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 Ganesh Puja |
In
this temple to Ganesh, the image of the elephant-headed god is painted
in the bright orange-saffron color of the ascetic. |
Ganesh Temple Innershrine |
Each
morning and evening the family who owns this small temple perform
a puja (offering ritual) requesting protection of the god. The ever-popular
Ganesh is the god of good fortune and prosperity, of new beginnings,
and of entrances and exits. |
 Ganesh Puja with Flame |
Ganesh Temple Doorway Dog |
Ganesh Vehicle Bandicoot |
Ganesh
is also known as the remover of obstacles. His animal vehicle (vahana)
is a small rodent identified variously as a mouse, rat, or bandicoot,
different animals all expert at sliding into tightly-locked storehouses. |
 Ganesh Puja Garlanded |
| Before
leaving Ellora, we were invited to participate in a morning arati
in which the priest made various offerings to the deity including
water, fruit, sandalpaste, flowers, and fire. |
 Ganesh Puja by Mark |
 Ganesh Puja by Cathy |
 Ganesh Temple Sign |
In
this temple, men must remove all clothing above their waists in
order to participate in a puja, or even enter the shrine room. So
the three male members of our group took off their shirts before
walking into the inner shrine of the temple. |
Temple Priest in Discussion with Students |
| At
the end of the ritual, each of us was invited to pass the flame
over the deity, receiving his blessing. |
 Ganesh Puja by Maryam |
` Doorway to Inner Shrines |
 Rukmini Bai with Students |
Rukmini
Bai has worked at this Ganesh Temple for many years maintaining
the compound. Her house is just off the courtyard. She is shown
in these photos with Lake Forest College students Maryam, Christa,
and Tiffany. |
 Rukini Bai Walking In to Her House |
 Leaving the Ganesh Temple |
 Temple Gate Sign |
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