Lord Ganesha गणेश

Ganesha, also called Ganapati and Vinayaka, is the elephant-headed god whom Hindus invoke before almost any undertaking. Prayers, weddings, house entries and the opening of new accounts commonly begin with a short salutation to him, since he is known as Vighnaharta, the remover of obstacles, and also as Vighnakarta, the one who sets them. He is usually shown with a large belly, one broken tusk, four arms and a small mouse as his mount, with a modak sweet in hand.

According to well-known Puranic stories he is the son of Shiva and Parvati. One widely told version has Parvati create him from the paste of her bath, and Shiva later restore him with an elephant's head after an encounter at the door. The many accounts differ in detail, which is normal for the Puranic literature. The Ganapati Atharvashirsha is an important Sanskrit text devoted to him, and the Ganesha Purana and Mudgala Purana expand on his forms.

Worship is simple and accessible. Devotees offer durva grass, red flowers and modaks, and chant Om Gam Ganapataye Namah. Wednesday is a favoured weekday. Sankashti Chaturthi, observed after the full moon, and Vinayaka Chaturthi after the new moon are monthly fasts. The largest festival is Ganesh Chaturthi, when clay images are installed at home and in public pandals and later immersed in water.