Ganesh is a universal god who is mostly respected and worshiped by many countries such as India, Tibet, Nepal, Japan, Cambodia, Korea, China, Indonesia and especially in Thailand. His head is an elephant and his body is human. He is symbolized as an intellectual god who solves the obstacle and brings the success as he was given the wishes by Shiva. Most people believe that Ganesh is a god who usually supports the good person and cleans up the evil thing by his supernatural power, magic and virtue. He is also a grateful god who should be really a respectful person. If people would like to make a ceremony such as opening a new business, beginning your job, going outside making some auspicious rite, they have to offer sacrifice to Ganesh firstly.
The Born of Ganesh
Since Shiva was performing his meritorious acts for a long time, Parvati,a wife of Shiva, felt bored and lonely. So, she created a child by her magic to be her son and her friend to reduce her loneliness. And she also orders that child to protect her as a guard at her place. Next, Shiva came back and Parvati was being inside her place. Shiva was not allowed to go inside by that child because he did not know who Shiva is and Shiva did not also know who the child is. So, it makes Shiva was very angry as he asks that child who he is but that child did not care and respect under his order. Then, they had a fight and Shiva won that fight and cut the child’s head by his trident. After the death of that child, Parvati came back. And she was shocked as she saw that her child had no head and died cruelly. So, she decided to break her relation with Shiva due to killing an innocent child who was like her son. When Shiva heard that, he tried to solve this conflict quickly. So, he promised that he will make the child alive again but it must be done before the sun rise comes. However, the child had no head anymore so he was very anxious because if the sun rise comes, he can not resurrect that child. So, he ordered a god to find out the first head which they could see. When that god came to the earth, he found a dead white elephant. So, he brought that white elephant head to Shiva. Then Shiva could make the resurrection of that child. And he gave that child Seven Wishes and named him “Ganesh.”
Ganesh has four hands and only one ivory. His head is the head of elephant and his body is human with white, red, and yellow skin. So he is also called “Kachanon.” Moreover, he has a rat as his vehicle. His hands hold a lariat, hook, and all of them were given by Shiva.
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How does Ganesh influence Thai people?
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In Thailand, Ganesh becomes an important god. The belief has gradually spread to Thailand since in the past. So, we can see Ganesh image and statue around many places in Thailand such as Bangkok, Lop Buri, Nakhon Si Thammarat and etc. Thai people usually respect him when they have their important ceremony. Moreover, Ganesh is also a symbol of Fine Arts Department and Silpakorn University. Including he is worshiped in some rites such as the ceremony of opening movie, Thai Classical Music & Dance Wai Khru Ceremony, and Thai sacred ceremony to indoctrinate the art pupils. When people make these ceremonies, they have to give their respect and worship to Ganesh firstly for their luck and success. So, most people usually request some good blessing about their education, knowledge, position, job and love. Sometimes, they pray Ganesh to clear their obstacle and problem. And those worshipers should have their good deeds so these requests will be success.
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The God of Success
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As he is a Universal God, many people always pray and worship him. Every people can pray and ask for blessing from Ganesh as he is a kind and intellectual god who always help and solve problem for good people to be success. If someone is facing a very hard obstacle, they can come to pray to Ganesh and then they will be get success. Also, in Thailand, most of Thai people usually pray for their success such as job, education, and especially money. Some of them promise Ganesh that they will be like a worshipers, son and daughter of Ganesh to help and serve him. It is believed that if someone worships and respects Ganesh sincerely and honestly, everything in their will easily grow up. Most of people, not just only Thais, believe that the god who makes them success and glorious is Ganesh. They said Ganesh always help and support them as he is looking after his children and clearing obstacles to get success in everything. So, Ganesh is always called as the God of Success.
