Vinayaka is one of the famous
and greatly worshipped deities in Hinduism. Vinayakar is also known
as Ganesh, Vinayaka Vigneswara, Ganapathy, Pillaiyar . The main identity
of Vinayaka is his elephant like head. Its known that Vinayaka is the
eldest son of Lord Siva and Goddess Parvathy. We believe that if we
pray to Ganapathy, then all the obstacles in front of us will remove
quickly. Because of that Vinayaka is known as the Lord of obstacles
and the God of new beginnings. Thus got the name ‘Vighneswara’, the
one who removes ‘Vighna’ from our path. For all new beginnings, Hindus
do ‘Ganapathy Homam’ properly in temples and even at homes. Vehicle
of Vinayaka is a mouse.
Many stories are there about the birth of Vinayaka. Once Devi Parvathy
created a very powerful boy for preventing anybody from entering into
her room, without her permission. Then Lord Siva came there for visiting
Devi and asked that boy to allow him to enter. Devi was then having
bath. But that boy didn’t allow Lord Siva to enter. Then the uncontrolled
Lord Siva cut off that boy’s head. Hearing this news, Goddess Parvathy
became furious and asked Siva to get back her son. Siva was helpless
in returning his head. Then he cut the head of an elephant and placed
it over his neck. Thus Lord Siva gave him a new birth and named him
as Vinayaka. He is the God of art, music and prosperity. Devotees of
Vinayaka offers him ‘Modhaka’ and laddus for getting his blessings.
