Lord Ganesha adorns 20,000 Indonesian Rupies

Lord Ganesha is one of the best-known and most worshipped deities in the Hindu pantheon. Devotion to Ganesha is widely diffused and extends to Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia (Java and Bali), Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Bangladesh, Fiji, Guyana, Mauritius and Trinidad and Tobago. 

Lord Ganesha is considered an embodiment of wisdom, widely revered as the remover of obstacles and thought to bring good luck. 

Hindu mythology identifies him as the son of Lord Shiva (the Protector) and Goddess Parvati (motherhood).

Indonesia is touted as a country where more than 80% of the population are Muslims and the balance Hindus and Christians. However, despite the religious majority, you will come across plenty of Hindu motifs everywhere in the country.

The Asian financial crisis was one of the worst ever to hit Asia beginning in July 1997 and raised fears of a worldwide economic meltdown due to financial contagion. Several Asian currencies were getting devalued and with several failed attempts to stabilise Indonesia's currency, Lord Ganesha image was hailed as the remover of obstacles and bringer of good fortune.

In 1998 the 20,000 rupiah note with an inscription of Lord Ganesha alongside a picture of Ki Hajar Dewantara in the front and the backside of the note has a picture of a classroom with children studying, was issued.

That is one of the arguments put forward on the issuance of this unique currency.

This was my gift to my dear father on his 80th Birthday.

It now adorns my wall. The numbers are running numbers.