1. The Remover Of Obstacles

2. Shri Ganesha Oh Ganapati! One with a curved trunk, a large body, and a brilliance equal to millions of suns! O Lord, please make all my undertakings free from obstacles always.

3. Shri Ganapati One of the most revered Gods in Hinduism Considered as the remover of obstacles The God of domestic harmony and success Always involved first in any Hindu ceremony or festival Known by various names –Ganesh –Ganapati –Vinayak

4. Family of Ganesha Lord Shiva is His father Goddess Parvati His mother Lord Kartikeyan is His brother Mouse is His vehicle Intelligence is His power

5. Story of Birth Shiva Purana –Parvati creates Him out of clay –A battle with Shiva –Loses His head and Parvati laments –Shiva replaces the head with elephants head Brahma Vaivarta Purana –Parvati observes a fast to appease Vishnu –When Ganesha is born, all Gods and Goddesses are invited –Shani refuses to look at Ganesha –Finally looks and thus severs Ganesha’s head –Vishnu fixes an elephants head

6. Story of Tusk Parashuram goes to visit Shiva Ganesha again blocks Parashuram’s way Parashuram throws an axe which breaks Ganesha’s tusk While scribing Mahabharat, He broke His pen To coninue, He broke his tusk and used it as pen While riding His mouse, He fell and broke His tusk Moon laughed at Him and got cursed

7. Other Stories

8. Symbolism in Ganesha Known as Omkara as His body mirrors the embodiment of the cosmos

9. Symbolism in Ganesha Think Big Listen more Concentrate To cut off all worldly bondages, removes obstacles To pull you nearer towards the goal Talk lessRetain good throw bad, sacrifice Blesses & protects on path to elevation Adaptability Peacefully digest all good and bad of life Continuous pursuit of knowledge Discover sweetness of Aatman Keep desires and mind under control

10. Twelve Names of Ganesha