How the mouse became Lord Ganesha’s vehicle

उंदीर आला ! (a mouse/rat has come!) ~ hearing this, it is not surprising that everybody runs around, trying to get away from this pest. This very pest, though, is the mount of Lord Ganesha and you will always find a mouse at the foot of a Ganapati idol, quietly sitting there. Many temples of Lord Ganesha also have a sculpture of a mouse in front of the temple gates, signifying the mouse as a guardian (one example: the Ganapati Moreshwar temple). 

Do you know why the mouse, considered to be something really horrid, is Ganapati's vehicle ?

Why Durva is offered to Lord Ganesha

Devotees of Lord Ganesha are well aware that 21 durva (दुर्वा) are offered to the Ganapati idol during worship. However, few really know the reason why this durva is offered. There is an interesting mythological legend which tells the reason.

21 Durva offering proclamations during Ganapati puja

Durva (दुर्वा) is a sacred grass offered to an idol during worship. The 3-leaved durva (ideally it should be 3 but 5-leaved can also be offered) is one of the most important offerings made during Ganapati puja. In fact, during the Ganapati puja, 21 durva have to be offered (do you know why? read here). Before offering, each durva is dipped in a pot of water and thrown towards/placed on the idol. However, no durva should be put against or on the idol's face. As each durva is offered, an utterance or proclamation (उच्चार) is made. The उच्चार are as follows...

Visiting Siddhivinayak Siddhatek Temple on Ashtavinayak yatra

After paying obeisance at the Ganapati temple in Moreshwar, the next temple on the Ashtavinayaka yatra is the Siddhivinayaka temple at Siddhatek. From Morgaon the distance to Siddhatek is 82kms. This town is located on the banks of the river Bhima. 

Aadhaar UID Andheri Mumbai enrollment Centers

The new phase of enrollment for the Aadhaar UID card has begun. The offline & online enrollment centers in Andheri are as listed below.

Visiting Ganapati Temple Moreshwar Morgaon

The Ganapati Temple at Moreshwar is the first temple as well as the last one to be visited by those who set out on the Ashtavinayak pilgrimage. A silver headed cobra (Nagaraj, the King of Snakes) is to be seen on this temple’s Ganesha idol. The benevolent 3 eyes of the idol literally sparkle with diamonds. 

Facing the temple is a mouse (Ganapati’s mount) which is 6 foot high. Also located outside the temple gates is a large sculpture of a bull which is Lord Shiva’s mount (Lord Shiva is Ganapati’s father). As per Hindu mythological legends, the bull was being transported from a Shiva temple located in the vicinity, rested here in front of the Moreshwar temple & then could not be budged from the spot. The bull & the mouse are considered to be faithful guardians of the Moreshwar temple.

Where to buy Eco friendly Ganesha Idols in Mumbai Thane Navi Mumbai

An eco-friendly Ganesha Idol is made from natural clay and natural colours are used, such as yellow from turmeric powder. Such idols dissolve easily in water and can even be immersed in a bucket of water at home itself without the need to take it to a local water body such as a tank, river or sea. More and more people are becoming conscious of the need to protect fragile Mother Nature & stop the widespread ruin of the local environment.