Worshipping Vinayaka is about worshipping nature, says seer

Even as environmentalists are throwing their weight behind the ‘Green Ganesha’ concept, Dattapeetham seer Ganapathi Sachchidananda Swamy says Vinayaka Chavithi is all about worshipping nature.

The seer was in the city for the Chavithi celebrations at Dattapeetham at Patamata. He said it was important to understand the deeper implications in mythologies. “There is spirituality and science involved. The Vinayaka Chavithi festival expresses our gratitude to all elements of nature,” he added.

According to him, Vinayaka Chavithi fell in ‘Bhadrapada Maasa’, the time when nature is bountiful, with vegetation in its full splendour. “Yatis stay put at one place during the season to ensure that their movements do not disturb nature. So, the festival suggests harmony with all elements,” the Swamy said.

“In the offerings that we make to Vinayaka, each item, including the clay used for making idols, has its own significance and is symbolic of our deeper links with nature. Leaves such as garika (cynodon dactylon) are offered to the Lord Vinayaka. Every leaf has medicinal value. While garika can cure headache, maddi works as anti-poison,” he added.

The idea of immersion is to reinforce the concept that what has come from nature should return to it. “So, we should not use paints to decorate the idol, as immersion should not lead to pollution of water bodies,” he said.

The use of thermocol and plastic in decorations needs to be avoided. “If we want natural products to satiate the hungry, why should we use plastic, which doesn’t dissolve in earth?” he asked.

“Every ‘abharana’ (jewel), ‘ayudha’ (weapon) and physical feature of Ganesha is significant. ‘Soorpakarna’ (broad ears) and ‘lambodara’ (big belly) tell us to listen and keep it all to yourself. The snake around his waist is symbolic of fixing problems. One should learn determination, dedication, and devotion from the Vinayaka story,” he added.