In addition to the eighteen puranas known as the Ashtadasa puranas, there are other eighteen Puranas which are known as Upa Puranas. One among them is the Bhargava Purana also known as Vinayaka Purana or Ganesa Purana. Sage Vedvyasa is the author of the major and minor puranas. In fact, there is no Purana which does not have a reference to Lord Ganesa. But the Bhargava Purana does deal exclusively with the birth and Leela of Lord Vinayaka since it also goes by the name of Sri Ganesa Purana. The story in this Purana was first narrated by Sri Vedvyasa to Brigu Maharishi, who later recounted it to Somaskanda. For this reason it came to be known as Bhargava Purana. There is another Upa Purana by name Mudgala Purana which also recounts in detail about the birth and Leelas of Maha Ganapathi.
We learn in the Bhargava Purana that when Vinayaka attained adolescence, Mother Parvathi Devi as all other mothers do, began to think about celebrating the marriage. When she was considering the question with Her Lord Maheswara, sage Narada visited Kailash and paid his respects to them. He suggested that Siddhi and Buddhi, the two daughters of Brahma would be the ideal brides of Ganesa. They were the Manasa Puthris of Brahma, the former signifying Fulfilment and the latter Wisdom.
Lord Siva and Parvathi approved the suggestion and started with Ganesa as also with all their retinue to Ananda Bhuvanam for arranging the wedding. On their way the party camped at Gandaki. An atrocious demon by name Sindhu was ruling in that area. He had waged war on the Devas, defeated them and had imprisoned Indra and a number of Devas. Lord Vinayaka felt that he should first set free Indra and the Devas who were in prison before he proceeded further on his way for the marriage. Nandhi, the bull was despatched to the court of Sindhu asking him to release the Devas or otherwise to prepare for an encounter to decide the issue. The demon was adamant and came for a battle. The war was severe and lasted many days. In the end the Asura was slain. The Gods and Indra was released. The entire party then started on their journey towards Ananda Bhuvanam.
By this time Visvakarma, the reputed Celestial Engineer had prepared a most beautiful palace at Ananda Bhuvanam and had procured all the essential materials for the marriage. The inhabitants of the celestial world had gathered in large numbers to witness the marriage. The Sapta Rishis had assembled with their descipiles. It was a great event to witness. On the wedding dais the divine consorts seated on both the sides of Maha Ganapathi when flowers rained amidst tumultuous joy.
In the Hindu pantheon of Gods, Ganesa occupies a most imortant place. No worship begins without Vigneswara puja. Vinayaka represents Pranava(omkara). He is the remover of all obstacles. The combination of the elephant head and human body signifies the Jeeva Brahma unity. Although more popularly Lord Ganesa is worshipped as Brahamachari(celibated) there are also a number of centres of worship in India where Vinayaka is worshipped as Siddhi Buddhi Sametha Vinayaka. While the elephant head Deity by Himself represents the Pure Pranava, with his consorts by his side, he reminds us that he is the bestower of SIDDHI AND BUDDHI on whoever prays to HIM with devout Bakhti.
May Lord Vinayaka Bless you all.
Sree Vinayaka Mandir Committee (Regd)