The Hindu God Ganesh - Who is this Elephant Headed Deity Anyway? - Kashgar Tribal Artifacts - Life for the Modern Nomad | Handmade Jewellery, ethnic handicrafts, antique furniture The Hindu God Ganesh - Who is this Elephant Headed Deity Anyway? Added over 9 years ago Ganesh is one of the best known and loved deities in the Hindu pantheon of gods, and indeed is the most recognized of the Hindu gods outside of India. But who is this elephant headed fellow, and why is he so popular? Ganesh (also spelled Ganesa or Ganesha and known as Ganapati, Vinayaka and Pillaiyar) is the Lord of Good Fortune who provides prosperity, fortune and success. He is the Lord of Beginnings and the Remover of Obstacles of both material and spiritual kinds. Interestingly, he also places obstacles in the path of those who need to be checked. Because of these attributes, Ganesh is widely revered by almost all castes and in all parts of India, regardless of any other spiritual affiliations. His image is found everywhere, in many different forms, and he is invoked before the undertaking of any task.

Ganesh is also associated with the first Chakra, or energy wheel, which underpins all of the other Chakras and represents conservation, survival and material well-being. He is considered to be a patron of the arts and sciences and of letters. Devotees believe that if Ganesha is worshiped, he grants success, prosperity and protection against adversity. In a lesser known role, Ganesh is also the destroyer of vanity, selfishness and pride. The attributes and characteristics of Ganesh have evolved over many centuries of Indian history. Several of the sacred Hindu texts relate myths and anecdotes associated with his birth and exploits and help to explain his distinct iconography. He is popularly held to be the son of Shiva and Parvati, although the Puranas (ancient Hindu and Jain texts narrating the history of the Universe and describing Hindu cosmology, philosophy and geography) disagree about his birth, stating that he may have been created by Shiva, or by Parvati, or by Shiva and Parvati, or may simply have been discovered by Shiva and Parvati.

It is a little known fact outside of India that Ganesh has a brother Skanda , who is worshiped particularly in southern India as the embodiment of grace, bravery and love of virtuous deeds. Iconic representations of Ganesh show considerable variation, his form changing over time from that of a simple elephant in earliest depictions to the Ganesh we know today, typically having the head of an elephant and a large rotund belly. He is generally shown with four arms, although the number may vary from two to sixteen. When in the four-armed configuration he usually holds his own broken tusk in his lower-right hand and a laddoo sweet in his lower-left hand which he tastes with his trunk. An axe or goad is held in the right upper hand and a noose is held in the left upper hand. In a modern variation, the lower-right hand does not hold the broken tusk but is turned toward the viewer in a gesture of protection and fearlessness (the abhaya mudra).

Each item carries it's own important spiritual significance and they (and the number of arms used to carry them) may vary to include a water lily, mace, discus, rosary, bowl of sweets, musical instrument, spear or staff, depending on the specific symbology intended by the artist. Ganesh may be portrayed as standing, seated, dancing , crawling as a child (with his favourite laddoo sweet in one hand), or even seated on his mother's knee. When seated, he may be crossed legged or with one leg tucked under him in the position known as "royal ease". His mount or vehicle is usually the humble mouse, often shown at his feet looking adoringly up at him and holding his laddoo sweet in his paws. The combination of elephant and mouse represents the removal of all obsticals of any size and the ability of Ganesh to control even the most unpredicatable of creatures and situations. There exist a large number of legends, myths and stories relating to Ganesh and his appearance, all reflecting the wealth of symbolism that attends him. The most famous is how he came to have an elephant's head.

It is said that the goddess Parvati, wishing to bathe, created a boy and assigned him the task of guarding the entrance to her bathroom. When her husband Shiva returned from one his interminable battles, he was denied access by Ganesh and killed the boy in a fit of petulant rage, striking his head off with his sword. Parvati was understandably upset and so to soothe her, Shiva sent out his warriors to fetch the head of the first dead creature they found, which happened to be that of an elephant. The head was attached to the body of the boy and he was brought back to life. The elephant's head symbolizes unmatched wisdom and the gaining of knowledge through reflection and listening. And because of his role as his mother's doorkeeper, he is often placed facing doorways to keep out the unworthy. Some of the stories surrounding Ganesh are confliciting in nature, for example how his tusk came to be broken. One popular story is that he broke it off himself in order to write down the Mahabharata , one of the world's longest epic poems, as it was dictated to him by the sage Vyasa.

In the process of writing, Ganesh's pen failed and so he snapped off his tusk as a replacement in order that the transcription not be interrupted. The broken tusk therefore symbolises sacrifice and reiterates Ganesh's role as patron of the arts and of letters. However, another version of the broken-tusk story emphasises Ganesh's loyalty and devotion. In this account, his father Shiva decided to take a nap and asked Ganesh to guard him. A proud Brahmin warrior named Parashuram came to visit Shiva but was stopped from waking him by Ganesh. Parashuram was furious and fought with him, finally throwing his ax at his head. Ganesh stopped the ax with his tusk which broke, giving him the nickname Eka-danta, or "One Toothed." Another common icon associated with Ganesh is that of the snake. According to one Purana, Ganesha simply wrapped the serpent king Vasuki around his neck. Ganesh may also be portrayed using the snake as a sacred thread, aloft in both hands, coiled at his ankles or as a throne. However the best known story of all concerns Ganesh wrapping the snake around his stomach as a belt.

According to the legend, on one of his birthdays, Ganesh went from house to house accepting offerings of sweet puddings. Out on the road his mount the mouse stumbled, having seen a snake and become frightened, with the result that Ganesh tumbled off. His stomach burst open and all the sweet puddings fell out. Unwilling to leave them on the ground for all to see, Ganesh stuffed them back into his stomach and, catching hold of the snake, tied it around his belly. Seeing this, the moon in the sky had a hearty laugh at his expense. Annoyed, Ganesh pulled off one of his tusks and hurled it at the moon. Once again, the symbology behind the mouse, snake, Ganesh's belly and its relationship to the moon on his birthday is highly significant, his belly representing as it does the entire cosmos which is held together by the cosmic energy of the snake kundalini. With the association of benevloence, intelligence and strength that comes with his elephant countenance and the delightful stories that surround his creation, it is easy to understand why Ganesh is revered so highy in his homeland. But why is he also loved throughout the world?

