Ganesha in Kashmir and Mana

• KASHMIR

A cave in Ganesh ghati , a favorite site of prayers and meditation of devotees to Ganesha ( photograph by Gulnawaz Butt)

 

The most celebrated svayambhu murtis of Ganesha are found in Kashmir, where there are three famous and most powerful formless stones which from ancient times have drawn pilgrims to their shrines. One, which is near the village of Ganesh-bal, is in the river Lidar near its right bank, and is still an important place of pilgrimage…. Another rock in Kashmir which has been worshiped from most ancient times as a symbol of Ganesha under the name of Bhimasvamin is at the foot of the hill Hari-Parbat near Srinagar…. The most remarkable of these svayambhu murtis in Kashmir is the one on a cliff along the Kishen-Ganga known as Ganesh-Gati”- (Ganesha, a Monograph on the Elephant-Faced God, by Alice Getty, 1971, p. 22-23).

 

This is a Swayambhu idol which is located near the river Kishat Ganga.  Ganesha here is in the form of a huge Grey colored rock.  The rock measures about 15m tall with a nose shaped projection,which looks like an elephant face with a long trunk.    Devotees offer sindoor to Lord Ganesh.

 

MANA, BADRINATH

Ganesh  and Vyas Gufa are situated in Mana village, about 3 kilometers from Badrinath. Badrinath is around 525 kms from India’s capital Delhi.  Ganesh Gufa is below Vyas Gufa.  This is the place where Ganesha is supposed to have scribed the epic  Mahabharat.  The idol here is made of stone.

 

Another view of the stairs that lead to the gufa

Have a look at various wonderful Images around Badrinath, Ganesh Gufa and many more images – HERE