Ganesha also spelled Ganesa, also known as Ganapati ,Vinayaka , and Pillaiyar is one of the deities best-known and most widely worshipped in the Hindu pantheon.
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His image is found throughout India and Nepal.Hindu sects worship him regardless of affiliations.
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Devotion to Ganesha is widely diffused and extends to Jains, Buddhists, and beyond India.Although he is known by many other attributes, Ganesha's elephant head makes him particularly easy to identify.
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Ganesha is widely revered as the Remover of Obstacles and more generally as Lord of Beginnings and Lord of Obstacles (Vighnesha ,Vighneshvara , patron of arts and sciences, and the deva of intellect and wisdom.
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He is honoured at the beginning of rituals and ceremonies and invoked as Patron of Letters during writing sessions.Several texts relate mythological anecdotes associated with his birth and exploits and explain his distinct iconography.
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Ganesha emerged as a distinct deity in clearly recognizable form in the 4th and 5th centuries CE, during the Gupta Period, although he inherited traits from Vedic and pre-Vedic precursors.
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His popularity rose quickly, and he was formally included among the five primary deities of Smartism (a Hindu denomination) in the 9th century.
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A sect of devotees called the Ganapatya , who identified Ganesha as the supreme deity, arose during this period.
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The principal scriptures dedicated to Ganesha are the Ganesha Purana, the Mudgala Purana, and the Ganapati Atharvashirsa.
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Though Ganesha is popularly held to be the son of Shiva and Parvati, the Puranic myths give different versions about his birth.
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He may have been created by Shiva, or by Parvati,or by Shiva and Parvati,or appeared mysteriously and was discovered by Shiva and Parvati.
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The family includes his brother the war god Kartikeya, who is also called Subramanya, Skanda, Murugan and other names. Regional differences dictate the order of their births.
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In northern India, Skanda is generally said to be the elder, while in the south, Ganesha is considered the first born.
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In northern India, Skanda was an important martial deity from about 500 BCE to about 600 CE, when worship of him declined significantly in northern India.
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As Skanda fell, Ganesha rose. Several stories tell of sibling rivalry between the brothers and may reflect sectarian tensions.
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Ganesha's marital status, the subject of considerable scholarly review, varies widely in mythological stories.
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One pattern of myths identifies Ganesha as an unmarried brahmacari.This view is common in southern India and parts of northern India.
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Another pattern associates him with the concepts of Buddhi (intellect), Siddhi (spiritual power), and Riddhi (prosperity); these qualities are sometimes personified as goddesses, said to be Ganesha's wives.
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He also may be shown with a single consort or a nameless servant (Sanskrit: dasi).
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Another pattern connects Ganesha with the goddess of culture and the arts, Sarasvati or Sarda (particularly in Maharashtra).
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He is also associated with the goddess of luck and prosperity, Lakshmi. Another pattern, mainly prevalent in the Bengal region, links Ganesha with the banana tree, Kala Bo.
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The Shiva Purana says that Ganesha had two sons: Ksema (prosperity) and Labha (profit). In northern Indian variants of this story, the sons are often said to be Subha (auspiciouness) and Labha.
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Devotees believe that if Ganesha is propitiated, he grants success, prosperity and protection against adversity.
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Ganesha is a non-sectarian deity, and Hindus of all denominations invoke him at the beginning of prayers, important undertakings, and religious ceremonies.
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Dancers and musicians, particularly in southern India, begin performances of arts such as the Bharatnatyam dance with a prayer to Ganesha.
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Mantras such as Om Shri Ganeshaya Namah (Om, salutation to the Illustrious Ganesha) are often used.
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One of the most famous mantras associated with Ganesha is Om Ga Ganapataye Namah (Om, Ga, Salutation to the Lord of Hosts).
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Devotees offer Ganesha sweets such as modaka and small sweet balls (laddus).He is often shown carrying a bowl of sweets, called a modakapatra.
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Because of his identification with the colorred, he is often worshipped with red sandalwood paste (raktacandana) or red flowers.
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Durva grass (Cynodon dactylon) and other materials are also used in his worship.
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Festivals associated with Ganesh are Ganesh Chaturthi or Vinayaka chaturthi in the suklapaka (the fourth day of the waxing moon) in the month of bhadrapada (August/September) and the Ga?esa jayanti (Ga?esa's birthday) celebrated on the cathurthi of the suklapak?a (fourth day of the waxing moon) in the month of magha (January/February)."
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Ganesha is worshipped on many religious and secular occasions; especially at the beginning of ventures such as buying a vehicle or starting a business.