From the 10th century onwards Ganesh became the principal deity of the traders and merchants who went out of India seeking commercial trade. In later centuries many Hindus migrated to other countries and took their culture, including Ganesh, with them. Buddhism has a particular affinity for Ganesh, representing as he does the kindest of principals associated with personal sucess. And since the 20th Century, Ganesh has become a favourite mascot of Western countries, partially because of the westerner's love of elephants but also because of the rewards Ganesh promises when present to oversee daily affairs. Ganesh has even made appearances on the iconic television show The Simpsons - on one particularly memorable occasion Homer tries to offer him a peanut and is admonished by Apu for his irreverence. Ganesh is also often associated with the goddess of luck and prosperity, Lakshmi, and the two form a typical motif on many protective Indian amulets, providing a double whammy to the wearer in the form of success and wealth married together. Who is Ganesh?

| Ganesh Tree and Plant Health Care Ganesh is an extremely popular God in India The elephant-deity riding a mouse — has become one of the commonest mnemonics for anything associated with Hinduism. This not only suggests the importance of Ganesh, but also shows how popular and pervasive this deity is in the minds of the masses Ganesh is the Ever-Blissful, elephant-headed deva (god) who is lovingly worshipped and revered by millions of people worldwide. Although Ganesh is known through the Hindu religion, Shri Ganesh transcends religion and is loved by many non-Hindu’s. Ganesh, is the God of Good Luck and Auspiciousness and is the Dispeller of problems and obstacles. He is also worshipped as the God of wisdom, wealth, health, celibacy, fertility and happiness. He is also the God of education, knowledge and wisdom, literature, and the fine arts. The son of Shiva and Parvati, Ganesh has an elephantine countenance with a curved trunk and big ears, and a huge pot-bellied body of a human being. He is the Lord of success and destroyer of evils and obstacles.

He is also worshipped as the god of education, knowledge, wisdom and wealth. In fact, Ganesh is one of the five prime Hindu deities (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and Durga being the other four) whose idolatry is glorified as the panchayatana puja. Origin of Ganesh: Perhaps the most popular story regarding Ganesha’s origin is the one derived from the Shiva Purana. Mother Parvati once wanted to take a bath and created a boy from the dirt of Her own body, asking him to stand as a guard outside while She bathed. In the meantime Lord Shiva returned home to find a stranger at His door, preventing Him from entering. In anger, Shiva cut off the boy’s head, upon which Parvati was stricken with great grief. In order to console Her, Shiva sent out his troops to fetch the head of anyone found sleeping with his head pointing to the north. They found an elephant sleeping thus and brought back its head. Shiva then attached the elephantine head to the body of the boy and revived him.

He named the boy Ganapati or commander of His troops, and granted Him a boon that anyone would have to worship Him (Ganesha) before beginning any undertaking. Mystery of Ganesh Once there was neither Being nor Nonbeing. There was neither Form nor Formlessness. Then, That which was hidden within Itself, That One, stirring, emerging, coming to be. From Itself to the Formless to the Form. Immutable, changeless, everywhere, pervading all, yet not physically such is the mystery. Suddenly an ancient note piercing the darkness. A song whose birth stirred the slumbering, summoning an eternal mystery to awaken. Emerging from deep within the hidden cave, the human heart, Ganesha’s truth flows from the icecave of the infinite. Housed within our gated dwelling, Ganesha the guest loved and longed for. That which has no form, can take a form. That which has no name, can take a name. From the formless to form, and back again and again and again. The wheel of time gathers speed, and somewhere between fact and legend, vision and myth, we ask, “Who is Ganesha? There are those who lovingly sing his praises.

There are those who worship and adore him. There are those who represent him in art and literature. There are those who tell stories about him. There are those who chant his glory. There are those who seek his darshana. There are those who invoke and invite his blessings. The thinkers think, the scholars scholasticise, the devotees worship. But what is Ganesh’s hidden meaning? There is a long and hoary lineage of seekers, scholars, sycophants, who have attempted to plumb the mysteries of the elephant-headed one. Anthropologists, Artists, religious Aspirants, Historians, Indologists, Linguists, Philosophers, Religionists, Sociologists, and contemporary devotees of Ganesha are but some of the most recent representatives of this enquiry. Each group has attempted, and continues to attempt, to make sense of this enormously popular deity. Seemingly incongruous facts simultaneously coincide. Ganesha embodies: An enormous popularity that transcends sectarian and territorial limits; a seemingly rather late, yet dramatic, full-blown appearance into a religious pantheon; a confusing, conflicting, yet interesting and intriguing mythology; and an elephant’s head atop a plump human body!

To further complicate the picture is the fact that the physical representation of Ganesh offers more iconographic variations than does that of any other Indian deity. Couple this with the fact that Ganesha literature is rife with a seemingly endless number of stories on an unexpectedly limited number of themes. O Ganesha, who are you really? Tell the others what you want, tell them anything, but between you and me, who are you really? What Ganesh Stands For Ganesha has four arms which symbolize his status as the universal ruler and establish his power over the four categories of beings – those who can live only in water, those who can live in water and on earth, those who can live only on earth and those who can fly in air. Significance of four : It was god Ganesh who instituted the four castes and the four Vedas. One hymn in Sri Bhagavat Tattva , says: ‘In heaven, this child will establish the predominance over gods, on earth over men, in the nether world over anti-gods and serpents. He causes the four principles of the elements to move and is therefore four armed.

In one hand, he holds a shell, in another a discus, in the third a club or a sweet and in the fourth a lotus.’ Thus, all aspects of Ganesh’s form are filled with symbolic meanings. Significance of the Ganesh Form Ganesh’s head symbolizes the Atman or the soul, which is the ultimate supreme reality of human existence, and his human body signifies Maya or the earthly existence of human beings. The elephant head denotes wisdom and its trunk represents Om , the sound symbol of cosmic reality. In his upper right hand Ganesh holds a goad, which helps him propel mankind forward on the eternal path and remove obstacles from the way. The noose in Ganesh’s left hand is a gentle implement to capture all difficulties. The broken tusk that Ganesh holds like a pen in his lower right hand is a symbol of sacrifice, which he broke for writing the Mahabharata . The rosary in his other hand suggests that the pursuit of knowledge should be continuous. The laddoo (sweet) he holds in his trunk indicates that one must discover the sweetness of the Atman. His fan-like ears convey that he is all ears to our petition. The snake that runs round his waist represents energy in all forms.

