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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 Moreover, Veda says that the earth was originally made up of clay.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.

Anjana's previous birth

Hanumanji's mother Anjana used to serve Devaguru Brihaspati in her previous birth. Her name was Punjikasthali. Once she went to fetch water and came back late. Brihaspati cursed her to become a monkey.

ॐ नमस्ते विघ्ननाथाय नमस्ते सर्वसाक्षिणे । सर्वात्मने सुसंवेद्यरूपिणे ते नमो नमः ।। om namaste vighnanaathaaya namaste sarvasaakshine . sarvaatmane susamvedyaroopine te namo namah' ......

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