Lord Ganesha, also known as Ganapati or Vinayaka, is a popular deity in Hinduism, who is worshipped as the god of wisdom, prosperity, and good fortune. He is known for his elephantine head and rotund belly, and is often depicted holding a bowl of sweets, a broken tusk, and a mouse.
Lord Ganesha is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, and is revered as the lord of beginnings and remover of obstacles. He is believed to be the patron of arts and sciences, and is invoked at the start of any new venture, ritual, or ceremony.
Lord Ganesha is also associated with the worship of the planet Mercury and is considered to be a patron of astrologers and astrology. He is often depicted with four arms, each holding a different object, such as a noose, a goad, a bowl of sweets, and a discus.
One of the most popular stories about Lord Ganesha is the story of how he came to have an elephantine head. According to the story, Goddess Parvati created Ganesha out of the dirt and sweat from her body as a guardian for her while she bathed. However, when Lord Shiva returned home and saw Ganesha, he was enraged and cut off Ganesha's head.
Upon realizing what had happened, Goddess Parvati begged Lord Shiva to bring Ganesha back to life. Shiva agreed, but since he couldn't replace Ganesha's human head, he replaced it with the head of an elephant, which he found nearby.
Lord Ganesha is widely worshipped in India and Nepal, and his image can be found in many Hindu temples and homes. He is also worshipped by people of other religions, such as Jains and Buddhists, who consider him to be a deity of good luck and prosperity.
In conclusion, Lord Ganesha is a beloved deity in Hinduism, who is worshipped as the god of wisdom, prosperity, and good fortune. He is revered as the lord of beginnings and the remover of obstacles, and is often invoked at the start of any new venture or ceremony. Lord Ganesha is also associated with the worship of the planet Mercury and is considered to be a patron of astrologers and astrology.
