The idol is hand-carved and is made of polished Brown Goldstone. It shows Ganesha, the elephant head god, who is honoured for his wisdom by both the Hindus and the Buddhists.

 

Ganesha is a magical figure and reflects the wisdom that is attributed to the elephant, the earthiness and serenity that are expressed through his fat belly and the agility that is expressed in his dance, a dance with which he keeps the earth moving. The god with the elephant head removes obstacles and is the patron saint of travellers.

 

Hindus pray to Ganesha before they begin something new, such as a new job or moving.

 

Ganesha is the most beloved God in India. How did Ganesha obtain this special position? It is told that Shiva was away from home for a long time. His beloved wife Parvathi felt alone and unsafe in her godly home. She decided to make a son and protector. After bathing, she scratched her skin clean of oil and from the divine remnants of that material she created her son Ganesha. She charged him to guard the palace gate. Ganesha fulfilled his duties with loyalty and when a stranger, who acted like the castle was his, came to the gate Ganesha refused him entrance. Shiva, who was mistaken for a stranger at his own gate, was enraged. He beheaded the guard and entered. But Parvathi, who was happy that her husband had returned, burst into tears when she heard that Shiva had killed Ganesha. When Shiva understood what had happened, he ordered his servants to go and bring back any head of a living creature so he could bring Ganesha back to life. The servants saw an elephant outside and they were used to perform their assignments literally, without thinking. They brought back an elephant's head. Shiva placed the head on top of the body of his adoptive son and behold, the god with the elephant head was born.

 

But Parvathi, who was happy that her husband had returned, burst into tears when she heard that Shiva had killed Ganesha

 

He ordered the gods to fetch Ganesha's body and wash it. Afterwards he spoke: "Go to the north and cut off the head of the first living creature you encounter". The gods travelled north and the first creature they saw was an elephant with one tusk. They cut its head off, brought it back and attached it to Ganesha's body. Then Shiva took some nectar from the gods and, while muttering prayers, he sprinkled some drops on the lifeless body. The first drop made Ganesha regain consciousness. He got up as if he had only been sleeping. His limbs looked as vigorous and beautiful as before and on his shoulders stood a cheerful rosy elephant head.