Java And Bali (Indonesia):

The use of skull ornaments in the representations of Ganesa images is a purely Javanese conception. This happened because of Ganesa's association with Siva who, in the form of Bhairava, wears a garland of skulls (kapala-mala). This is best illustrated by Ganesa image of Bara According to the chronogram in words on its pedestal it is dated 1239 A.D-in the early Singhasari period.28 The god carried his usual attributes but a number of skulls are seen on the pedestal Ganesa is the god who removes all dangers and difficulties. In this case he is himself protected by a large Kala head against dangerous influences threatening him from the rear. The large canines and the long tongue of the Kala recall modern Balinese masks. The back hands of Ganesa are at the same time used for the claws of the Kala. Very similar arrangement of skulls is also seen in the statue from Chandi Singhasari.29 It shows the god standing with the usual attributes in his four hands. He wears elaborate jewellery in the making of which skulls are used

During 8th-9th century the Saiva cult was especially flourishing in Bali and consequently Ganesa became quite a popular deity. It is interesting to note that a majority of Balinese images of Ganesa show him in a standing posture. Besides, he was usually shown with a third eye, a characteristic of Siva. A remarkable statue from Djembaran depicts him seated and holding in his two hands a fly whisk in the right and a bowl of sweets in the left . A bronze image of Ganesa have also been found in Bali.

Ganesa is also to be seen sculptured in the group of royal personages whose statues were made posthumously. Probably, they invoked the god to remove obstacles in life after death.