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Honoring Ganesha in India

Celebrate Ganesha, the Indian deity associated with knowledge and wisdom, as students create a replica of this elephant-headed figure.

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

Gather all the supplies needed to bring your craft ideas to life! From paints and markers to glue and scissors, our crafts section has everything to spark creativity and make every project truly special.

  • Craft Materials
  • Heavy Paper

Steps

  • Step 1

    Ganesha is celebrated throughout India. He is worshipped by Hindus, Jains, and Buddhists, and his devotion extends beyond India. Have students learn about this four-armed elephant-headed being who is known as a remover of obstacles and a bringer of good luck. What else does he symbolize? When did he originate? Where might you see images of him? What festivals are devoted to Ganesha? Ask students to read about Ganesh Chaturthi, one of the main festivals dedicated to Ganesha.

  • Step 2

    Have students sculpt Ganesha's head and crown out of Model Magic. They can adorn his crown with gold paint and glitter glue and embellish his head with craft items such as beads or sequins. They can design his body and a background for the figure on heavy paper then cut it out and attach Ganesha's head to it.

  • Step 3

    Have students present their sculptures and talk about the symbolism and importance of Ganesha to the people of India.

Standards

SS: Culture: Create, learn, share, and adapt to culture.

SS: Culture: Through experience, observation, and reflection, identify elements of culture as well as similarities and differences among cultural groups across time and place.

Adaptations

Jainism, which originated in India, is one of the world's major religious groups (after Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, and Buddhism). Have students learn about some of its beliefs. For example the adherence to "ahimsa" (not harming life) means that not only are Jains vegetarians, but they also will not eat a root vegetable because doing so kills the plant.

Ganesh Chaturthi is a festival that celebrates Ganesha. Have students learn about this Indian festival and some of the foods and traditions associated with it.