Tantrism and cults of Ganesh in Hinduism

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Some Ganesh temples

Prayers addressed to the deity Ganesh take place in connection with certain rituals (Puja), as well as prayers to other great gods such as Shiva or Vishnu. But beyond that, every call to any god, whoever he is, must be preceded by an invocation of the god Ganesh. In fact, the role of God Ganesh as an advocate seems to be known everywhere, anytime.

 

It should be mentioned that there is a Ganesh temple in Paris. The address is:

72 Rue de Philippe de Girard, 75018, PARIS
Tel 0140342189
Open every day from 9:30 to 20:30.

Website

 

Anyone in India can test these temples dedicated to the god Ganesh, the main deity, who are less numerous than expected.

 

 

We give the name and place for some of them. These attract crowds, especially at religious festivals, such as theGanesha-Chaturthi [God Ganesh Birthday, celebrated August-September (the date is variable as it is based on the lunar calendar)]. Ganesha Chaturthi Ganesha Chaturthi is an opportunity for many joys and parades in which statues of the god are shown throughout the city to a large crowd. The most famous of these festivities takes place in Bombay (Mumbai).

 

➳ The Manakkula-Vinâyaka-temple in Pondichery (Tamil Nadu)

➳ The Pillaiyarpatti-temple (60 km east of Madurai, Tamil Nadu)

➳ The Temple of Uchhi-Pillaiyar in Tiruchirappalli (Tamil Nadu)

➳ The small Ganesh-temple, where the divine form is known as Naramukha Ganapati, Chidambaram (Tamil Nadu)

➳ The Mukkuruni-Pillaiyar-temple, within the important Minakshisundareshvara-temple in Madurai (Tamil Nadu)

➳ The small Sveta-Ganapati-temple (White Ganesh carved into a monolithic sepiolite block), inside the Shiva-temple in Tiruvalanjuli, near Swamimalai (Tamil Nadu)

➳ Many rock temples, excavated in Pandya time, all in the Tamil Nadu region

➳ The Ganesh temple in Ranthambore, neat Sawai Madhopur (Rajasthan)

➳ The Ganesh temple in Jaipur (Rajasthan)

➳ etc.

 

The temples (mandir), called Ashta Vinayaka, which are eight Vinayaka («Great Chief», name for several gods who have the power to dispel the difficulties, such as Garuda and especially Ganesh.) In Buddhist mythology, Vinayaka was a demon, used to create obstacles for the spiritual seekers to deviate from the Nirvana path. In fact, this ancient meaning has developed and Ganesh became a protector of the Dharma for all Buddhist people: powerfully standing in the temple entrance, he expels the evil demons and giving help to the faithful in their prayers, as well as other dreadful deities are also well known in the Maharashtra region, as they are independent gods statues of Ganesh. These are found in the following locations, not far from Pune (Poona) city:

 

➳ Morgaon: The people here worship Ganesh under his form as Lord Shri Mayureshvar. This ganesh form, riding on a peacock, fights and defeats a river.

➳ Siddhatekgaon: Here Ganesh gives the necessary power to subdue two terrible demons, Madhu and Kaitabha, to Vishnu.

➳ Paligaon: Ganesh comes in his form as Ballaleshvar and helps Ballala, one of his most faithful worshipers, persecuted by jealous persons.

➳ Mahad: Ganesh, in his form as Shri Varad favored Vinayaka Grusmad, which allowed him to become a Rishi.

➳ Theorgaon (or Theur): Here is the Ganesh Chintamani Temple. This form of God Ganesh covers the Chintamani Jewel (sacred jewel that fulfills all wishes), which was stolen by the demon Guna from the sage Kapila.

➳ Lenysdri: The Ganesh Temple located in this village is dedicated to Shri Girijatmaj, a form of Ganesh whose name means «born of the goddess Girija (Parvati)». A local legend reports that Ganesh probably spent the first fifteen years of his life with his mother.

➳ Ojhar: In his form as Ganesh Vighneshvara, Ganesh fought here the demon Vighnasura-obstacle-devil), who disturbed the Vedic rituals.

➳ Ranjangaon: Lord Shiva simply fought (and conquered) under his Tripurantaka form (famous Shiva depiction of the Great God fighting demons. During this mystic time the three cities of (Tri-pura) ꟷ the paradise, the heavens and the earth ꟷ are dominated by demonic forces. Shiva came with his chariot, Brahma was the coachman. Receiving help from all the gathered gods, Shiva destroyed the three cities with a single arrow and brought peace back to earth), the Tripurasura demon who had conquered the Three Worlds and abused his enormous powers because he worshiped Ganesh before the battle.

 

In addition, all or almost Shiva temples include Ganesh symbols in secondary temples (within the main temple) or at least in certain shrines: for example, in Chidambaram, Vellore, Gangaikondacholapuram, etc. On the other hand, Vishnu temples usually have no Ganesh schrine.