Overcoming Obstacles

We all face obstacles. The challenge is finding the best way to overcome them. It’s no wonder that one of the most beloved Hindu deities is Ganesha, the powerful elephant-headed god known as “the remover of obstacles.” In India and abroad, many people worship Ganesha during the beginning of new endeavors such as the start of the school year or a new business pursuit, in hopes of keeping the path to success clear of any obscurations that could get in the way. Occurring around the end of summer, Ganesh Chaturthi is a grand celebration honoring Ganesha and his benevolence towards all people.

How long has Ganesha Chaturthi been celebrated? No one is quite sure, but early records show that it was practiced in Pune near the west coast of India since at least the 17th century. Today Ganesha Chaturthi is not only celebrated in India but throughout the world by the many Indians that live abroad. Like most successful events, preparation for Ganesha Chaturthi often begins months in advance. The festival itself lasts around 10 days.

Usually, the celebrations include the installation of temporary Ganesha shrines and sculptures. In private households, families make offerings of flowers and sweets to these statues in the morning and evening. Public events with youth and community organizations include dances, dramatic performances, and music.

The festivities conclude with taking the temporary sculptures of Ganesha and submerging them in a body of water. Traditionally, these sculptures were made out of clay and would dissolve after being placed in the water, representing the continuous cycle of creation and return emphasized throughout Hindu philosophy.

Today most of the clay materials have been replaced by gypsum plaster (also known as plaster of Paris), which makes the sculptures easier to produce. With these new materials, environmental concerns have also grown. Many Indian states have conducted awareness campaigns encouraging people to use clay instead of gypsum plaster. That’s yet another obstacle that Ganesha might help devotees overcome.