Ganesha, remover of obstacles
The elephant-headed lord of beginnings: his stories and symbols, his mantras and festivals, how to keep a Ganesha murti at home, and his great temples.
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Who Is Ganesha? An Introduction
Ganesha, the elephant-headed son of Shiva and Parvati, is one of the most widely worshipped deities in the Hindu tradition.
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The guides
Ganesha birth story
The Birth Story of Ganesha
Parvati created Ganesha from her own body and asked him to guard her door.
Ganesha symbolism
The Symbolism of Ganesha
Every part of Ganesha's form carries deep symbolic weight.
Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha
Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha
This mantra is the foundational sound for invoking Ganesha.
Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi is the vibrant ten-day festival dedicated to Ganesha.
Ganesha mantras
Ganesha Mantras
Beyond the main mantra, there are many ways to call upon Ganesha.
Ganesha names
The 108 Names of Ganesha
Ganesha is known by many names, each highlighting a different attribute.
Ganesha and Muladhara
Ganesha and the Muladhara Chakra
Ganesha is traditionally associated with the Muladhara or root chakra.
Ganesha Statue Placement
Vastu Guide for Ganesha Statue Placement
Traditional guidelines for the auspicious placement of Ganesha idols in the home according to Vastu Shastra.
Ganesha Trunk Direction
The Significance of Ganesha's Trunk Direction
A guide to understanding the symbolic differences between Ganesha idols with trunks curved to the left or the right.
32 Forms of Ganesha
The 32 Iconographic Forms of Lord Ganesha
An exploration of the thirty-two distinct forms of Ganapati, each representing a unique aspect of his divine power.
Famous Ganesha Temples
Famous Ganesha Temples Around the World
A curated list of significant places of worship dedicated to Lord Ganapati, highlighting their history and spiritual importance.
Ashtavinayak Pilgrimage
The Ashtavinayak: Eight Holy Ganesha Temples
A comprehensive overview of the eight holy shrines of Ganesha located in Maharashtra, India.
Ganesha and Mahabharata
The Story of Ganesha Writing the Mahabharata
The legend of the divine collaboration between Sage Vyasa and Lord Ganesha to transcribe the Great Epic of India.
Ganesha at Home Altar
Setting Up a Ganesha Altar at Home
Tips for setting up and maintaining a beautiful and spiritually vibrant Ganesha altar in your living space.
Sankashti Chaturthi
Observing Sankashti Chaturthi Fast and Rituals
A guide to the monthly auspicious day dedicated to Ganesha and the rituals associated with the Sankashti fast.
Related: the masters of the tradition, the meditation guides and the karma and rebirth library.