Ganesh is the elephant-headed Hindu deity of wisdom, good fortune, and new beginnings, revered as the remover of obstacles. He is commonly depicted with a large belly, multiple arms holding an axe, a noose, sweets, and the abhaya mudra (gesture of fearlessness). Accompanied by Mushika, his mouse vehicle, these symbolic objects represent the spiritual ability to overcome fear, limitations, and ego. According to tradition, Ganesh was created by the goddess Parvati to guard her while she bathed. When Shiva, unaware of Ganesh’s identity, was denied entry, he beheaded him in anger. To restore his life, Shiva replaced his head with that of an elephant and declared that Ganesh would be honored first in all Hindu rituals.