Lord Ganesh: The Remover of Obstacle

Key idea: Ganesh clears the path. Nothing begins well without his blessing, and the first prayer in almost every ritual is his. He is intellect with a sense of humour: big head, bigger heart, and a soft spot for sweets.

Symbolism

• Elephant head: wisdom, vast memory and the habit of listening more than speaking

• Broken tusk: sacrifice, since he broke it to write the Mahabharata

• Modak: the sweet reward of spiritual effort

• Mooshika (the mouse): desire and ego tamed and put to work as a vehicle

Temples

• East: Ganesh Tok, Gangtok

• West: Siddhivinayak Temple, Mumbai

• North: Trinetra Ganesh Temple, Ranthambore (Rajasthan, the northern-most major Ganesh shrine I’d stand behind)

• South: Ucchi Pillayar Temple, Tiruchirappalli