Ganesa

rides on the rat or mouse, which was sacred to the Sminthean Apollo, to Freya and Holda, and to Odin who, like the “ Pied Piper,” led an army of rats (see Rev. Baring Gould, Owriows Myths of the Middle Ages, p. 467). In Banaras there is hardly a temple (see Sherring’s Bandras) where the figure of Ganesa is not found in some niche, or as the principal deity. He is sprinkled with holy water, and painted with vermilion, having silver head, hands, and feet. When Devodas determined to banish all gods, even Siva could not move him, but the wisdom, and eloquence, of Ganesa prevailed on him, Ganesa appears with Surya the sun, and with the Naugrah or planets: with the black ugly gode Barnarasi, in the Tri-lochan shrine of Siva; and beside the Kot-ling-ésvar, or deity of a thousand lingas; invariably also where the Pipal tree, and the Naga snake, of the old sylvan worshipers are found. His special shrine (the Bara-ganés), at Banaras, is close to that of Jaga-nath the Bhut-ésvar, or “ deity of spirits.” He is found near the Chandra-kup or “moon cup,” and in the shrines of Siddh-ésvari, and Sankata-Devi, gode es of the sacred city, with whom he is worshiped on Mondays, especially at Chait or Easter. He accompanies Siva, alike in Banaras and in the Himalayas, at Kedar-nath, as also where the marble foot of Vishnu (Til-ubhand-isvar), the three Nagas, and the three lingas of Siva, are adored. In all Durga’s shrines also her son Ganesa appears (see Durga). His festival takes place about Christmas-time, when students of Sanskrit in multitudes stand before him, from sunrise to sunset, praying for knowledge.