There is an interesting story behind the origin of Thoppu Karanam practiced today by many Ganesha devotees especially in South India . Thoppu Karanam is performing the prayer before Lord Ganesh by holding the hands crosswise across the breast with the fingers holding the earlobes and bending down and then getting up. This is performed several times by Lord Ganesha devotees. The original name of Thoppu Karanam was Dhorbit Karana. Legend has it that once there was a demon named Gajmukhasur. He was creating havoc around the world and started killing Devas and humans. Lord Ganesha intervened and began to fight Gajmukhasur. The fight was witnessed by Devas and Saints. During the fight Lord Ganesh took a fierce form and started swirling the Gajmukhasur in air. Frightened and to avoid getting hurt from the violent swirl, Devas and saints started bending down and performing the Thoppu Karanam. Ganesha finally killed Gajmukhasur but the Devas and saints continued perform T