Why are certain leaves, like arka and durva, considered favorites of Lord Ganesh in these rituals?

 There is a story as to why Ganesha loves Durva grass. But before that, let us understand how Durva grass was born. As per the Vaamana Purana, during the Samudra Mathana, when Vaasuki was made the rope to churn the Milky Ocean, the devatas and demons pulled him on either side with great force. Due to this, Vaasuki was feeling pathetic. Some parts of his tail broke off and flowed near the shore of the Milky Ocean. These parts of the tail took root in the earth and transformed into the first shoots of Durva.

The Bhavishyottara Purana says that, during the Samudra Mathana, the cosmic hair from Kurma Bhagavan, who was holding the Mandara Parvata on His back, fell and Durva grass was formed. Therefore, both the accounts are true, but they might have happened in different Kalpas. Now, why does Ganapati love Durva? There is a story in the Skanda Purana and other Upapuranas too.

There was a demon by the name Analasura. As his name itself suggests, Anala means fire, and adura means demon. The fire-demon. The Upasana Khanda of Ganesha Purana (which is considered an Upapurana) says that when Yama got attracted to Tilottama, the celestial damsel, Yama’s veerya fell off, and from that itself Analasura was born. This Analasura was emitting fire from his eyes and mouth. So, he used to give a nuisance to the devatas. The devatas approached Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva instructed Ganesha to go and kill Analasura. Ganesha and Analasura fought fiercely, and when no weapon was harming Analasura, Ganesha swallowed that demon.

As Ganesha swallowed Analasura, the fire was causing a burning sensation for Ganesha. So, to remove that burning sensation, the devatas tried different remedies. Chandra came and sat on Ganesha’s head, due to which He was known as Bhaalachandra. Lord Vishnu put His lotus on Ganesha’s chest, but that also didn’t work as per His own will. Lord Shiva wrapped His cooling serpent around Ganesha’s stomach; that too didn’t work. The devatas applied rakta-gandha on Ganesha’s body and bathed Him with nectar; nothing worked. At the end, the sages brought the Durva leaves and put them on the head of Ganesha and chanted the Vedic Mantras. That eliminated the heat within Ganesha and cooled Him down.

Anyways, it came from Srihari only in His Kurma Svaroopa; it is the Bhagavad Prasaada, because of which Ganesha felt cooling. Plus, if we also take the Vaasuki narrative, since it came from the tail pieces of Vaasuki, it had the power to absorb heat. So now, Ganesha decreed that His pooja must be done by using Durva Patras. Like how, without Tulasi, Vishnu pooja is incomplete, similarly, without Durva Patras, Ganesha Pooja is incomplete. Therefore, Ganesha declared that whoever worships Him with Durva grass will be freed from all kinds of obstacles.

Ganesha is the worshipper of the Vishvambhara form of Lord Vishnu, as quoted from the Maandukya Upanishad by SriMadhvacharya. In this Vishvambhara form, Lord Vishnu also has an elephant head, with 19 human heads on either side. He has a broad chest and a slender belly, holding Vara and Abhaya Mudra. In the other two hands, He is holding Shankha and Chakra. So, because Ganesha worshipped this Vishvambhara form of Lord Vishnu through the stories in the Skanda Purana and Brahma Vaivartha Purana, He obtained the head of an elephant. So, this Durva also has the special presence of Lord Vishnu, or Lord Vishvambhara.

[Image of SriVishvambhara form of Lord Vishnu, which is always worshipped by Lord Ganesha]

Since He is the Upaasaka of Vishvambhara, He is also the presiding deity for the Aakaasha Tattva. May Lord Ganesha, the destroyer of all obstacles and the provider of intellect, provide us with good health, wealth, intellect, and devotion in Srihari, Vayu, and Gurus, and remove all our obstacles.

Hope this helps!
Jay SriRam!
SriGanapati Anatargata SriBhaaratiramana Mukhyapraana Antargata SriVishvambhara Abhinna SriKrishnarpanamastu!

What is Prasadam in Hindu rituals, and why is it considered special after being offered to the gods?

 

“ sAdam “ means food. “ pra “ means good. prasAdam means good and hygienic food.

Food can have three types of flaws (doshas): 1. Jati Dosha (Inherent flaw) – foods like onions and radishes are considered Tamasic (dull/lethargic in nature). 2. Ashrita/Patra Dosha (Flaw due to the container) – milk and coconut water are beneficial, but if stored in a copper vessel, they spoil and cause illness. 3. Nimitta Dosha (Flaw due to origin) – the place where the food was cultivated is unsuitable.

One might wonder, "How can we possibly know where the food was grown?"

That is precisely why, if we offer the food to the Divine Mother and consume it as Prasadam (sanctified offering), these flaws are neutralized.

In the Bhagavad Gita, the Supreme Lord states:

" Aharastvapi sarvasya trividho bhavati priyah " – Bhagavad Gita 17:7

This means, "Depending on human nature, food also falls into three categories: Sattvic, Rajasic, and Tamasic."

In the Vishnu Sahasranama, the names "Annam" and "Annadah" appear. They signify that He is the provider of food, and indeed, He is the food itself.

I recently read an article about Palghat (Palakkad). The average lifespan of the residents there is 95 years, and there are many who live beyond a century. People often wonder how they manage to live such long, peaceful lives despite facing various indignities from both Tamilians and Keralites. The reason identified was that they consume only Sattvic food, and in moderate quantities. Spirituality also plays a significant role in their lives.

Therefore, one should pray to the Divine Mother: "Oh Mother, grant me the fortune of consuming any food only after offering it to You."

Subhamastu

What are some awesome temple rituals in India?

 Guess what this is!

A temple?

Not exactly.

It’s a well near a temple in Kanchipuram, commonly called ‘Nadavaavi Well'. Well, it’s not just a well, there’s a small underground cellar inside the well. In the above picture you are looking at the entrance of the well, with steps leading downwards.

These are the steps of the well which lead to the underground cellar. During rainy season, the whole cellar gets submerged in water and water comes even up to the top of the stairs.

During the summer, the water level decreases and underground cellar is visible.

This is the underground cellar. How beautiful it is. The cellar is a twelve pillar structure. The pillars are very awesome, intricately detailed and have very precise corners. In the middle of the pillars, the well goes deeper. You'll find water inside it.

There is ample space surrounding the pillars where people can move freely.

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Now, let's go to the core part of answer.

The Varadharaja Perumal of Kanchipuram visits this well on every Chitra Pournami. The vigraha of Varadharaja is brought to the Nadavaavi well.

The water inside the mandapam is drained out on that day. Lord Varadharaja comes inside the well, stays there for a while and then moves out. A large number of people visit the well to witness this beautiful ritual.

The above picture shows Varadharaja inside the well cellar.

After the ritual ends, the water slowly fills the mandapam and it gets submerged inside water. It will be an awesome sight to see.