Chalk and Cheese!.........

...........So very different from Miss Elephoto who was the subject of yesterdays Blip!!!

I had intended to gather my collection of elephants together and produce a picture of all of them in a big group - whatever I tried, it just did not work!!!

However, out of the many I do have, I think this one is my favourite. As you probably know , this is a representation of Ganesh the Hindi God. Anni brought him for me many, many years ago - it may have been from Goa. The head measures about 6" x 4" and is made of solid Bronze - so is very heavy - and hangs on the wall in the sitting room.

His colour is beginning to darken nicely now - as it should - bronze should never be polished - unlike brass. Anyway, I love him, so no apologies for offering him as todays Blip!Ganesh is the Ever-Blissful, elephant-headed deva (god) who is lovingly worshipped and revered by millions of people worldwide.

BOUI for today:-

1) Ganesh, is the God of Good Luck and Auspiciousness and is the Dispeller of problems and obstacles. He is also worshipped as the God of wisdom, wealth, health, celibacy, fertility and happiness.

2) He is also the God of education, knowledge and wisdom, literature, and the fine arts.

3) He is the Lord of success and destroyer of evils and obstacles. He is also worshipped as the god of education, knowledge, wisdom and wealth. In fact, Ganesh is one of the five prime Hindu deities (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and Durga being the other four).

4) How Ganesha Got His Head

The story of the birth of this zoomorphic deity, as depicted in the Shiva Purana, goes like this: Once goddess Parvati, while bathing, created a boy out of the dirt of her body and assigned him the task of guarding the entrance to her bathroom. When Shiva, her husband returned, he was surprised to find a stranger denying him access, and struck off the boy's head in rage. Parvati broke down in utter grief and to soothe her, Shiva sent out his squad (gana) to fetch the head of any sleeping being who was facing the north. The company found a sleeping elephant and brought back its severed head, which was then attached to the body of the boy. Shiva restored its life and made him the leader (pati) of his troops. Hence his name 'Ganapati'. Shiva also bestowed a boon that people would worship him and invoke his name before undertaking any venture. - (sorry, it is a bit gruesome but that's the way it goes!)

Not the nicest of days - rather dull most of the time - Temperature around the min 50s F.

Hope your day has been nicer than the weather!!