South-Indian Images of Gods and Goddesses c9.s17.7

c9.s17.7

Ganapati is a very important deity in the Hindu Pantheon.³ Supposed to be the lord of obstacles (Vighnēśvara) he is worshipped by all classes of Hindus, other than Srī-Vaishnavas, at the commencement of every religious ceremony, whether auspicious or inauspicious. A sect of Brahmanas called Gānā-patyas, found mostly on the West Coast, worship him as the highest of the gods. As in the case of Vishnu and Siva he is