And he is humble enough to ride the lowest of creatures, a mouse. The Vehicle of Ganesh Sathya Sai has said, “The mouse is the vehicle of Vinayaka. What is the inner significance of the mouse? The mouse has a keen sense of smell. The mouse is a symbol of the attachment to worldly tendencies (vaasanas). It is well known that if you want to catch a mouse, you place a strong-smelling edible inside the mouse-trap. The mouse also symbolizes the darkness of night. The mouse can see well in the dark. As Vinayaka’s vehicle the mouse signifies an object that leads man from darkness to light. The Vinayaka-principle, thus, means that which removes all the bad qualities, practices and thoughts in men and inculcates good qualities, good conduct and good thoughts. Search Ganesha is a God of Good Luck in Hindu - ImNepal.com ImNepal.com Home » Articles about Nepal » Ganesha is a God of Good Luck in Hindu Sponsored Links Who is the Hindu God or Goddess of good luck ? Who is the Indian Community’ God or Goddess of good luck ? Who is the Nepalese community’s God or Goddess of good luck ?

Ganesha is a God of Good Luck in Hindu Ganesh is regarded as the benevolent and beneficiary god of good luck. He is the embodiment of wisdom. He is a wise, generous and kind god. He is the favourite son of Lord Shiva. He is supposed to remove all obstacles. So, he is invoked at the beginning of all important enterprises. He is a voracious eater. He is fond of laddus (special kind of round sweets). The rat is his vehicle. In one hand he holds a conch, in another a discus, in the third a club, and in the fourth a water lily. He is depicted as a short, pot-bellied god with four hands and a one-tusked elephant head. The birthday of the elephant-headed god is celebrated on the fourth bright lunar day of Bhadra (August-September). This is called Ganesh Chaturthi in Hindi and Chauth Chand in the local language of the Terai. It is celebrated with great gaiety and fervour. He is worshipped on this auspicious day to remove all obstacles. He enjoys such a prestigious position in the hierarchy of gods that his name must be invoked first before any deity is worshipped.

Legend There is a legend which explains that Parvati once ordered the boy to guard her bathroom as she was taking a bath inside. A visitor named Jalandhar came to see her because he was told that she was more beautiful than Brinda, his wife. He wanted to confirm it but the boy refused his entry inside. Jalandhar lied the boy that he was Parvati’s husband. The boy informed her of his arrival. Then she appeared with a jug of water to wash her husband’s feet. No sooner had he seen her, he fainted from the glory of her beauty. Lord Shiva came to know this and rushed for his wife’s rescue. The boy did not allow him to enter. Shiva became furious and chopped off his head. When Parvati saw this, she became angry. Shiva consoled her and promised to restore the boy’s life. Shiva sent a messenger to bring him the head of the first living being that he would come across. The messenger brought back the head of a white elephant. Then Shiva fixed the elephant’s head onto the body of the dead boy. Thus, Ganesh became elephant-headed deity since then.

There is an age-old tradition in Nepal, particularly in the Terai area that no one should see the moon empty handed on the Ganesh Chauth-night. Ganesh Chauth, the fourth clay of the lunar fortnight in September, is celebrated with great pomp and show throughout the Terai to commemorate the legendary birthday of Ganesh. It is celebrated in every school and college because he is regarded as the god of learning and wisdom. Women celebrate this festival after fasting the whole day. They worship him with utmost reverence and regard and take nothing before the rising of the moon. They regard the moon as the symbol of beauty. The face of a beautiful woman is generally compared with the moon. It has been a long literary tradition in all societies. So the moon becomes the centre of attraction for women. They worship the moon with fruits and sweets. Dishes of khir (pudding) and puri as well as different fruits and sweets are served. They also feed their friends, relatives and neighbours. They forget all sorts of malice and jealousy. More than a family festival Ganesh Chauth is a social festival which strengthens communal feeling. Although man has stepped on the surface of the moon, it is still worshipped as a god.

It would not be exaggeration to say that man still has an undying faith in age-old fairs and festivals. This religious faith still has a profound significance in the life of the people even in this scientific age. The moon is also the symbol of eternal beauty and chastity. It is also considered very soothing and tool. Everybody loves the moonlit night. Lovers are specially fond of moon light. It is a suitable occasion for dating and dancing for them. I hey also get inspiration, solace and peace from it. It is supposed to arouse romantic feelings in young boys and girls. Meanwhile, the moon gives pains to the forlorn fair ladies whose husbands are far from their houses. So, they do not like the otherwise romantically appreciated moon. Sponsored Links Ganesh is worshipped with utmost regards by all Hindus of the world. There are various forms of Ganesh like Mahaganesh, Balaganesh, Heramba Ganesh, Veera Ganesh, Vallabai Ganesh, Sampathya Ganesh and Lakshmi Ganesh. Ganesh is offered flowers, fruits, sweets and incense in the Terai whereas he is offered eggs in the Kathmandu valley.

The temple dedicated to Ganesh in Nepal Terai is called Vinayak. There are many temples of Vinayak in Kathmandu Valley such as Surya Vinayak, Jal Vinayak, Kamal Vinayak, etc. Surya Vinayak is very famous. It is situated on a hillside which is a good picnic spot too. It is very remarkable here to note that Ganesh in Kathmandu Valley is non-vegetarian whereas Ganesh in the Nepal Terai is pure vegetarian. Ganesh is popularly and widely known as Vignaharta who removes all the ill omens and obstacles. The legend says that it was Ganesh who wrote out the Mahabharata, dictated by the sage Vyasa. That is why writers worship him as the Elephant-headed god greatest author. He is evoked by the Hindu at the beginning of every enterprise. Ganesh is both the fierce god of nature and the gentle god of culture.

Ganesh presides over the process of cultural evolution, integral to which is the awareness that our fate is in dissoluble lined to that of all other beings; we must realize that, in destroying the forest and enslaving their people, we only poison and enfeeble ourselves (Rangit Hoskot, 1997). Ganesh is the presiding deity of every Hindu religious rite and ritual. The rat is his vehicle which bears a great significance. It is an earthly animal; its head and body almost touch the earth. It symbolizes the primitive intelligence. The elephant, on the other hand, is regarded as symbol of strength and wisdom. Human beings also exhibit certain characteristics of the rat and those of the elephant. We all inherit and imitate some characteristics of the rat such as restlessness, movements, etc. Like the rat, we all are guided by our impulses. An elephant, on the other hand, is normally calm and cool, majestic and powerful. In spite of dormant faculties struggling for expression in man, he often prefers to remain in the low consciousness of the rat as an impulsive nervous fearful being. But he has the capacity of growing up in power and wisdom of the higher animal, i.e.

the elephant. Ganesh is also the symbol of the middle path . One of his legs is placed on the earth and the other leg is lifted and placed on the other thigh. This suggests and symbolises that the middle path is the most suitable for further evolution for the majority of mankind. Similarly, it also suggests that man should be able to accept pleasure and pain equally. Ganesh is the symbol of the deity of obstacle remover. His true devotees, therefore, worship him first to please him. If he is pleased, all the obstacles and difficulties are removed in no time. In a Nepalese leaf-book of the 5th century, there is a miniature of Ganesh as described above. The priest, after meditating on this image, should recite the Ganapati-hridaya mantra which begins with “Nomao Bhagvate Aryaganapati” The mantra is believed to be powerful when it is recited by the priest or worn as an amulet. Ganesh causes and removes all sorts of obstacles. He withdraws obstacles or bestows success. He fulfills all desires. photo by: astrogems.com (1) and dailybackgrounds.com (2) Writer: Dr.

