Who s guru of lord ganesha?

guru of Lord Ganesha is his father Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva taught Ganesha everything he knew.


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Godess Gowri is the mother of Lord Ganesha!