Widely revered as the remover of obstacles, the patron of arts and sciences and the ‘Deva’ of intellect and wisdom, Lord Ganesha (also known as Ganapati and Vinayaka) is one of the best-known and most worshipped deities in the Hindu religion. As the God of beginnings, he is honored at the start of rituals and ceremonies.
He is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and the brother of Lord Kartikeya, Goddess Lakshmi and Saraswati.
Being the embodiment of three virtues namely Buddhi, Siddhi and Riddhi known as wisdom, spirituality and prosperity respectively, Lord Ganesha is the personification of Buddhi Himself. The other two virtues are personified as Goddesses and considered to be the consorts of Lord Ganesha. Though there are different opinions on His marital status, both Puranas – Mudgala and Shiva Purana which are considered as authority, talk about the marital life of Lord Ganesha.
As per Shiva Purana, Lord Ganesha had two sons who were named as Shubh and Labh. Shubh and Labh are personification of auspiciousness and profit respectively. Shubh was the son of Goddess Riddhi and Labh was the son of Goddess Siddhi.
Representations of Ganesha show wide variations and distinct patterns changing over time. He may be portrayed standing, dancing, heroically taking action against demons, playing with his family as a boy, sitting down or on an elevated seat, or engaging in a range of contemporary situations.
Characterized by his mystical appearance – the trunk of an Elephant, a Human body and a rotund belly, He is usually depicted with four hands and carries a pasha (noose) and a goad (axe) in the upper hands. One of the lower hands of Lord Ganesha is shown in Abhay Mudra while in the other lower hand He holds a bowl full of Modaks.
The motif of Ganesha turning his trunk sharply to his left to taste a sweet in his lower-left hand is a particularly archaic feature.The mount or ‘Vahana’ of Lord Ganesha is a mouse.
One of the most important and also one of the most common Ganpati Mantras, this is the Ganesh mantra for wealth, and is dedicated to Lord Ganesha, Goddess Riddhi (Hindu Goddess of Prosperity) and Goddess Siddhi (Hindu Goddess of spiritual enlightenment).
Vakratunda Maha-Kaaya Surya-Kotti Samaprabha
Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva Sarva-Kaaryeshu Sarvadaa ||