Ram Dayal Rakesh God of Good Luck Hindu God of Good Luck India God of Good Luck Nepal God of Good Luck Hinduism If you enjoyed this article, want to get more like this, please drop your email id and name here in the given box. We will send you mail. [email-posts-subscribers namefield=”YES” desc=””] The Freethinker - The voice of atheism since 1881 » Seventeen Hindus drown while idolising Ganesh, the elephant-headed god of good luck Barry Duke , Editor Sat 21 Sep 2013 / 23 Seventeen Hindus drown while idolising Ganesh, the elephant-headed god of good luck DURING a ceremony in which hordes of Hindu devotees plunged into a river to immerse clay statues of Ganesh, the elephant-headed god, a number were swept away in a strong current. It is reported here that rescuers found 17 bodies of devotees who were drowned in the Yamuna River during a religious festival in the Indian capital at the end of a 10-day festival.

The bodies were recovered a day after thousands of devotees thronged the river banks celebrating the birth of Ganesh, who is widely worshipped as the god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune. Millions of Hindus install Ganesha statues in colorfully decorated homes and specially erected temporary structures across India and worship them before immersing them in lakes, rivers and the sea. It was discovered by a volunteer at a the Shri Guru Ravidass Temple, in Harrison Road, Belgrave, in a big bag of spuds. Vinod Patel, organiser of the recent Ganesha Chaturthi celebrations, said: This potato is a miracle. It is a sign from Lord Ganesh that what we are doing is right. It is a blessing from him. The potato was then put on display next to a 9ft statue of the Hindu god at the temple. Vinod said the potato was discovered by volunteer Jasvanti Varia as she prepared to make a potato curry to help feed the worshippers. Somewhere in this lot is a potato that looks like Ganesh Jasvanti, of Hamilton, Leicester, pictured above, said: I put my hand into a 25kg bag of potatoes and pulled this one out.

I looked down and saw it resembled Lord Ganesh. I was not sure about what I was seeing so I asked other people in the kitchen and they agreed with me. I feel very special to have been chosen to be the one who found it. Myself and my family have already prayed to the statue but now we are making sure we pay our respects to the new image of Lord Ganesh. The giant Leicester Ganesh Vinod said the festival, which marks the birthday of Ganesh, worshipped as the god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune, was due to end on September 18, but was being extended. He said: We cannot ignore what has happened here. We feel we have to keep the statue and potato here to allow people to pay their respects. Vanita Patel, of Groby, said she had heard about the potato and made a special trip to the temple. She said: It is truly a miracle and a very positive sign. Good things should come now. Shailesh Patel, of Belgrave, said he had paid his respects to the new image of Lord Ganesh. It is remarkable and undeniable. I am glad I am able to pray here.

Later the statue and the potato were immersed into the water at Clacton-on-Sea, to symbolise Ganesh’s return to his parents and spiritual home. Fortunately, on this occasion, no-one drowned. Vinod said he believed the nine-foot statue of Ganesh was the biggest in the country. By the end of the festival, we estimate up to 50,000 people will have been here to give their prayers. In May, more than 80 people visited a small temple at a catering company in Leicester, where an aubergine that resembled Lord Ganesh was discovered . Praful Visram, owner of 4 Seasons Catering, in Buckland Road, Northfields, placed the vegetable in a small temple he had at work for staff to pray in. The Ganesh aubergine Mantra & Shlokas: God Of Good Luck Sri Ganesha God Of Good Luck Sri Ganesha Ganesha – Elephant-Headed God Sri Ganesh Ganesh is the Ever-Blissful, elephant-headed deva (god) who is lovingly worshipped and revered by millions of people worldwide.

Although Ganesh is known through the Hindu religion, Shri Ganesh transcends religion and is loved by many non-Hindu’s. Ganapati is worshipped by both Vaishnavas (devotees of Vishnu) and Saivites (devotees of Shiva). It is for this Transcendent, All-Embracing, Auspicious Lord of the Ganas, Sri Ganesh, for whom this site is dedicated. Enjoy and much Peace to you! The son of Shiva and Parvati, Shree Ganesh, is the God of Good Luck and Auspiciousness and is the Dispeller of problems and obstacles. He is also worshipped as the God of wisdom, wealth, health, celibacy, fertility and happiness. In the panchayatana puja, Ganesh is glorified as one of the five prime Hindu deities (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Shakti and Ganesha) whose worship confers immortality and liberation.

Ganesh Chaturthi – Vinayaka Chaturthi Devotees of Ganesha are known as ‘Ganapatyas’, and Ganesh Chaturthi (also known as Ganesha Chaturthi or Vinayaka Chaturthi) is the holy festival that celebrates His Glory through India by all Hindu’s. Vinayak Chaturthi is celebrated on the 4th day of the bright half of Bhadrapad. This festival is honored as the birthday of Sri Ganesh. Ganapati transcends all sects and views and is equally worshipped by both Saivites and Vaishnavas because Ganesh is viewed as an Incarnation of both Vishnu and Shiva. Ganesha is even worshipped and revered among Buddhists and Jains. Mystery of Ganesh Once there was neither Being nor Nonbeing. There was neither Form nor Formlessness. Then, That which was hidden within Itself, That One, stirring, emerging, coming to be. From Itself to the Formless to the Form. Immutable, changeless, everywhere, pervading all, yet not physically such is the mystery. Suddenly an ancient note piercing the darkness.

