Lintel with Ganesha and the Eight Dikpalas

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The iconic elephant-headed Ganesha is one of Hinduism's most revered deities – a powerful creator and remover of obstacles. The stunning stone sculpture on display was carved from schist approximately 800 years ago and originally stood proudly outside a temple in Orissa, now known as Odisha. This captivating exhibit brings together the ancient masterpiece with more recent depictions of Ganesha created for various purposes. Among these are the temporary statues crafted annually for Mumbai's Ganeshchaturthi festival, which are placed in public or domestic shrines before being submerged in water at the celebration's conclusion. Curated by Manisha Nene, a renowned expert from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS) in Mumbai, this exhibit was made possible through her participation in the British Museum's International Training Programme (ITP). As part of ITP, Manisha developed a proposal for a temporary exhibition about Ganesha, which was enthusiastically supported by Neil MacGregor, Director of the British Museum. MacGregor invited Manisha to collaborate with British Museum curators to bring this ambitious project to life. This exhibit delves into the rich imagery and symbolism associated with Ganesha, providing valuable context for the worship of this revered god across South Asia. It also retells some of the most captivating stories surrounding Ganesha, offering a deeper understanding of his significance in Hindu mythology.