Ganesha, also known as Ganapati and Vinayaka, is one of the best-known and most worshipped deities
in the Hindu pantheon. Hindu sects worship him regardless of affiliations. Devotion to Ganesha is
widely diffused and extends to Jains, Buddhists, and beyond India.
Ganesha is widely revered as the remover of obstacles, the patron of arts and sciences and the deva
of intellect and wisdom. As the god of beginnings, he is honoured at the start of rituals and
ceremonies. Ganesha is also invoked as patron of letters and learning during writing sessions.
Ganesha is Vighneshvara or Vighnaraja or Vighnaharta (Marathi), the Lord of Obstacles, both of a
material and spiritual order. He is popularly worshipped as a remover of obstacles, though
traditionally he also places obstacles in the path of those who need to be checked.
Paul Courtright says that:
“His task in the divine scheme of things, his dharma, is to place and remove obstacles. It is his
particular territory, the reason for his creation.”
Poojas such as Sukla Patch Sathurthy and Sangada Hara Saturthy are conducted for Vinayagar monthly.
Vinayagar Saturthy Festival is conducted for Vinayagar annually.