Gauri and Ganesh

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As Sharavan 5th month of Indian calendar arrives, it welcomes many festivals. Predominantly theses festivals are centered for and by ladies. Shravan month is during mid of monsoon season in India. Sharavan is followed by Bhadrapad both arrive in the rainy season. Rains are either on-peak or it has just been helpful for the growth of the crops.

Indian ladies rejoice this season with various celebrations. Indian celebrations are mostly woven around certain gods or goddesses.  Indian subcontinent is predominantly dependent on farming. Hence their celebrations are dependent on the farming and the harvesting practices.

In Sharavan and Bhadrapada month, Gauri is worshiped in various forms. Let us explore the concept of Gauri, her worship and its relationship with Ganesha.

Gauri in this season is named with different names like Mangala Gauri, Hartalika, Uma, Jyeshtha Gauri, Kanistha Gauri, Ganga and Gauri, Mahalaxmi, Varad Laxmi, Vara-Laxmi, Brihat Gauri (Dorali), Aparna Gauri, Shodash Uma etc.

This is an effort of consolidating the iconography of Gauri worshiped during these two months and its relationship with Ganesha.

Mangala Gauri, Hartalika or Jyeshtha Gauri are forms of Parvati. Who is supposedly mother of Ganesha and consort of Shiva. All forms of Gauri worshiped during Sharan and Bhadrapad are non- fierce. These forms are composed, smiling & prosperous and worshiped by all sects of society and philosophies.

Gauri is representation of fertility; hence one will be able to see the forms of Gauri made during these two months are made out of objects & elements brought from the fertile land.

Hartalika with her sakhi and Shivalinga are made out of clay. Mangalagauri pooja also requires an idol made out of clay. Jyestha Gauri, who is invoked during ganesh festival, has multiple representations which are brought from nature.

In some traditions two Gauri are brought together, they represent Jyestha (elder) and Kanistha (Younger) Gauri, also she is invoked with her entire family like Ganesha, along with one more son and a daughter. In some parts of Maharashtra she is considered as sister of Ganesha. In Vidharbha and Marathwara area they call Gauri as Mahalaxmi, however she is wife of Shiva and has no relationship with Vishnu.

My mother says that two representations of Gauri are 2 wives of Shiva namely Gauri and river Ganga personified. In Kolhapur region Gauri is invoked along with her husband Shiva, one will be able to see Gauri and Shiva statues/ idols made out of clay during this festival.

More south and konkan area Gauri is invoked in form of trees, flowers which are grown in rainy season in areas of Sahyadri. Special shrubs called terada are used. In some traditions riverside stones are brought in form of Gauri and worshiped. In all types of Gauri idols or representations use of grain is necessary. One will see heaps of grains made in front of Gauri.

In Karnataka and Tamil nadu Varalaxmi is worshiped during this season which had similar methods of worshiping. Varalaxmi means one who gives boon.

No matter in which form Gauri is worshiped, she represents nature and she also gets dissolved in nature after visarjan or immersion in water. She is fertility personified as Ganesha is Knowledge and wisdom personified.

We will be able to observe one more thing during ganesh and Gauri poojan, the Prasad or offerings made to all types of Gauri are simple in nature and has all sorts of tastes. Mangalagauri is offered with Rice and dal Khichadi. Jyestha and Kanistha Gauri are offered with jowar or bajara bread and vegetables on 1st day and on 2nd day 16 types of different tasting food are offered.  While bidding adieu they are offered with curd and rice.  Everything which is available in and by nature is used to make offerings (food).

Predominantly Gauri festival is a festival celebrated by female members of family; they play different games and sing songs in memory of Gauri, the goddess of fertility.

May goddess Gauri bring prosperity and happiness in of your life, she is the one who is invoked as “Sarva-Mangal- Mangalye” and”Sarvarth Sadhike” meaning one who showers blessings of happiness over all also one who grants the desires fulfillment.  She is none other than the mother nature who is brought at home worshiped and thanked for her generosity and kindness.

Shri Ganesharpanmastu श्री गणेशार्पणमस्तु

Compiled by: Dr Sandeep Sadanand Chaugule.
You can follow the author on Twitter @sandipchaugulle