When did Lord Ganesha (Ganpati Bappa) reach China?

In China’s Tang Dynasty and Mogao Caves, images/idols of Lord Ganesha have been found, reflecting the centuries-old cultural ties between India and China. Ahead of PM Modi’s visit to China, the spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy shared these photos to highlight this connection. Coincidentally, this also came during the period of Ganesh Chaturthi in India.

Mogao Caves – The center of Buddhist art and culture
During the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE), Mogao Caves emerged as a major hub of Buddhist art and culture. This was also the time when the Silk Route was being developed from Dunhuang. The UNESCO World Heritage Mogao complex houses Tang-era murals (paintings made on walls and ceilings), which depict Buddhist figures, scenes from life along the Silk Route, and early examples of Chinese cartography. These stand as evidence of secularism and flourishing Buddhism. After the decline of the Tang Dynasty and changes in trade routes, the caves gradually became isolated and eventually deteriorated during the Yuan Dynasty.

Tang Dynasty: The “Golden Age” of Chinese history
The Tang Dynasty is regarded as a “Golden Age” in Chinese history, known for its cultural, political, and economic achievements. It included a powerful army and the peak of Silk Route trade. After the fall of the Sui Dynasty, the Li family established the Tang Dynasty and turned Chang’an into a cosmopolitan hub—one of the largest cities in the world at that time. The dynasty reached its peak under Emperor Xuanzong, but after the An Lushan rebellion in the mid-8th century and the loss of territories in Central Asia, the dynasty weakened and eventually collapsed.

Trade relations with India
The Tang rulers built a stable and prosperous empire. The capital Chang’an was a rich, cosmopolitan city that attracted traders, missionaries, and artisans from across Eurasia, including Persia and India. Silk Route trade was at its peak, bringing wealth and new cultural influences into China. It was also during this period that painting, poetry, and calligraphy developed significantly.

So, it is possible that during this very time, Bappa too made his way there…

(Source: TV9 Bharatvarsh)

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