Ganesh Temple, Jodhpur

Ganesh Temple is home to an eight feet high and five feet wide idol of Vinayakji, other name of Lord Ganesh. Named after a dog called Rata, Ratanada Hills act as the location of the temple. The 150-year old statue of Vinayakji was discovered in a place called Ratanada that is situated at a distance of 5 km from the main city.

Son of Lord Shiva in Hindu mythology, Lord Ganesh is the elephant god. Where the statue had been found, a temple was constructed. Dedicated to Lord Ganesh (the elephant God), Ganesh Temple is located in Ratananda. Lord Ganesh is one of the better known and widely worshipped Gods in the Hindu religion. Not just Hindus, his devotees come from the Buddhist and Jain sects as well.

Ganesha is considered as the lord of beginnings and remover of obstacles, which is why, he is the first God to be prayed to and honoured at the beginning of holy rituals. Ganesh Temple in Jodhpur is said to have been constructed at the same site where a long time ago, a teacher spotted a huge Ganesh statue on the Ratananda hills. Today the temple has the idols of Riddhi (Prosperity) and Siddhi (Spiritual Power), Ganesha's consorts on either side of Ganesha in the sanctum sanctorum. Just inside the temple entrance, there is an idol of Naag dev or the Snake God. All these idols are said to have emerged by themselves from the rock outface.