A song whose birth stirred the slumbering, summoning an eternal mystery to awaken. Emerging from deep within the hidden cave, the human heart, Ganesha’s truth flows from the icecave of the infinite. Housed within our gated dwelling, Ganesha the guest loved and longed for. That which has no form, can take a form. That which has no name, can take a name. From the formless to form, and back again and again and again. The wheel of time gathers speed, and somewhere between fact and legend, vision and myth, we ask, “Who is Ganesha? There are those who lovingly sing his praises. There are those who worship and adore him. There are those who represent him in art and literature. There are those who tell stories about him. There are those who chant his glory. There are those who seek his darshana. There are those who invoke and invite his blessings. The thinkers think, the scholars scholasticise, the devotees worship. But what is Ganesha’s hidden meaning? There is a long and hoary lineage of seekers, scholars, sycophants, who have attempted to plumb the mysteries of the elephant-headed one.

Anthropologists, Artists, religious Aspirants, Historians, Indologists, Linguists, Philosophers, Religionists, Sociologists, and contemporary devotees of Ganesha are but some of the most recent representatives of this enquiry. Each group has attempted, and continues to attempt, to make sense of this enormously popular deity. Seemingly incongruous facts simultaneously coincide. Ganesha embodies: An enormous popularity that transcends sectarian and territorial limits; a seemingly rather late, yet dramatic, full-blown appearance into a religious pantheon; a confusing, conflicting, yet interesting and intriguing mythology; and an elephant’s head atop a plump human body! To further complicate the picture is the fact that the physical representation of Ganesha offers more iconographic variations than does that of any other Indian deity. Couple this with the fact that Ganesha literature is rife with a seemingly endless number of stories on an unexpectedly limited number of themes. O Ganesha, who are you really? Tell the others what you want, tell them anything, but between you and me, who are you really?

(Couresty Professor Grimes) What Ganesh Stands For Ganesha has four arms which symbolize his status as the universal ruler and establish his power over the four categories of beings – those who can live only in water, those who can live in water and on earth, those who can live only on earth and those who can fly in air. Significance of four : It was god Ganesha who instituted the four castes and the four Vedas. One hymn in Sri Bhagavat Tattva , says: ‘In heaven, this child will establish the predominance over gods, on earth over men, in the nether world over anti-gods and serpents. He causes the four principles of the elements to move and is therefore four armed. In one hand, he holds a shell, in another a discus, in the third a club or a sweet and in the fourth a lotus.’ Thus, all aspects of Ganesh’s form are filled with symbolic meanings. The Vehicle of Ganesh “The mouse is the vehicle of Vinayaka. What is the inner significance of the mouse? The mouse has a keen sense of smell. The mouse is a symbol of the attachment to worldly tendencies (vaasanas).

It is well known that if you want to catch a mouse, you place a strong-smelling edible inside the mouse-trap. The mouse also symbolizes the darkness of night. The mouse can see well in the dark. As Vinayaka’s vehicle the mouse signifies an object that leads man from darkness to light. The Vinayaka-principle, thus, means that which removes all the bad qualities, practices and thoughts in men and inculcates good qualities, good conduct and good thoughts.” What does “Vinayaka” Mean Sathya Sai Baba said: “Who is Vinayaka? In the sloka beginning with the words, Suklaambaradharam Vishnum, only the form of the deity is described. But there is another inner meaning for the name “Vinayaka”. Suklaambaradharam means one who is clad in white. Vishnum means he is all-pervading. Sasivarnam means his complexion is grey like that of ash. Chathurbhujam means he has four arms. Prasannavadanam means he has always a pleasing mien. Sarvavighnopasaanthaye means for the removal of all obstacles.

Dhyaayeth, meditate (on him). Vinayaka is the deity who removes all bad qualities, instills good qualities and confers peace on the devotee who meditates on him Vinayaka means that he is totally master of himself. He has no master above him. He does not depend on anyone. He is also called Ganapathi. This term means he is the lord of the ganas – a class of divine entities. This term also means that he is the master of the intellect and discriminating power in man. He possesses great intelligence and knowledge. Such knowledge issues from a pure and sacred mind.” Ganesh’s Intellect “What is the esoteric meaning of Ganesha’s elephant head? The elephant is noted for its acute intelligence. Ganesha’s elephant head symbolizes sharpness of intellect and the highest power of discrimination. Because of the purity of his intellect, Vinayaka is also called the giver of buddhi (intellect). He responds to the prayers of devotees and hence is known as Siddhi Vinayaka (the Vinayaka who grants what is sought). In a forest, when an elephant moves through the jungle, it clears the way for others to follow.

Likewise, by invoking Ganesha, the path is cleared for our undertakings. The elephant’s foot is so large that when it moves it can stamp out the footprints of any other animal. Here, again, the symbolic meaning is that all obstacles in the way will be removed when Ganesha is accorded the place of honor. The journey of life is made smoother and happier by the grace of Ganesha. When an elephant moves among the bushes, its path turns into a regular passage for all animals. It is thus a pacesetter for all animals.” Similarly, Ganesha clears the path leading to Wisdom, Intellect, and Inner Peace. Two Shaktis Of Ganesh Ganesha has two Siddhis (symbolically represented as wives or consorts): Siddhi (success) and Riddhi (prosperity). Wherever there is Ganesh, there is Success and Prosperity~ Wherever there is Success and Prosperity~ there is Sri Ganesh. Ganesh as the Scribe Ganesha is accepted as the god of learning and the Patron Deity of letters and scriptures. Ganesh’s tusk is used by him in the writing of the epic, the Mahabharata.

When Vyasa wanted to compose the Mahabharata, Brahma suggested Ganesha be his scribe. Vyasa agreed and Ganesha brought his broken tusk as a writing quill. Vyasa dictated the entire epic in verse. Ganesha recorded every word for Gods and men alike. 32 Forms of Ganesha in Agamic Scriptures 1: Baala Ganapati – Red colored image of a four armed Ganesha. 2: Dharuna Vinayakar: Red colored image of an eight armed Ganesha. 3: Bhakti Vinayakar: Grey colored image of four armed Ganesh. 4: Veera Vinayakar: Red colored image of 16 armed Ganapati. 5: Shakti Ganapati: Red colored image of 4 armed Ganapati, seated with his consort to his left. 6: Dwija Vinayakar: White colored image of four faced Ganesha with 4 arms. 7: Siddhi Vinayakar: Golden colored image of four armed Ganapati. 8: Ucchishta Ganapati: Blue colored image of six armed Ganapati with his consort.

