गणेश
Major God · Sacred Day: Wednesday
Ganesha is the elephant-headed son of Shiva and Parvati — the remover of obstacles (Vighnaharta), the lord of beginnings, and the patron of intellect, learning, and wisdom. He is invoked before any Hindu ritual, journey, or new venture. His very first worship is mandatory before any other deity. Born from the turmeric paste used by Parvati for her bath, Ganesha stood guard while she bathed and blocked Shiva's entry — leading to the severing of his human head, which Shiva later replaced with that of an elephant. His love for modak (a sweet dumpling) is legendary.
Elephant head with a single tusk (ekadanta), large belly, four arms (sometimes more) holding a noose (pasha), goad (ankusha), modak bowl, and a broken tusk. His vahana is the mouse (Mooshika), symbolising the conquest of desire. He wears red cloth, chandan and sindoor on his forehead, and garlands of red flowers.
ॐ गं गणपतये नमः ॥
वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय सूर्यकोटि समप्रभ । निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा ॥
ॐ गणेशाय नमः ॥