The Festivals of Dakshinayan

Dakshinayan. A beautiful Sanskrit term for telling you that the earth revolves in an elliptical orbit. How funny, no one knows Hinduism was way ahead of it's time.

What is Dakshinayan? It is the time when the Sun goes far south to the Earth's orbit. It is the time when days become short and nights become long. A time of upcoming winter and darkness. A time when the crops are yielded. A time when everyone has settled their income. A time when there is a fear of dacoit, thugs, looters.

This is the time when people decided to ward off their fear. They gathered in festivals, prayed to Gods, lighted up their homes....

Although there are various festivals all over the country during Dakshinayan, the three prominent ones are Ganesha Chaturthi, Durga Pooja and Diwali. Western world never understood the importance of these festivals, especially when we throw the God's idol in water. They fail to understand, construction and destruction are inevitable events of the universe. Attachment to those which are subject to decay is the worst.

This gets me thinking, why to we believe in idolatry? Why do we give form to what is formless? What is the point of having a God with elephant's face, or ten hands, or killing a ten-headed beast? What are these?

There is a lot of symbolism that is hidden in each of these idols. Remember, Dakshinayan is the time when nights become long. It is the weapon of the evil. Any predator, looter, or even war-monger would choose this time of the year to cast their fury. A bad time for good people. And who are we supposed to remember when things go bad? Yes. The Vighna-Vinashaka, Lord Ganesha.

But why? Why him? Why not anyone else, like Shiva?

You remember that story where Lord Shiva cuts off Ganesha's head? Yeah the origin story of Lord Ganesha. Goddess Mother Parvati made a doll with her sandal-paste and invoked life into it. She asked the boy to guard her chamber. Lord Shiva visits his wife but is stopped by the valiant boy. They have a fierce duel. Angry, Lord Shiva cuts his head off. Maa Parvati returns to see her boy dead. She mourns bitterly. Her sadness brings droughts and storms everywhere. Lord Shiva decides to rekindle life in the boy. He heals him, installing an elephant's head and thus Ganesha is born.

Now what is the symbolism behind it? You see, "Ganesha" or "Ganapathy", or "Gananayaka" all mean the same thing. They are made with two terms: "Gana" which means "people" and "Eisha/Pathy/Nayaka" which means "leader". So Ganesha directly translates into "Leader of the people".

Now think how is a "Leader" born. At first they are all same. Nature's creation. Mother Parvati is the representation of Nature. Then they develop ego. They think they are better than everyone. They think they are the protector of the universe. And then they fight with Time, aka Mahakaal, aka Lord Shiva. Who can defeat time? Time destroy's ego, represented by cutting of the head as that is where the ego resides.

When ego is destroyed, his nature changes. A state of depression follows. This is when Time heals them. Time installs Wisdom. Elephants are the wisest animals, hence elephant's head is chosen as the symbol of the Leadership.

Now look at any Ganesha idol. Do you see something weird in his hands? He holds no weapon. He holds "Ankusha" i.e. reigns in both his hands. This symbolized control, specifically self control. The big stomach symbolizes prosperity and the sweet Modak as his chosen way of life. It is often said Modak is meant for studious and philosophical people. Ganesha also participated in the writing of Mahabharata. Hence it also symbolizes philosophical streaks in one's personality. A leader is a complete combination of all these.

I know you never noticed these. But at least next time when you visit his temple, don't just bow. Look into his eyes and say: I know you and me are same. I know you are inside me. I know that I will become like you someday... Whenever you go through a bad time, remember Mahakaal is trying to turn you into a leader. Remember always, this story of Ganesha.


Next time I will be uploading the symbolism of Durga Pooja. Keep visiting to get updates about The Festivals of Dakshinayan Part II.

Stay safe.

Poulomi Hari.

Om Shanti.