We begin the year with the first Sankatahara Chaturthi of 2021. It is thus relevant to recall the legend associated with the place and the significance of the Ganesha idol of Vatapi.
Vatapi is a place in Karnataka and the capital of the kingdom of the Chalukyas. The place derives its name from the story of the asura having the same name (Read: The Story of Vatapi).
A Ganapati temple was soon after established here and the idol that originated from this place, is referred to as Vatapi Ganapati and is said to have been once worshipped by Sage Agastya, the slayer of the demon, Vatapi.
In the latter years, the region around Vatapi was ruled by the Chalukya dynasty and the Ganesha deity gained prominence thereafter as a remover of obstacles & bestower of boons. It is believed that this Ganesha idol was subsequently brought to the temples of Tamil Nadu from Vatapi after a conquest of the Chalukya kingdom. The idol now resides in a temple in Nagapattanam, Tamil Nadu.
This particular idol of the elephant headed God has four hands, holding a sugar-cane in one of his hands, and a broken tooth in another (with which he slayed Gajamukhasura) among other objects. The lord in this form is known as a remover of obstacles & is revered by both Agastya and Lord Vishnu.
It is said that the legendary Sri Muthuswamy Deekshitar was so enamoured by the idol and composed a song in the praise of the Lord Ganapati of Vatapi. The song bears the reference – “Vatapi Ganapatim Bhaje”, which literally means, I pray to the Lord Ganapati of Vatapi. The song is one of Muthuswamy Dikshitar’s most prominent compositions and is very frequently sung at Carnatic music performances.
With this first Sankatahara Chaturthi of the year, we hope and pray the year 2021 is the year when all the obstacles facing us are removed and we have a peaceful and healthy year ahead.
HAPPY NEW YEAR, 2021!