for students of Sem 3, BHU

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