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Ganesha, Basohli miniature, c. 1730 CE — Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons
Lord Ganesha
गणेश
ഗണേശൻ
Remover of Obstacles · Lord of New Beginnings
🕉 Shaiva · Ganapatya
🦅 Mushaka (Mouse)
💛 Riddhi & Siddhi
Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed son of Shiva and Parvati, is the most widely worshipped deity in the Hindu tradition. He is Vighnaharta — the remover of obstacles. Before any undertaking — a journey, a business venture, a wedding, or a prayer — devotees invoke Ganesha first.
The most beloved version of Ganesha's birth tells of Parvati fashioning a boy from the turmeric paste of her own body and breathing life into him. When Shiva, unaware of the child, was stopped at the entrance, he severed the boy's head in anger. Stricken with remorse at Parvati's grief, Shiva sent his ganas to bring back the head of the first living being found facing north — they returned with that of an elephant. Shiva placed it upon the child and restored him to life, declaring him foremost among all devas.
Ganesha bears the head of an elephant with one tusk broken off on a rotund human body. He holds a Pasha (noose) and Ankusha (goad), carries a modak (sweet dumpling), and his trunk curves gracefully. His large ears represent deep listening. His broken tusk — used to write the Mahabharata — symbolises sacrifice in the pursuit of knowledge. His mouse vahana signifies mastery over ego and desire.
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