Ganesha, Vinayakar, Ganapati, Pillaiyar. He is considered to be the most widely worshipped deities among HIndus,
God of Beginnings.Obstacle remover. Lord of learnings.
Many cars carry a small statuette on their dashboard.
Many journeys are begun with a prayer to the Elephant God.
The one tusked, pot bellied God can be seen framing many stores at their entrance.
We are a country built on blind faith.
Temples are built overnight out of an anthill.
We worship and believe anyone who prophecies good.
WE spend money off flowers and milk to pay homage to our deities,but would deny ourselves small pleasures.
While a engineering student at a premier institute, the neighbourhood ''pillaiyar kovil'' was a hot spot for many.
It was a place where we went before exams to pray for miracles, a place where friends could meet and talk without the piercing eyes of our wardens on us.
A reason for many to talk to the opposite sex without being judged,
Where faith and romance flourished in perfect harmony all with His blessings.
Were they Blessed, Yes
faith along with hard work always pays off!
It came as a surprise to me when people used to stop at stained glass pane on the ground floor of one of the Software firms I worked at. I always wondered what made them stop for a second, touch the glass and continue up the stairs.
Till I had a close look.
My boss, not an overtly religious person, respected the wishes of many others and had commissioned a stained glass painting of the Elephant God. It was unobtrusive and not obvious to many if you did not know where to look.
Smart move! It was a happy organisation, people were a content lot! Work and Fun went hand in hand!
Many years later, I moved to another organisation. They did not hide their religious affiliations.
Royally He sat near the glass doors, not a chance for anyone to miss His presence.
Flowers adorned his pot belly, Oil Diyas were lit through the day. His importance was made known.
Being an early bird to work and a seat with a view, I could see every going and coming at work.
My faith in my beliefs were made stronger watching each arrival.
A predominantly Hindu organisation, where religion was not just a ritual. And Ganesha being non-sectarian makes him even more of a crowd favourite.
They stopped.
Many took their footwear off, prayed to Him.
Some kept their swipe cards in front of him and payed obeisance.
Some stood for a whole minute mouthing some prayer.
One even took the ash from the burning diyas and placed it on his forehead.
One salutes!
This one small act of worship, helps many carry on their day's work with confidence.
They believe.
The day begins. There are no obstacles.
There are learnings.
Even if something should go wrong on a day, never is it attributed to the Ganapathi who resides here.
Such is the power of faith!
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