Knowledge Bank

Definition of Itihasa

इति हैवमासिदिति यः कथ्यते स इतिहासः - This verse indicates that the term 'Itihasa' is used for accounts that are accepted as historical truths. Ramayana and Mahabharata are 'Itihasa' and not products of fiction or imagination. These epics are treated as factual retellings of events that transpired in ancient times.

Why is clay idol used in Vinayak Chaturthi Puja?

Ganesha Purana prescribes the use of only clay idols in Vinayaka Chaturthi Puja. Sanatana Dharma is very sensitive about nature and the ecosystem. Vinayaka Chaturthi idols are to be immersed after the Puja. So ideally it has to be a material soluble in water. You can imagine the situation if thousands of wooden or metal idols are immersed in water every year. Moreover, Veda says that the earth was originally made up of clay. Clay was the prime material at the time of creation. That is yet another reason for prescribing clay.