The Ganpatya cult originated as a sect that worshipped Ganapati as the supreme being. Over time, Ganapati transitioned from a malevolent deity to a benevolent one as his cult grew in popularity in South India. The cult reached its peak in the 10th century CE. Key beliefs included extolling Ganapati as the creator, sustainer, and destroyer and as a patron of wisdom. Sacred texts like the Ganesh Purana outlined rituals like offering sweets. Ganapati's concept evolved from being associated with Rudra to being seen as the remover of obstacles. His worship spread historically and various sub-sects arose with differences in worship styles and the forms of Ganapati

1. BA III Sem
Ganpatya Cult
By
Prachi Virag Sontakke

2. Introduction
• Sect that worships Ganapati as the supreme being.
• Originally a malevolent deity who later became benevolent as he became more prominent and
his cult grew
• South India: very successful cult. Worshipped along with Matradevi.
• At its apex during 10th cent CE
• Association of Ganesh with shakti and Tantra.
• Rise of sub sects too later due to ideological differences within the cult regarding the mode of
worship.
• The images of Ganesh : Asina (seated), Sthanaka (standing) and Nrutya (dancing)

3. Main beliefs
• Extoll Ganesha as the highest god: Creator, Sustainer and Destroyer of this world.
• Additionally, He is also the God of Intellect and Wisdom.
• A patron of Letters and the Arts.
• Parbrahma: 32 forms of Ganesh
• Concept of Ganesh incarnation: as Vishnu, Brahma, Shiva
• Known as Mahavishnu, Mahashiva, Mahabrahma
• Sacred texts: Ganesh Purana, Mudgalapurana,Ganesha Gita
• Agni Purana: Worship by offering installing Ganesh murti, chanting of special mantras,
and offering sweets to him.

4. Development of concept of Ganapati: Stage I
• Rgveda: Ganpati, Ekdant, Vkratund.
• Rgveda: Maruta is called as Gana of Rudra
• Yajurveda: Ganas worship Rudra.
• Yajurveda & Taitiriya Brahman: Mooshak associated
with Rudra
• Atharvashiransa Upanishad: Rudra = Vinayaka
Initially Rudra
was Ganapati

5. Development of concept of Ganapati: Stage II
• Vedic literature: Ganas were mischievous fuss creating beings of Bhoot-Pishaach
category who were subdued by Rudra
• Guhyasutra: Ganapati is obstruction & trouble personified.
• He brings nightmares and misfortunes.
• Due to him, maidens don’t get good grooms, Kings don’t get kingdoms and
scholars don’t get respect.
• Baudhyayan sutra: Praises Ganapati but still prays to stay away from worshippers.
• Varah Purana: Ganapati is one who creates hurdles in good deeds. He was created
by Shiva on special request of Yam
• Agni Purana: Ganapati was created by holy Trinity to create hurdles.
Ganapati as
Vighnakarta

6. Development of concept of Ganapati: Stage III
• Matsya Purana: Ganapati was son of Parvati.
Brahma made him the master of Vinayakas.
• Linga Purana: Ganpati is Vighnaharta = one who
clears the obstacles.
• Association with Shiva becomes quite defined
and clear.
• Traits associated with Rudra/Shiva were
transferred to Ganapati.
Ganapati as
Vighnaharta

7. Ganesh worship in Historical period
• Mathura : Ganesha sculpture dating back to around 4th Century CE
• Udaygiri Cave no. 6: Ganesh sculpture
• Siva temple at Bhumara dated to the sixth century CE: Ganesha sculpture
• Bhandarkar: 5th to 8th cent CE : Bhavabhuti’s Maltimadhava mentions worship of Ganapati
• Odisan temples: Ganesh for the first time appeared in 7th century CE
• Ellora Caves.
• Ghatiyara pillar Inscription of 852 CE: Refers to worship of Ganesh.
• Ganesha Sculptures
• Ganesha in association with Saptamatrukas, Shakti

9. Ganesha: Udayagiri Cave no. 6 Ganesh: Shiva temple, Bhumara

10. Parashurameshwar
temple, Odisa Ellora

11. Sub sects of Ganpatya sect
• Shankardigvijay by Anandgiri: 6 subsects of Ganpatya
1. Maha Ganapatya: Red in color. Traditional method of worship.
Worship of Ekdant form. Worshipped along with Devi
2. Haridra Ganpatya: Yellow in color, possessed a third eye and had four
arms. Followers wore an emblematic diagram of his head with a
broken tusk on their arms as a mark of identity and devotion
3. Navanita Ganpatya: Of soft nature
4. Svarna Ganpatya: Of golden form
5. Sant Ganpatyai: Of peaceful form. and accepted Ganesha as the
supreme lord and creator of all.
Followed the
right handed
method of
worship

12. 6. Uchchhishta Ganpatya
• Arose as a result of Kaulacharis of Shakta cult.
• Worship of 5 headed Heramb form of Ganesh.
• The deity is worshipped when the devotee is in the Uchchhishta ("ritually impure") state,
that is, nude or with remnants of food (Uchchhishta) in his mouth
• Worshiped along with sensuous Kamini.
• Mode of worship included satisfying all sensual needs.
• Does not believe in caste and varna distinctions.
• Also associated with six rituals of abhichara (uses of spells for malevolent purposes)
• The Kanchi Ganesh shrine within the Jagannath Temple, Puri houses the icon of
Uchchhishta Ganapati

14. Ganesh in Panchdevopasana
विष्णु शिि
िक्ति सूर्य
गणेि

15. Ganesh and Shakti
• Vinayaki or Ganeshvari
• Saptamatrikas
• Shakti

16. Ashtavinayaka
Morya Gosavi: a prominent saint of the
Hindu Ganapatya sect (13th-17th cent CE)
Ashtavinayaka yatra: A pilgrimage to the
eight Hindu temples in Maharashtra state
of India that house eight distinct idols of
Ganesh

17. Ganesha in Art