Ganapati

Ganesha
God of New Beginnings Obstacle Remover
Basohli miniature, c. 1730. National Museum, New Delhi.
Devanagari	गणेश
Sanskrit transliteration	Gaṇeśa
Affiliation	Deva
Mantra	Oṃ Gaṇeśāya Namaḥ, Oṃ Gan Gaṇapatayē Namaḥ
Weapon	Paraśu (axe), pāśa (noose), aṅkuśa (elephant goad)
Symbols	Aum, Modak
Consort	Buddhi (wisdom) Riddhi (prosperity) Siddhi (attainment)
Parents	Shiva and Parvati
Siblings	Kartikeya
Mount	Mouse
Texts	Ganesha Purana, Mudgala Purana, Ganapati Atharvashirsa
Festivals	Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesha (/ɡəˈneɪʃə/; Sanskrit: गणेश, Gaṇeśa;  listen ), also known as Ganapati, Vinayaka and Binayak, is one of the best-known and most worshiped deities in the Hindu pantheon. His image is found throughout India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Nepal.Hindu sects worship him regardless of affiliations. Devotion to Ganesha is widely diffused and extends to Jains and Buddhists.

Although he is known by many attributes, Ganesha's elephant head makes him easy to identify. Ganesha is widely revered as the remover of obstacles, the patron of arts and sciences and the deva of intellect and wisdom. As the god of beginnings, he is honoured at the start of rituals and ceremonies. Ganesha is also invoked as patron of letters and learning during writing sessions. Several texts relate mythological anecdotes associated with his birth and exploits and explain his distinct iconography.