Staff correspondent, September 17, 2015, NewsCrunch
All Hindu sects and castes unite in worshipping Ganesha. They believe him so intensely, before starting any new venture, invoking his blessings is mandatory.
What makes Ganesha so popular? It is perhaps because you can connect to him at various levels, depending on your need and aptitude.
For many the self-serving belief that he removes obstacles is a good enough reason. There are a surfeit of mythologies and legends surrounding him that makes the religious minded comfortable.
For those on a philosophical quest, the imageries and symbolisms attached to Ganesha -- from his elephant head to the bloated belly -- offer a mesmerising challenge.
Last but not least, Ganesha is the trendiest of the Hindu Gods. The idol makers always couch him in the current seasonal flavour. Every year, Ganesha may come with a cricket bat or on a rocket or as a soldier with only the imagination posing the limit. This year, Bahubali Ganesha carrying a Shiva Linga on his shoulder is the rage.
But the more things change, the more they remain the same. If you want to look at Ganesha's timeless forms, for the traditional, the age-old depiction of the lord, turn to the the calendar art.
Here are 15 samples of Ganesha as calendar art has depicted him over the decades.
