Ganesh
Ganesh
1 min read
MythologySpiritualityBefore ChristAncient India — a deity whose worship is attested from the 4th–5th century CE, though whose mythological origins trace back to the Vedic tradition
Ganesh is one of the most revered deities in Hinduism. Son of Shiva and Parvati, he is recognizable by his elephant head. He is the god of beginnings, wisdom, and the “Lord of Obstacles,” invoked before any new undertaking.
Key Facts
- Ganesh is depicted with an elephant head and a stocky human body, typically bearing four arms
- According to myth, it was Shiva who cut off his head; it was replaced by that of an elephant
- He is the god of beginnings and is invoked at the start of any important undertaking (journey, wedding, exam)
- His worship, Ganapatism, is one of the major branches of Hinduism
- The Ganesh Chaturthi festival, celebrated primarily in Maharashtra, draws millions of devotees each year