2026-09-25 Fri

On Anant Chaturdashi, devotees bid farewell to Lord Ganesha with prayers and devotion, celebrating his presence while looking forward to his return the following year. The conclusion of Ganeshotsav carries a profound lesson about impermanence and non-attachment. For days, magnificent Ganesha idols are lovingly installed amid elaborate pandals, decorations, music and celebrations. Yet, when the festival ends, these grand creations are dismantled and the idol is taken for visarjan. The transformation from a magnificent celebration to a farewell reminds us that nothing in the material world is permanent.

This spirit of Ganesha worship finds a fascinating reflection on a copper coin of the Shiv Ganga Rajas, where the imagery brings together Ganesha and Shiva. Ganesha, the beloved son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, occupies a special place in Hindu tradition as the remover of obstacles and the deity traditionally invoked before auspicious beginnings. On this coin, Lord Ganesha is depicted seated on the obverse, while a Shiva Linga adorned with a garland appears on the reverse. Thus, the two sides bring together the divine son and father in a striking expression of religious devotion.

The Rajas of Sivaganga ruled the princely state of Sivaganga in present-day Tamil Nadu. The state emerged in the 18th century, with Sasivarna Periya Udaya Thevar regarded as its founder. Its history is associated with important figures including Muthu Vaduganatha Periya Udaya Thevar, Rani Velu Nachiyar and the Maruthu brothers, who played significant roles in the history of the region. Here, the Shiv Ganga Rajas copper coin weighs 3.12 grams. The obverse depicts Lord Ganesha seated in a dignified posture. The reverse features a Shiva Linga with a garland.

The pairing of Ganesha and the Shiva Linga on opposite sides of the same coin is especially meaningful. As the son of Shiva and Parvati, Ganesha is intrinsically connected with the Shaiva tradition. The coin therefore brings together Ganesha and Shiva, preserving their sacred association in metal.