We all bow ourselves to the all encompassing power of Ganesh and Lakshmi who are worshipped as the god of fortune and the goddess of wealth respectively.
Although both the deities are worshipped together, the historical evidence paints an altogether different picture. Most of the stone figures and terracotta figurines belonging to the Shung period prove that Lakshmi alone was worshipped by the devotees and no evidence of Ganesh was found anywhere during those times.
"Gajalakshmi, Panchchura or Annapurna and Padmahasta were worshipped during the 2nd century BC. All of these were the different forms of goddess Lakshmi.
None of the Ganesh figures were found during excavations and this proves that Lakshmi alone was worshipped," said Dr Prabhakar Pandey, keeper education in Allahabad Museum.
Gajalakshmi has been engraved in a stone panel with two elephants at the top in a position of performing 'abhishek'. An interesting inference could be drawn from this piece found in Kaushambi. "There is an ox at the right side and an elephant at the left side of the main figure. The ox (Nandi) depicts the believers in Shaiv sect and the elephant could be related to Buddha as it is known that his mother dreamt of an elephant when Buddha was in her womb. It is just an attempt to showcase a composite figure to please the people of variable religious beliefs," said Dr Pandey.
Another Panchchura in terracotta adorns five rice kernels on her head and also bears few weapons. She is shown standing on a lotus. Padmahasta, yet another form of goddess Lakshmi is too shown standing on a lotus and she is surrounded by a wide pond.
{{/usCountry}}Another Panchchura in terracotta adorns five rice kernels on her head and also bears few weapons. She is shown standing on a lotus. Padmahasta, yet another form of goddess Lakshmi is too shown standing on a lotus and she is surrounded by a wide pond.
{{/usCountry}}"The concept of worshipping male and female dieties must have emerged after the conflict between the Shakti sect (worshippers of female deities) and others who worshipped male gods. This gave birth to composite figures of Ardhnarishwar and perhaps the tradition of worshipping Ganesh and Lakshmi began then onwards," said Dr Pandey.
Similarly Dr DP Dubey of Department of Ancient History, Allahabad University said that the tradition of worshipping Ganesh and Lakshmi started during the medieval period.
"Few people wrongly believe that Ganesh and Lakshmi are couples. Actually they share the relationship of nephew and aunt. Rig Veda mentions the evidence of 'Sri' or Lakshmi. The Diwali night is basically called Kalratri which is associated with Lord Shiva. So in order to appease Shiva we turn to his son Ganesh just the way we first worship Hanuman to appease Lord Rama. It is the tradition to worship Ganesh first as he is the Vighnaharta, the one who saves us from all the troubles. Then we worship Lakshmi, the Siddhidatri," said Dr Dubey.