Handcrafted Hindu Sculpture of Lord Ganesha, "Ganesha"

This superb sculpture is carved by Nyoman Indrawati Subrata of the Subrata Family. It depicts the Hindu Ganesha, a deity with the head of an elephant who is worshiped for the protection he provides and the wisdom he exudes. Ganesha is also called Lambhodara, meaning big belly, and Winayaka, the leader in heaven among the angels and gods.

The story of Ganesha begins with the god Siwa as he meditates with his pregnant consort, the Goddess Parwati, in Kailasa palace on the peak of Ice Mountain. During their time of introspection, a powerful demon appears, wanting to destroy heaven. The only thing that can kill the demon and prevent the destruction of heaven is a demi-god who is neither animal nor human, but rather a combination of the two. The group of gods brings an elephant before Parwati, who has just given birth. She casts a powerful spell upon the unwitting creature, causing her newborn baby to take on characteristics of the powerful elephant and, in effect, creating the half-animal, half-man demi-god that can fight off the demon. The baby Ganesha then succeeds in killing the cruel demon and solidifying his legend.

The artisan carries on the wonderful work of her father, Nyoman Subrata.