They are beautifully decorated & depict Lord Ganesh in various poses, colours themes. Potters and their clan plan the making of Ganesh Idols, 2-3 months prior to Ganesh Chaturthi, life-like clay models of Lord Ganesha are made for sold by specially skilled artisans. Ganesha Chaturthi as a National Festival “to bridge the gap between the Brahmins and the non-Brahmins and find an appropriate context in which to build a new grassroots unity between them” in his nationalistic strivings against the British. In 1893, Lokmanya Tilak, an Indian nationalist, social reformer and freedom fighter Tilak chose Ganesha as a rallying point for Indian protest against British rule because of his wide appeal as “the god for Everyman”.
Thus Shiva blessed him as the most knowledgeable and the winner of the race. But Ganesha, went circling round Shiva and Parvati three times, as he considered them as the world. Subramanya on his peacock, set out to win the race. Hence a race is set to around all the world thrice, who ever comes first is the winner, would get the mango. Ganesha and Subramanya, who happened to be there fight for the mango. Once Narada meets Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi in Kailash. Ganesha has a mouse as his Vahana (vehicle). Ganesha was furious and his cursed him that any who sees the Moon on his birthday would be cursed. The Moon or Chandra found it hilarious and laughed at Ganesha. He picked up a snake on the way and tied it to his stomach as a belt. His stomach was so big he was unable to walk. It is said that Ganesha fond of Modakas ate too many of them.
There are many stories related to Lord Ganesha, on Ganesha Chaturthi, one should not see the Moon. She took on the form of the Goddess Kali and threatened destruction to the three worlds of Heaven, Earth and the subterranean earth. Pavarti emerged to find Ganesha decapitated and flew into a rage. Shiva, enraged by Ganesh’s impudence, took his trident (Trishul) and cut off Ganesha’s head. Ganesha stopped Shiva from entering Parvati’s chamber. Ganesha and Shiva did not know each other. In the meantime, Lord Shiva returned from the battle. She then set him to stand guard at her door and instructed him not to let anyone enter. Parvati created Ganesha out of the sandalwood paste that she used for her bath and breathed life into the figure. She had no one to guard the door to her house, she conceived of the idea of creating a son who could guard her. According to the legend, Lord Shiva, the Hindu God of resolution, was away at a war. Significance of Ganesha FestivalĪccording to the Holy Hindu scriptures, Lord Ganesha or Ganapati (the names mean “Lord of Ganas”, Ganas are the worshipers of Lord Shiva. His motto is Shubh-Laabh (good prospect and good prosperity). Lord Vinayaka is revered as the preserver of all good things and prevents Vigna (meaning obstruction/bad omen).