Ganesha is one of the most popular deities within the Hindu religion. He is the first icon that is placed in any family home because it is believed that he will help with the family's pprosperity and success. Ganesha is "worshipped in millions of households throughout India." People turn to Ganesha when searching for a better profession, more wealth, a new car, and better grades in school, anything that will grant them a better life. It is said that Ganesha's "blessings are sought at the beginning of a journey, at the time of a marriage, and at the beginning of all rituals and undertakings." In placing their prayers and beliefs in Ganesha, Hindu worshippers believe that he will grant them success in future endeavors. Being the God of prosperity and success, Ganesha also has the ability to place obstacles in the path of a worshipper and also has the power to remove obstacles. It is explained that
"Ganesha is the aspect of the Supreme Being responsible for the removal of obstacles, both in a practical sense and in a spiritual sense. On the spiritual path, our obstacles might be our weaknesses or our ego. When we pray to Ganesha, we ask him to help remove those obstacles within the self. There is a mythological story about his origins: How the goddess Parvati created Ganesha from herself. When Shiva came home, he mistook him for an intruder and cut off his head. When he realized his terrible mistake, Shiva replaced Ganesha's head with that of an elephant. It's a story. But for me, I think that when Hindus long ago imagined the divine form who would remove obstacles from the path, it is natural that they saw the mighty elephant as such a form."
For this reason, Ganesha is one of the best known and worshipped Gods. Everyone in the world want ...