9: Vigna Vinayakar: Gold colored image of eight armed Ganapati. 10: Kshipra Ganapati: Red colored image of four armed Ganesha bearing a ratna kumbham. 11: Heramba Vinayakar: Black colored image of ten armed Ganesha with five faces, seated on a lion. 12: Lakshmi Vinayakar: White colored image of eight armed Ganesh with two consorts. 13: Makara Vinayakar: Red colored image of Ganesha with a third eye, 10 arms, bearing a ratna kumbham, with his consort. 14: Vijaya Vinayakar: Red colored image of 4 armed Ganesha on the mooshika mount. 15: Nritta Vinayakar: Gold colored image of Ganesh in a dance posture. 16: Urdhva Vinayakar: Gold colored image of six armed Ganesha with his consort. 17: Ekakshara Vinayakar: Red colored image of Ganesha with a third eye, seated on a lotus.

18: Vara Vinayakar: Red colored image of 4 armed Vinayaka with a third eye. 19: Dhryakshara Vinayaka: Gold colored image of four armed Vinayakar, decorated with Chaamara ear rings. 20: Kshipraprasaada Vinayakar: Red colored image of six armed Ganapati. 21: Haridra Vinayakar: Yellow colored image of four armed Ganapati. 22: Ekadhanta Vinayakar: Blue colored image of four armed Ganapati. 23: Srishti Vinayakar: Red colored image of four armed Ganapati seated on his mooshika mount. 24: Utthanda Vinayakar: Red colored image of 10 armed Ganesha with his consort to his left. 25: Ranamochana Vinayaka: Crystal image of four armed Vinayakar. 26: Dundi Vinayakar: Four armed image of Ganesh bearing a tusk, a garland, an axe and a gem studded vessel.

27: Dwimukha Vinayakar: Red colored image of Ganesha with two faces and four arms. 28: Trimukha Vinayakar: Red colored image of Ganesha with three faces and six arms seated on a golden lotus. 29: Simha Vinayakar: White colored image of Ganesh with eight arms (with an arm bearing a lions face). 30: Yoga Vinayakar: Red colored image of Ganesha in the posture of a yogi. 31: Durga Vinayakar: Red colored image of Ganesha with eight arms. 32: Sankatahara Vinayakar: Red colored image of four armed Ganesha clothed in blue, seated on a lotus peetham with his consort to his left.

CUchista Ganapathy Mantra September 14, 2009 by Mahaganesha A Powerful Chant To Ganesha Removes Obstacles Manifest a global conciousness of Heaven on Earth OM GHE GHE GHE Ooh-CHIS-TA GA-NA-PATh- A-YAY When worshiping Lord Ganesha, standing before His shrine, devotees may tap the temples gently three times with the knuckles, fists closed and arms crossed in front of the face. Esoterically, this action is said to stimulate certain nerves within the head to catalyze the flow of amrita (nectar) from the sahasrara chakra at the crown of the head, giving abhisheka (ritual bath) to Lord Ganesha, Who sits on the muladhara chakra at the base of the spine. It is a gesture of submission, beseeching forgiveness for errors, remembrance of Ganesha’s presence and supplication of the grace of this loving God. IT is said that Amritakumbha or the Pot of Nectar , Ganesha receives a bath whenever a worshiper knocks his temples with arms crossed (Shankhaprahati ) .

The amrita flows from the sahasrara down to His seat at the muladhara’s base. Posted by When Do Hindus Worship Ganesha? | Our Everyday Life When Do Hindus Worship Ganesha? by Ian Moore Ganesh is a popular Hindu god. Related Articles Who Leads the Hindus in Worship? In Hinduism, Ganesh is an elephant headed god who is known as the remover of obstacles. He is also the son of the god Shiva and goddess Parvati. He is worshipped for good luck and is one of the most popular gods in Hinduism. Although Ganesh can be worshipped every day, there are certain days that are more auspicious than others. It is believed that his connection to Earth are strongest on these days. Ganesh Chaturthi Festival Ganesh Chaturthi is not only the biggest Ganesh festival, but it is also one of the most popular festivals in India. The exact date of the festival varies each year and is based off the Hindu lunar calendar. During this time, Ganesh worshippers honor statues of their beloved deity, say prayers and participate in parades. The celebration is most popular in Maharashtra, where Hindus believe Ganesh ruled for a period of time.

Before Important Events Ganesh is the bearer of good fortune. Thus, he is invoked before any business transaction or project is started. It is also common for new business owners to worship Ganesh before the first stone is laid down. He is also known as the patron of writers because he is attributed to writing the Hindu epic "The Mahabarata." Thus, writers will pay homage to Lord Ganesh before beginning a writing project. Tuesdays and Thursdays In Hinduism, each day of the week is represented by a different god or goddess. Ganesh happens to be worshiped on Tuesdays and Fridays. During these days, Hindus will go to the temple early in the morning and offer sweets and fruit to Ganesh. Priests will perform a "Puja" or a ceremony dedicated to a Ganesh shrine. Some devout Ganesh worshipers may even choose to fast on these days. Monthly Chaturthi Every month, the fourth day after a new and full moon is worshiped as "Chaturthi." According to Ganesh worshipers, the fourth day after a full moon is called Chaturthi Sankashti.

If this day falls on a Tuesday, it is known as Chaturthi Angaraki and is considered highly auspicious. The fourth day after a new moon is called Chaturthi Vinayaki. During these days, fasts and many rituals are observed by Ganesh worshipers. References Lucky W Amulet Archive: Good Luck Charms, Magic Talismans, Protection Amulets While the conflation of luck, protection, and religious devotion is not often found in orthodox monotheistic religious, in theological systems that include many deities, it is common to identify specific gods or saints with specific desires , such as money-drawing or prevention of diseases. The image shown at left was a devotionary print signed "S. P. Divau." Jeremy Bornstein bought it at an Indian grocery store in California in 1989 and "moderately edited" it in Adobe Photoshop. He then gave me permission to use it here. At upper right is a package of Vinason's Chandan Cones , a sandalwood dhoop style incense depicting Ganesh on the box. At lower right is the label from a bottle of Lucky Mojo brand Ganesh Anointing Oil .

Ganesha, the son of the Hindu deities Siva and Durga (or Siva and Parvati , depending on the region of India) is a god of luck and of "opening the way." Rotund and generally jolly, he is distinguied from other Hindu deities because he has the head of an elephant . His image appears on numerous Hindu products, such as incense and foods. His symbol is the swastika , which he bears in the palm of his hand. His identifying weapon is an elephant goad, to move stubborn people, but he is not always shown bearing it. Sometimes he carries a conch shell, holds a book, or receives offerings of sweet foods. Usually, one of his tusks is broken, a reference to a tale set in his childhood, when his father accidentally hit him too hard. His vehicle is a rat, who may be shown stealing one of the food offerings placed at his feet. Ganesha can be represented reclining hedonistically, as befits a bringer of good luck, wealth, fine foods, and luxury. He also may be seen seated on a throne or in the form of an infant, especially as Siva and Parvati's beloved son.

