(Excerpts from Hinduism Beyond Rituals, Customs, and Traditions)

In the Hindu mind, the elephant is revered not just for its might but for its intelligence. And so, in his elephant-headed form, Lord Ganesh is celebrated as the God of knowledge, intellect, and wisdom.

But Ganesh is more than a scholar’s deity. His very form, attributes, and possessions radiate deeper meanings: the pursuit of learning, the sweetness of humility, and the grace of simplicity.

Above all, He is the God of Beginnings. Every new venture, from the smallest purchase to the grandest ceremony, begins with “Sri Ganesh.” His name is invoked at the outset of rituals and prominently inscribed on Hindu wedding invitations—an eternal reminder that every step forward seeks His blessing.

Ganesh is also the guardian at the threshold. His image, often placed at the entrance of temples and homes, is a symbolic doorkeeper, keeping misfortune and adversity outside. Yet the story of how he became this sentinel is a curious one:

The legend tells us that Parvati, his mother, created Ganesh from clay and posted him as her protector while she bathed. When Lord Shiva, unaware, tried to enter, Ganesh stopped him. Angered, Shiva beheaded the boy—only to later restore him with the head of a baby elephant. Since then, Ganesh has stood as the ever-humble “doorkeeper.” Today, this role is remembered less through mythology and more through artful figurines adorning entryways.

His portfolio, however, extends further. As Vighneshvara, the Remover of Obstacles, Ganesh clears paths for devotees, both worldly and spiritual.

It is this versatility that makes Him one of Hinduism’s most inclusive and secular figures. Ganesh belongs to all. In art especially, He is endlessly reinvented—painted, sculpted, and imagined in countless creative forms by artists of every faith. In His many avatars, Lord Ganesh unites reverence, symbolism, and creativity into one timeless celebration.