Ganesa Worship Part 4

If not for Ganesa, we would not be having the Thevaram Hymns.  The Thevaram Hymns are part of a collection of Saivite Holy literature. The Thevaram hymns were composed on Lord Siva by the saints Appar, Sambandhar, and Sundarar. Sundarar was the last of the three authors.  After Sundarar ascended to Thiru Kaiyilayam, the hymns were safely kept in a safety vault in the Nataraja Temple of Cithambaram and forgotten. But a few Thevaram hymns were sung in temples here and there.

After about ten generations later, Raja Raja Cholza became the emperor of South India and Ceylon. He was an ardent Saivite. He heard the few extant Thevaram hymns, but could not find the rest of them.

There was a boy called Nambi Aandaar Namb, in a place called Thiru Naaraiyur. In that place, is a temple for Ganesa, who is known there as the "Pollaa Pillaiyaar". Ganesa performed several miracles to Nambi, and Nambi could talk with Him.  So Raja Raja asked him to help find the Thevaram hymns. Nambi in turn appealed to Ganesa, and Ganesa revealed the secret place where the hymns were stashed away.  Raja Raja and Nambi went to Chidambaram, located the place, and found the Thevaram hymns. With the help of Ganesa, the melody or Pan for each Thevaram hymn was also found out from a woman.  Nambi went on to compile the first eleven sections of the Saivite Holy Books called the Thiru Murai.  

Raja Raja took great measures to spread the Thevaram and have them sung regularly in all the Siva temples. He himself made a shrine of Siva called "Thevara Devar" and offered personal worshipto Him with Thevaram hymns.

The important festival for Ganesa is the Vinayaka Chathurthi. This comes on the 4th day of Sukla Paksha, in the month of vani(Sravana) - September/October. This is the day that Vinayaka took Avatara. Just as Vishnu has ten avataras or incarnations, Ganesa has sixteen avataras.

Among the Virathas, Chathurthi Viratha, Sankatahara Chathurthi Viratha, Ganesa Shashti Viratha, and Velli Viratha are important.  The Sankatahara Chaturthi Viratha occurs during the fourth day of the They Pirai or Krishna Paksha, every month. Every year, we have the Maha Sankatahara Chathurthi.The viratha starts before sun-rise and lasts until moon-rise just before mid-night. This is observed in order to overcome difficulties and problems. People suffering from the bad effects of Moon or Mars can perform this viratha. 

There are thirty-two forms of Ganesa. Each one of them have their own Mantras, Slokas, Sthothras, and rituals. Each one is worshipped following a specific method, for very specific purposes.  Some of the forms are Sakthi Ganapathi, Maha Ganapathi, Siddhi Ganapathi, Lakshmi Ganapathi, Bala Ganapathi, Heramba Ganapathi, Bakthi Ganapathi, Vira Ganapathi, Uchchishtta Ganapathi, Vigna Ganapathi, and Sankata Naasana Ganapathi.

Ganesa can be worshipped in many ways. There are elaborate homas, pujas, etc. But at the same time Ganesa worship can be the simplest of all.  Ganesa statue can be installed under a tree and He can be worshipped straight away. A figure of Ganesa can be moulded by hand, with clay, cow-dung, flour, turmeric powder, or sugar and a very simple puja can be performed . He can be worshipped with Arugu grass, Nandi Avarththam flowers, Bilva, and Vanni leaves. He likes sweet fruits. Special among them are the Wood-Apple, Mango, Pomegranate, Naaval, Bananas, and Jack-fruit. Milk, Honey and Sugar-syrup are also favourite offerings. Chundal nuts, Green Grams, Kolzukkattai, Modhakam, and Paayasam are also His favourites. Juice of sugar-cane is offered in some special types of worship. Panchamirtham also is very much liked, just as His brother, Muruga.

Ganesa's favourite Bali is the shattering of coconuts. This is known as "Sidharu Kaay".  Ganesa likes very simple, straight-forward, honest, and dedicated Bhakthi.