Which Image or Idol of Lord Ganesha Should Be Installed in Homes?

4Which Image or Idol of Lord Ganesha Should Be Installed in Homes?

While buying an idol or a picture of Ganesha, always bear in mind that
only such idols or pictures may be bought and brought home in which the
Lord’s trunk has been drawn or carved as turning to your right when you
look at it. In other words, Ganesha’s trunk should be turning to his own left
side. Such images are auspicious for homes as they attract and generate
positive energy. Images or idols in which the trunk turns towards the left
side of Ganesha are called vamamukhi murtis. They bring in peace and
prosperity because in these images, Ganesha’s chandra shakti or lunar
energy is active, and this is conducive for the material and spiritual growth
of humans.
There are two types of energies that emanate from Ganesha—lunar and
solar. The former flows from Ganesha’s left nostril and is benign and
beneficial to humans. On the contrary, the solar energy that flows from his
right nostril is too powerful and cannot be borne by ordinary mortals and
households. Therefore, the dakshinamukhi murti, as opposed to the
vamamukhi murti is installed in temples, as Ganesha’s solar energy is
assimilated through regular pujas, rituals and observations, which are
normally not possible in households.
The dakshinamukhi murtis represent the direction of Yamaloka (the
abode of the Lord of death, Yamaraj) and hence attract negative energy
which can disturb the peace of a home. However, such results are possible
only when the idol is carved out or painted following the traditional tenets
of the Shilpa Shastra. The idols and pictures of modern times do not have
similar effects; nonetheless, one can follow the thumb rule about the trunk
when choosing Ganesha’s image or idol.