Revered for his intelligence and wisdom, Lord Ganesha is believed to offer valuable life lessons to the world.
In a country where millions of people celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi, a 10-day festival celebrating the deity of overcoming obstacles, it is vital to focus on significant mental and physical lessons.
Lord Ganesh, affectionately called Ganpati Bappa, is honored at the start of every ritual and ceremony. These lessons can guide us toward a healthier and more balanced lifestyle, empowering us to overcome obstacles, cultivate healthy eating habits, seek knowledge, maintain well-being, and strive for environmental sustainability.
In this article, we delve into five health lessons, inspired by the life and teachings of Lord Ganesha.
Why is Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrated?
One of the biggest festivals of India, Ganesh Chaturthi marks the birth of Ganesh, the lord of new beginnings.
From ukadiche modaks to kozhukattais, Ganesh Chaturthi unites people of different faiths and cultures.
The festival is marked by great zeal and enthusiasm in the devotees, who bring the idols of Lord Ganesha and worship him for 10 days, and perform Ganesh Visarjan on the last day.
Although this festival is celebrated by millions of people in India, it is particularly famous in Maharashtra, where it was not a part of the tradition until the Maratha dynasty.
When Chhatrapati Shivaji laid down the foundation stone of the Maratha Empire, the festival became a homely affair.
However, it was a noted Independence leader, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, who was instrumental in re-inventing the festival into a public event, in an event to resist British suppression.
In 1893, when Indians were finding it hard to form associations to meet and discuss freedom ideas, Tilak thought that Ganesh Chaturthi could be a safe and united platform.
Apart from prayers and events, lord Ganesh craved beautiful themes of statues and pandals to showcase his beauty and wisdom.
Health Lessons from Ganpati Bappa
Lord Ganesha is known for overcoming obstacles, whether it’s for the greater good or a lesson to the world.
Ranging from physical inactivity, imbalanced diet, and alcohol consumption, and with 1 of every 8 people living with obesity,
Lord Ganesha has a valuable lesson for overcoming unhealthy habits.
For instance, waking up early to run a mile or eating a balanced homemade meal can make significant changes to your health.
Take this festival as a sign to understand the root cause of lethargy and pave the way for habits that deliver a healthier body.
Ganesha has small eyes but a sharp focus. Similarly, the focus on health is always followed by what you eat.
Organic foods are produced without using industrial pesticides, fertilizers, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
Organic farming practices eliminate the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers, reducing your exposure to harmful chemicals that can negatively impact your health.
The organic food industry has grown significantly in the last decades. India has over
1 million organic food producers, standing at the top of production.
By incorporating more organic foods into your diet from a marketplace like Re:fresh, which sources the top organic and certified products, you can positively impact
your health and the environment, inspired by Ganpati Bappa’s health lessons.
Ganesha has large ears that signify active listening.
When we are surrounded by information on climate change, we tend to ignore the fact that it is not a near-future calamity.
But the Global warming impact was already seen in India with the 2024 heat wave.
Our actions have a significant impact on the planet and we release massive amounts of greenhouse gases with 196,442 kg of coal, 103,881,279 liters of gas, and 150,179 liters of oil a second, releasing nearly 40 billion tonnes of CO2 annually into a thin atmosphere.
As human beings with the utmost intelligence, it is in our hands to take up the responsibility and work on every scale for climate change.
Lord Ganesha is a preacher of perseverance, and just like his lessons, we can start with small habits with small and manageable steps.
A healthy meal is an accumulation of fats, carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, and minerals. If you wish to shift your diet from unhealthy to healthy, try making smaller changes.
For instance, if you plan on replacing your conventional tea/chai with organic green tea, try making the switch gradually. Cut down the intake times, to once every 3 days.
By regularly making changes and slowly adapting to your long-term plan, you can make a sustainable approach to health with Lord Ganesha’s lessons.
One of the most unique features of Lord Ganesha is his flexible trunk that embodies adaptability and energy, which are essential for emotional and physical wellness.
Adapting a natural lifestyle means making changes in diet to the point that it delivers positive changes in the environment. The products we use and consume leave behind a huge trail of harm to the planet.
Agriculture, with chemical fertilizers and pesticides, emits 60-70% of nitrous oxide in the environment.
It is crucial to promote the use of farming that doesn’t use any pesticides, utilizes natural practices, and leaves the planet ready for the next generations.
Embracing the lessons from Lord Ganesha, on this Ganesh Chaturthi can offer a fresh perspective on health, well-being, and prosperity.
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