Here is another story about Ganesha’-  Ganesha’s Oil bath!

In South Indian Temples, often we see Ganesha as a bachelor, and smeared with oil; Hanuman with his right hand lifted, and Nandi in squatting position. You may wonder why?. You may find a plausible answer in the story below!

 Shiva and Parvati, parents of Ganesha, wanted to celebrate Ganesha’s wedding in a grand manner. Parvati asked one of her assistants to send invitations to all Devas, the celestial beings. On the wedding day morning, Ganesha was to have an oil bath. Parvati lovingly smeared Ganesha with perfumed oil from head to foot. He was then to have bath in Holy Water of Ganga before going to the marriage hall, well-dressed as a bride-groom.       Ganga is the personification of the Holy River Ganges whose water is used on all auspicious occasions ,and in this case, for bathing Ganesha. .Parvati and Ganga are wives of Lord Shiva , and are rivals, and  jealous of each-other.

All the invited guests had assembled in the Marriage hall, eagerly waiting for the bridegroom to come well dressed for Varapooja.

While Ganesha was in the bathroom smeared with oil, Parvati was searching for Ganga for the holy water for bath, but Ganga could not be found anywhere. Shiva called his steed, the bull Nandi, to search for Ganga and fetch her immediately and provide water for bath of Ganesha.

Nandi searched for Ganga all over the heaven and at last located her in a cave, dejected and full of anger. When Nandi asked her to ride on her to come to marriage hall immediately to provide holy water for Ganesha’s bath, she said “Although everybody in Heaven is invited to the wedding, I alone have been excluded. Now why should I come?” Nandi realized that by oversight she had been left out of the invitation! He begged her to overlook the mistake and come immediately, as Muhurtha, the auspicious time fixed for marriage, was approaching and every one was waiting for Ganesha to finish bath and come to the marriage hall. But Ganga refused to come! Shiva had ordered that Ganga should be brought. So, Nandi sat down, and managed to take her on his back. But he could not get on to his feet- Ganga had made herself so heavy!

At the marriage hall everybody was getting anxious as the Muhurtha was nearing. Ganesha was still in bathroom, smeared with oil! Shiva called Hanuman, the strongest and swiftest, to fetch Nandi and Ganga immediately.

Hanuman was also annoyed at the delay and came flying with his right hand lifted to thrash Nandi for his negligence. But when he found poor Nandi with tears in his eyes, struggling but unable to get up carrying Ganga, he stood spellbound.

       The auspicious Muhurtha, time fixed for marriage, was past,  with Ganesha still smeared with oil, waiting for his bath!

Before commencing any auspicious work, Ganesha is worshiped first to ward off any ‘Vighna’ or obstacles. But poor Ganesha, the Lord of Vighnas or obstacles , himself becomes a victim of Vighna to his own marriage!!