Shri Ganesha is also known as Ganapati. He is one of the most loved and worshipped Hindu Deities. His is revered as the remover of obstacle and the giver of wisdom and joy. His names are derived from two Sanskrit words- Ganesha: Gana (multitude, group) and isha (Lord), Ganapati: Gana and adipathi (Lord or Master). Meaning lord of the masses or this creation. He is the supreme consciousness that pervades all and brings order in this universe. He is the son of Shiva and Parvati and brother of Kartikeya (Subramanya). In essence, he is the connection between the pure divine consciousness in its un-manifest form (Shiva) and the manifest form of energy (Parvati/Shakti/Prakruti). He is the base (Muladhar) of this cosmic creation that we all are a part of, and pervades through its beginning, middle and the end.

• Adi Shankara, a famous Hindu Sage and Scholar (8th Century, India), describes Ganesha as ‘Ajam Nirvikalpam Niraakaaramekam.’ This means Ganesha is Ajam (unborn), he is Nirvikalpa (attribute-less), he is Niraakaar (formless). He symbolizes the consciousness which is omnipresent.
• The physical form attributed to Shri Ganesha helps even the simplest of human minds, grasp the vastness of this manifestation.
• The elephant’s head denotes wisdom. His large ears, small eyes, and small mouth reminds us that wisdom comes from being attentive, listening, and speaking less. He listens to all his devotees, but you will only hear his divine voice within you through silence and attention.
• His big belly signifies the ability to peacefully and happily digest all the good and bad in life. Ganesha’s raised hand depicts protection and blessings for all his devotees.
• He carries in his hands the ‘Ankusa’ (elephant goad), Paarash (Axe), ‘Paasa’ (lasso). The axe cuts through ignorance and ego, the goad directs you away from obstacles and the lasso keeps you on the path of good, pulling you towards the final goal of human existence, Moksha (liberation from the material realm, realizing your true nature and merging with supreme consciousness).
• The mouse at his feet is a symbol of our senses, which are never satisfied. A mouse constantly keeps moving and nibbling through things. Similarly, our senses constantly desire new experiences and new tastes. Left uncontrolled, they keep growing forever. A wise person always keeps control over his/her senses.

Ganapati is always prayed to first before undertaking any activity, including Vedic rituals and worship of any other Deity. Ganapati Pooja (Worship) involves invoking the deity to the worship altar and then praying to him. You would then symbolically offer him a bath, fresh clothes, food and entertainment in the same way you would take care of a special guest or relative who came to visit you from far.

Ganesh Chaturthi is a special day to pray and worship lord Ganesha. Many devotees mold Ganesha out of clay on Ganesh Chaturthi and worship him. After ten days, on Anant Chaturdashi, after worship the clay Ganesha murti (idol) is immersed in a water body symbolizing his return back to him home (un-manifest form).

He is universally revered and worshiped by Hindus across India and many other parts of the world such as Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bali (Indonesia), Bangladesh and Nepal. Ganesha is revered by Jains and Buddhists as well. Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the biggest festivals in the state of Maharashtra, India. In the state of Maharashtra, there are eight Ganesh temples built around icons of Ganesha that were discovered in monolithic stones. These holy places are call Ashta Vinyakas.