Elephant Valley
Menu- WELCOME TO THE ELEPHANT VALLEY!
- FROM ASIA OR AFRICA?
- FROM THE LIFE OF ELEPHANTS
- WATER OVER GOLD
- BIG EATERS
- ELEPHANTS ENDANGERED
- HARD LIFE WITH ELEPHANTS
- HARD LIFE WITH PEOPLE
- PARTNERSHIP OF PEOPLE AND ELEPHANTS
- ELEPHANTS IN CEREMONIES
- ELEPHANTS AT WORK
- ELEPHANTS FROM PINNAWALA
- GANESHA
- ELEPHANTS IN HINDUISM
- THE SOVEREIGN WHITE ELEPHANT
- THE DREAM OF THE WHITE ELEPHANT
GANESHA – A GOD WITH AN ELEPHANT’S HEAD
The most widespread religion in India, Hinduism, has a whole range of gods. One of the most revered is Ganesha, who has an elephant’s head and is the embodiment of several qualities which people value in elephants.
In India, the elephant is recognised for its ability to keep going in spite of obstacles and bear all sorts of injustices. Ganesha is therefore also known as the “Lord of Obstacles” and all believers who need to ensure their activities go smoothly turn to him – mainly travellers and businesspeople for whom he has become their patron.
Elephants’ intelligence is renowned. Indians even consider them to be the most clever of all animals, so another of Ganesha’s functions is the protection of wisdom and knowledge. His large elephant ears are therefore a reminder that one should, above all, know how to listen to others and be open to their ideas.
Ganesha is also loved by many Buddhists for his positive characteristics. His image can therefore be found in most South-East Asian countries.