The Newar Craftsmen of Kathmandu Valley: Objects of Devotion from Nepal

Dancing Ganesh
By Ishwari Karmacharya
36 x 22 5/8 in.
1989

The elephant-headed god, Ganesa, is worshipped to remove life’s obstacles by devotees adhering to both Buddhist and Hindu traditions. One of the most extraordinarily vital forms of this deity depicted in the Kathmandu Valley is Dancing Ganesa, also known as Mahaganapati, “Great Lord of the Entourage.” The location of the tantric deity Samvara in the top left indicates that this form of Ganesh is associated with an esoteric tantric tradition: as a protector, along with different figures of Mahakala on the top and bottom top right. The Sakya lama found at the bottom suggests that the original painting on which this one is based was commissioned for display in Tibet.