Ganesha's elephant head makes him easy to identify. 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.
He is also known as Vakratunda. This is the first incarnation of Lord Ganesh which means the one with a curved trunk. Vakratunda was the Ganesh who slayed the demon Matsarasura, a devotee of lord Shiva. Matsarasura was and still is the symbol of jealousy and envy. Thus symbolically in this avatar, Ganesh is the destroyer of jealousy. Vakratunda's vahana is the lion.
Ganesha's head symbolizes the Atman or the soul, which is the ultimate supreme reality of human existence, and his human body signifies Maya or the earthly existence of human beings. The elephant head denotes wisdom and its trunk represents Om, the sound symbol of cosmic reality. In his upper right hand Ganesha holds a goad, which helps him propel mankind forward on the eternal path and remove obstacles from the way. The noose in Ganesha's left hand is a gentle implement to capture all difficulties.
Brass Ganesha- Ganesh idols made of brass brings prosperity and joy to your house. These brass Ganesh idols are supposed to be placed at east, south or west directions. At the same time, never keep these idols in northeast or northwest directions.
