Lord Ganesha

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Ganpati Bappa Morya!

Lord Ganesha is one of the most significant and loved Gods of Hinduism/ Sanatan Sanskriti. He is considered as the 'pratham pujya' lord, i.e., he is to be worshipped before worshipping any other God or before the commencement of any auspicious deed.

Most people recognise Lord Ganesha as the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. But, did you know that he also has an identity aside of being the son of Shiv and Shakti!

Lord Ganesha is considered as the supreme Lord according to Ganesh Puran and the supreme Lord Vinayak takes various avtars. Just like Lord Vishnu takes various avtars into the mortal world, Lord Ganesha takes various avtars as the son of the prime Gods or great sages.

In His Mahotkat avtaar in Satyuga he was born to Mahirshi Kashyap and Mother Aditi. In one of his avtars to slay a demon, he was also born as the son of Goddess Lakshmi and Vishnu ji. But the avtar in which he was born to Shiv ji and Parvati ji is His most popular avtar.

Ved Vyas ji once confirmed in his writings that during the marriage of Shiva and Parvati, Ganesha had also come as a guest to attend the divine wedding. This proves of His existence even before being born as their son.

In his various avtaars he has different 'vahanas' or rides. You would be surprised to know that Ganesha took avtars as the son of Shiva and Parvati 3 times! One of them was his 'Mayureshwar' avtar, in which, he rides on a 'mayur' (peacock). The most mind-blowing fact in this avtar is that , it was in this avtar, in which before returning to his 'lok', known as Swanand lok, he gave his peacock to Bhagwan Kartikeya and promised Lord Kartikeya to be born again as his brother in his next avtar. In his very first Mahotkat avtaar, he rides on a Lion. In one of his avatars, he attacks on the Nag Lok and wins over Lord Shesh Nag, and coils Lord Shesh Nag as a belt around his waist. Thereafter, he gives it to Lord Vishnu.

(Photo source: Google)