Ganesa Birth Story Painted on Orissan Doors

Ganesa, the lord of ganas, is considered the god of good luck and auspicious happenings. He is known by various names like Vighneswar Siddhidata, Girijaputra etc. Ganesa is worshipped alike by devotees of all communities. The birth-story of Ganesa has been referrd with slight variations in many Puranas, as Padma Purana, Matsya Purana, Linga Purana, Brahmavaivarta Purana. ,Skanda Purana and Siva Purana. The last one deals with this theme in such an interesting manner that during the late medieval period it becomes very popular among the artists, who carved out or painted the episode based on this text. Two doors have formed the subject matter of this paper. The story of the birth of Ganesa mentioned in Siva Purana states that once Jaya and Vijaya, friends of Parvati advised her to have a guard of her own, as almost all the ganas belonged only to Siva but Parvati did not pay any attention to this idea Once Siva entered the apartment in spite of Nandi's check, who was guarding the door. At this moment Parvati felt the need of having her own guard. Accordingly, she modelled a male child out of her toilet paste and infused life in it. Afterwards Parvati posted him at the main gate with instruction not allowing anyone inside as she was going for bathe. Meanwhile Siva came and tried to enter into the apartment. The guard, at the gate, did not allow him, even after a hot discussion. Parvati enquired about the noise and knowing the situation, she sent her approval to the guard to resist forced entry of Siva into her apar...