The chubby, gentle, intelligent, elephant-headed Ganesha or Ganapati is one of the most popular Hindu gods. He is the remover of obstacles and the one whom worshippers first acknowledge when they visit a temple or embark on a new venture. With his broken tusk, Ganesha wrote part of the epic Mahabharata.
The elephant god has always fascinated sculptors, painters and writers alike.
As part of the run-up to the Ganapati festival, Uttam Ghosh has illustrated the god of power and wisdom according to the various fables related to the elephant god's life.
Seen in the illustration is one such tale.
Lord Shiva and Parvati assumed the forms of elephants and were wandering about many forests. Their names were Matanga and Matangi. Their child was Ganesha.
Design: Uttam Ghosh
Also See: Ganesha in various Avtars