Ganapati also known as Ganesha and Vinayaka is one of most popular and worshipped deities in the Hindu religions. The image of Ganapati can be seen throughout India and no matter which sect of the Hinduism people are in, they worship Ganapati and devotion of Ganapati extends to other religions like Jainism, Budhism and Ganapati popularity spreads beyond India. Ganapati can be easily identifiable because of the elephant head and is widely known as a remover of obstacles. A prayer to Lord Ganapati is done as he is god of beginnings and is honoured during the start of any auspicious rituals and ceremonies. Ganesha is also patron of arts and science and is the God of intellect and wisdom. There are many principal scriptures related to Ganesha like the Ganesha Purana, Mudgala Purana and Ganapati Atharvashirsa. Ganesha, if though is considered the God who removes obstacles; he places obstacles in the path of the devotee in order to check his devotion.
The main dharma of Ganesha is to place and remove obstacles. Ganesha is also the Lord of letters and learning. The idea of Buddhi (which is a Sanskrit word which means intelligence, wisdom or intellect) is connected with the personality of Ganesha. In the Ganesh Purana and Ganesh Sahasranama, one of the names of Ganesha is Buddhipriya. Ganesha is identified with the Hindu mantra “Om”. Omkaraswarupa which means Om is his form refers to the concept that he exemplifies the original sound. As per the interpretation of Ganapati Atharvashirsa by Swami Chinmayananda Lord Ganapati is the Trinity (Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesha), Ganesha is Indra, Agni (fire) and Vayu (air). Ganesha is also the Surya (Sun) and Chandra (Moon). Ganesha is the Brahman and the three worlds ( Bhooloka ( earth, Antariksha-loka ( space) and Swargaloka ( heaven). Ganesha is Om.