However, as the son of Siva , who is sometimes called Nataraja ("Lord of the Dance"), Ganesha sometimes assumes the same dancing pose taken by his father when Siva dances to destroy the world. In this form, Ganesha is an opener of the way and remover of all obstacles. Another common depiction of Ganesha is in tandem with Laksmi, the goddess of wealth, or as part of a trio with Laksmi and Sarasvati, the goddess of music. This latter grouping arises from a tale of the goddess Durga , in which she is said to be the mother of all three of these fortune-bringing deities. Finally, in depictions of Siva and Parvati as "the happy couple," Ganesha may be accompanied by his many-headed brother Kartikeya, also known as Skanda. Ganesha is sometimes represented as an elephant and is identified with the "sacred white elephant" of Thailand. As such he has been exported to Europe and the Americas as a "lucky elephant" amulet . Related pages of interest: Elephant Head God India is a land of diverse cultures and ethnicities, but the one thing that binds us together is the faith and belief.

Whatever the religion be, it always teaches us to have faith in our self and believe that good shall always win over bad. Elephant God Lord Ganesha is one of the most popular gods of Hindu mythology . Ganesha is made up of two Sanskrit words, Gana and Ish. Ish means a deity or god and Gana means a community or a group. Thus, Lord Ganesha is considered to be the leader of the clan or the masses. He symbolically represents success and prosperity. His unique characteristics like elephant head, big flappy ears, pot belly and a long trunk make him all the more lovable. As Vighnharta, Lord Ganesha is believed to be the remover of all obstacles. This is one of the reasons he is prayed at the beginning of any new project or venture. By doing so devotees are asking lord to bless them and steer them onto the path of success and prosperity. But today we shall be specifically discussing about the elephant head of Lord Ganesha. There are many stories on how lord Ganesha got the elephant head and its significance. We shall be taking about all of these, so let’s begin this enchanting journey! How Lord Ganesha got the elephant head?

A large number of people are fascinated by the overall appearance of Lord Ganesha . An elephant head on a human body is a rare sight. But not many people know that how did lord Ganesha got this unique identity. Once when goddess Parvati had to take a bath, she created a small boy, about 12 years of age to guard the door. She did this using her special powers and ingredients like – turmeric, scruff and her sweat. The small boy was none other than lord Ganesha. Obeying his mother’s orders he was guarding the door while goddess Parvati was bathing. Lord Shiva returned from his meditation session was taken aback to see a small boy standing at the entrance barring him to enter his own house. Even when lord Shiva told him that he is goddess Parvati’s husband, Lord Ganesha did not allow him to enter the premises. He was unaware of lord Shiva’s identity and said “My mother (goddess Parvati) has told me to keep a watch and guard the door till she is bathing.

Thus, I can’t allow anyone to enter.” Lord Shiva tried to push away Lord Ganesha, but he strong Ganesha didn’t move from his place. Lord Shiva fumed with anger and in this fit of anger he struck on Lord Ganesha’s head. Hearing the commotion, goddess Parvati hurried towards the entrance only to see Lord Ganesha wounded. She broke down and cried a lot. She explained her husband the entire situation and the reason that she created their son. That’s when Lord Shiva realized his mistake and apologized to goddess Parvati. He immediately summoned his army and told them to get the head of the first being that they find who is sleeping with its head facing the north direction. The troops searched far and wide and finally found an elephant that was sleeping in the position described by lord Shiva. So they got his head. Lord Shiva revived life in the boy by attaching the elephant’s head and also made him the leader of his army. On seeing this goddess Parvati became all the more angry.

She said “Everyone would make fun of my child and nobody would worship him.” Lord Shiva bestowed a boon on Lord Ganesha and said that all Lord Ganesha would always be the first deity to be worshipped. He also said that prayers would not be considered complete if lord Ganesha is not worshipped at the beginning. So this is how Lord Ganesha got the elephant head and the blessing of being worshipped first. Significance The elephant head on a human body might seem odd, but that is where the deeper meaning steps in. This mismatch signifies that one should not always focus on the appearance; it is the inner beauty that makes a man beautiful in the real sense. As the son of Lord Shiva (the epitome of power) and goddess Parvati (the mother of the entire universe) Lord Ganesha strikes a perfect balance between body and soul. Despite being one of the most popular gods, Lord Ganesha is reckoned for his humility and subtle nature. These are the qualities that should be learnt by one and all today. Never be proud of your beauty or brain, instead be thankful to god for bestowing his blessings upon you.

Thank You For Sharing Your Enormous Inspirational Knowledge Hi Nilima, I would be very grateful to write you this short message. I can’t be at your stage you are a [such] powerful person. No need to come face to face to know each other. Your inspiration guides you to preach the enormous knowledge and to share [with] others. You have the love, patience, courage… to send all your devotees what you have learned from the gods. I would you like to thank you a lot for sending me the good news from Ganesha ji. You will always protect and enrich more from the god. Good luck From, Sanjay Ganesha’s Secrets Are Influential in My Quest for Peace, Love & Happiness Namaste Nilimaji: I am trying to put these secrets into practice and I am still working on “humility”. Although basically I am not arrogant, I tend to [get] defensive when challenging situations arise. I am now dealing with this on a daily basis, trying to become more humble as time goes by. Whenever the opportunity arises, I try to implement [Ganesha’s] secrets with the intention of entirely changing my outlook on life and its varying situations.

Please continue to send me the secrets as they have proved to be very influential in my quest for peace, love and happiness. I sincerely thank you and may God richly bless you always. Bani Expression of Gratitude Warm greetings to you Nilima and the Ganesha Experience team. I am pleasantly overwhelmed by the lessons because of the benefits that I continue to receive since I started this study program. It has allowed me to delve deeper into the Hindu belief and the practice of daily prayers, for instance the 108 chant of Om Gam Ganapatya Namaha. Although I cannot pin point the change in my spiritual consciousness just yet, I can feel the positive energy ever growing from day to day. I would like to share with you the reason why I chose to follow this path. My family comes from the caribbean island called Jamaica which is where my great-great grandfather decided to settle down when he left his birthplace in Gujurat during the period of the Raj.

