Ganesha

Om
Vakratunda Mahakaya Suryakoti Samaprabha
Nirvighnam Kurumedeva Sarva Karyeshu Sarvada
Om

Ganesha is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, the remover of obstacles, the perfect leader.

This is my tribute to the lord with a humble Madhubani painting of Ganpati.

Gangaur

Gangaur (गणगौर) is Gan which means Isarji (Lord Shiva), and Gauri, which means Goddess  Parvati. Parvati symbolizes Saubhagya (marital bliss).

The unmarried women worship Parvati so that they are blessed with a good husband, while married women worship Parvati for the welfare, health and long life of their husbands and for a happy married life.



For 16 days, Gangaur is worshipped by unmarried girls. Married women join them in the prayers on the last day. And finally on the 16th day, Gangaur leaves the mother’s place, only to return next year.

Shiva Parvati folk stories are sung as songs. See one interesting song that my mother sings translated here: http://www.shivshankar.in/gauri-goes-to-her-mothers-home-and-mahadevji-goes-after-her/

Also read another article on Gangaur on ShivShankar.in here:
http://www.shivshankar.in/gangaur/

Mithila - A brief History

Mithila (मिथिला) was the capital of the ancient Videha Kingdom, spread over modern day Bihar (India) and Nepal.

In Ramayana, Lord Rama's wife Sita and her father Janaka were from this Kingdom. Gautama Buddha and Vardamana Mahavira have also lived in Mithila. The ancient kingdom of Videha is mentioned both in Ramayana and Mahabharata.

The Mithila painting or Madhubani painting style originated in the Mithila or Videha region of India and Nepal.