Ganesha

Ganesha (/gəɳeɕᵊ/, Sanskrit: गणेश, IAST: Gaṇeśa), also known as Ganesh, Ganapati, Vinayaka, Pillaiyar, and Lambodara, is one of the most beloved and widely worshipped deities in the Hindu pantheon. He holds the position of Supreme God in the Ganapatya sect, and his image can be found throughout India. Hindus of all denominations revere him regardless of their specific affiliations. His popularity extends beyond Hinduism to Jain and Buddhist traditions, and his worship has spread beyond India's borders.

Ganesha is instantly recognizable by his distinctive elephant head and four arms. He is widely venerated as the remover of obstacles and the bringer of good fortune. As the patron of arts and sciences and the deva of intellect and wisdom, he holds special significance for scholars and artists. Being the god of beginnings, Ganesha receives honors at the commencement of rituals and ceremonies. Writers and students particularly invoke him during their studies and writing sessions as the patron of letters and learning. Hindu mythology contains numerous stories about his birth and adventures.

Scholars have found references to Ganesha in Hindu texts dating from between the 1st century BCE and 2nd century CE, with some documented Ganesha imagery dating back to the 4th and 5th centuries CE. Though Hindu texts identify him as the son of Parvati and Shiva from the Shaivism tradition, Ganesha transcends sectarian boundaries as a pan-Hindu deity found across various traditions. In the Ganapatya tradition, he is revered as the Supreme Being. The principal sacred texts dedicated to Ganesha include the Ganesha Purana, the Mudgala Purana, and the Ganapati Atharvasirsha.