I am still doing some research to find out exactly which part of Gujurat he was born and how he lived before his departure as an indentured worker and I feel by getting involved in his beliefs then I will get to know and understand what he and Lord Ganesha, among the other Gods and Goddesses stand for. I am deeply moved by this opportunity and I wish you all infinite love and good blessings for the effort and determination that has been put into this project for people like myself to understand and improve our lives. Om Ganeshaya Namah Ganesha’s Secrets Are Influential in My Quest for Peace, Love & Happiness Dear Nilima I have gotten a chance to read your e-mails now, and I want to say that they are a very good teaching. I myself am a Gaudiya Vaisnava with a background in the metaphysical teachings of Dwaj Khul/Alice Bailey. You are doing a good service to humanity with the Shivite teachings you are offering students. I am glad to have met you in this way online and wish you very well in the work you have been chosen for. You seem very well qualified to carry it out, and I thank you for sharing what you have so far with me.

Your’s in Light, Love and Life Abundantly, Timothy Hindus celebrate Ganesha - the elephant-headed god - Photo 1 - Pictures - CBS News Next Devotees take an idol of elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha through a street for immersion in the Arabian Sea in Mumbai, India, Sept. 18, 2013. The immersion marks the end of the ten day long Ganesh Chaturti festival that celebrates the birth of the Hindu god. Credit: Rajanish Kakade/AP Worshippers carry an idol of elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha for immersion in an artificial pond, specially set up for the immersion of idols to prevent pollution in the river Sabarmati, in Ahmadabad, India, Sept. 15, 2013. The festival is celebrated to mark the birth of Ganesha, the Hindu god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune. Credit: Ajit Solanki/AP Indian devotees prepare to immerse idols of elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha in the Chenab River during Ganesh Chaturthi festival celebrations in Akhnoor, India, Sep. 16, 2013.

Credit: Channi Anand/AP An idol of elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha is lifted to be immersed in the Hussain Sagar Lake during Ganesh Chaturthi festival celebrations in Hyderabad, Sept. 16, 2013. Credit: Mahesh Kumar A./AP Worshippers prepare to immerse an idol of Ganesha in an artificial pond in Ahmadabad, India, Sept. 15, 2013. Credit: Ajit Solanki/AP Indian devotees dance and throw colored powder as they prepare to immerse an idol of Ganesha in the Gomati River in Lucknow, India, Sept. 15, 2013. Credit: Rajesh Kumar Singh/AP An Indian devotee carries an idol of Ganesha before immersing it in the Hussain Sagar Lake during Ganesh Chaturthi festival celebrations in Hyderabad, India, Sept. 17, 2013. Credit: Mahesh Kumar A./AP Indian children wearing masks of Hindu monkey god Lord Hanuman watch devotees take an idol of Ganesha through a street for immersion in the Arabian Sea in Mumbai, India, Sept. 18, 2013.

Credit: Rajanish Kakade/AP Indian mounted policemen patrol to control the crowd as devotees prepare to immerse an idol of Ganesha in the Bay of Bengal during Ganesh Chaturthi festival celebrations in Chennai, India, Sept. 15, 2013. Credit: Arun Sankar K/AP Indian devotees offer prayers as they prepare to immerse an idol of Ganesha in the Gomati River during Ganesh Chaturthi festival celebrations in Lucknow, India, Sept. 15, 2013. Credit: Rajesh Kumar Singh/AP An Indian devotee carries an idol of Ganesha before immersing it in the Hussain Sagar Lake during Ganesh Chaturthi festival celebrations in Hyderabad, India, Sept. 17, 2013. Credit: Mahesh Kumar A./AP An Indian devotee immerses an idol of Ganesha in the Chenab River during Ganesh Chaturthi festival celebrations in Akhnoor, India, Sept. 16, 2013.

Credit: Channi Anand/AP Indian devotees dance and throw colored powder as they prepare to immerse an idol of Ganesha in the Chenab River during Ganesh Chaturthi festival celebrations in Akhnoor, India, Sep. 16, 2013. Credit: Channi Anand/AP Indian Hindu devotees use a boat to immerse an idol Ganesha in the Gomati River during Ganesh Chaturthi festival celebrations in Lucknow, India, Sept. 15, 2013. Credit: Rajesh Kumar Singh/AP Devotees take an idol of Ganesha through a street for immersion in the Arabian Sea in Mumbai, India, Sept. 18, 2013. Credit: Rajanish Kakade/AP A Hindu devotee wears a mask of Ganesha during Ganesh Chaturthi festival celebrations in Hyderabad, India, Sept. 17, 2013. Credit: Mahesh Kumar A./AP Devotees take an idol of Ganesha through a street for immersion in the Arabian Sea in Mumbai, India, Sept. 18, 2013.

Credit: Rajanish Kakade/AP Devotees take an idol of Ganesha through a street for immersion in the Arabian Sea in Mumbai, India, Sept. 18, 2013. Credit: Rajanish Kakade/AP An unidentified man wears the head of Ganesha during Ganesh Chaturthi festival celebrations in Chennai, India, Sept. 15, 2013. Credit: Arun Sankar K/AP Volunteers immerse an idol of Ganesha in an artificial pond in Ahmadabad, India, Sept. 15, 2013. Credit: Ajit Solanki/AP A volunteer smiles as he immerses an idol of Ganesha in an artificial pond in Ahmadabad, India, Sept. 15, 2013. Credit: Ajit Solanki/AP A Hindu devotee wearing a Ganesha mask greets people at Hussain Sagar Lake during Ganesh Chaturthi festival celebrations in Hyderabad, India, Sept. 17, 2013.

Credit: Mahesh Kumar A./AP An Indian devotee takes a picture of a Ganesha idol as it is lifted to be immersed in the Hussain Sagar Lake during Ganesh Chaturthi festival celebrations in Hyderabad, India, Sept. 17, 2013. Credit: Mahesh Kumar A./AP Indian devotees dance and throw colored powder as they prepare to immerse an idol of Ganesha in the Gomati River during Ganesh Chaturthi festival celebrations in Lucknow, India, Sept. 15, 2013. Credit: Rajesh Kumar Singh/AP Indian devotees offer prayers as they prepare to immerse an idol of Ganesha in the Gomati River during Ganesh Chaturthi festival celebrations in Lucknow, India, Sept. 15, 2013. Credit: Rajesh Kumar Singh/AP Devotees take an idol of elephant headed Hindu god Ganesha through a street for immersion in the Arabian Sea in Mumbai, India, Sept. 18, 2013.

Credit: Rajanish Kakade/AP Devotees take an idol of elephant headed Hindu god Ganesha through a street for immersion in the Arabian Sea in Mumbai, India, Sept. 18, 2013. Credit: Rajanish Kakade/AP

Question: Who is the elephant-headed Hindu God of good luck?
Answer: GANESH