The Antiquities of Orissa v1.c11.144

v1.c11.144

Ganapatyas: The worshippers of the Gaṇeśa occupy even a more insignificant place in the Hindu community than the Sauras. According to Wilson, they “can scarcely be considered as a distinct sect: all the Hindus, in fact, worship this deity as the obviator of difficulties and impediments, and never commence any work, or set off on a journey, without invoking his protection. Some, however, pay him more particular devotion than the rest, and these are the only persons to whom the classification may be considered applicable. Gaṇeśa, however, it is believed, is never exclusively venerated, and the worship, when it is paid, is addressed to some of his forms, particularly those of Vakratuṇḍa and Dhuṇḍirāja.” 69 In Orissa, Darpaṇa is the only place which is specially devoted to Gaṇeśa; there in a wild spot on a low hill a small waterfall and an insignificant temple are the objects of respect; but they never acquired any celebrity, and are generally looked upon with indifference. They are evidently of very modern date, as the Kapila Saṃhitā and other local legends have nothing to say about them. No Uriā accepts the mantra of Gaṇeśa as the means of his salvation, and the god is everywhere looked upon as a subordinate individual, presiding over the department of learning and prosperity, but not a saviour. It should be added, however, that the festival of Gaṇeśa-caturthī is observed more scrupulously by the Uriyās on the fourth of the wane in the month of Bhādra than by the Bengalis. The offerings at this festival are made on a pot of water which is placed in front of the worshipper, and not to any image, for it must be said to the credit of the Uriyās that, unlike the Bengalis, they do not, at their different fasts and festivals, make any image of clay for adoration for the occasion, and temporary clay images are all but unknown in their part of the country, the demand for such objects being confined to the small floating Bengali population.