The Ganesha is a very old carving in the dark green granite that is common is South India. The stone turns dark black when covered with sesame oil as is traditional during the abishekam yagya. In this image you can see the Ganesha seated on his vahana (mount or vehicle) with his right leg extended down as is common in images of the Goddess. So, this form of Ganesha is called Shakti Ganapati and Lakshmi is seated on his left leg.
The Abishekam consists of pouring various liquids over Ganesha as a form of offering; kind of a mixture of feeding and cleaning all at once. In addition to the milk you see in this image, water, curd, a mixture of fruit honey and yogurt called pancha amrita, turmeric, sandalwood, and rosewater are typical offerings.
All the Ganehsa murtis in the temple are bathed, fed and decorated; even the smallest ones as seen here.
The large Ganesha is dressed in a new silk dhoti provided by us, and many yards of flower garlands. In this image you can see how the flower completely cover even the brass arch and all that is visible is Ganesha's face in the center.
Afterwards the whole temple feels different; clean and recharged with a powerful subtlety.
