Ganesha Print Wood Box
2"
 
Ganesha, also known as Ganapati or Vinayaka, is one of the most beloved and widely worshipped deities in the Hindu pantheon. He is easily recognized by his elephant head, rotund belly, and four arms, and is revered as the remover of obstacles and the patron of knowledge, wisdom, and new beginnings.
 
According to Hindu mythology, Ganesha was born to the goddess Parvati, who created him from clay and brought him to life. She instructed him to guard the door while she bathed, but when her husband Shiva returned and was denied entry by the young Ganesha, he grew angry and cut off the boy's head. When Parvati saw what had happened, she was grief-stricken and demanded that her son be brought back to life. Shiva, in remorse, replaced the boy's head with that of an elephant, and thus Ganesha was born.
 
Ganesha is often depicted holding a lotus flower, a bowl of sweets, an axe, and a noose, each of which has a symbolic meaning. The lotus represents purity and enlightenment, the sweets symbolize the rewards of devotion, the axe represents the destruction of ignorance, and the noose represents the power to capture and hold onto the truth. Ganesha is also often accompanied by a mouse, which symbolizes the mind and the need to control it.
 
Today, Ganesha is worshipped not only in Hinduism, but also in Buddhism and Jainism. His image can be found in homes, temples, and public spaces throughout India and beyond, and his popularity shows no signs of waning. With his gentle demeanor, his wisdom, and his ability to overcome obstacles, Ganesha continues to inspire and guide people of all ages and backgrounds.