What does Ganesha symbolize?

The Hindu god Ganesha with his elephant head and human body symbolizes the union of the spiritual and the physical.

Is Ganesha a good god?

Ganesha is generally a good Hindu god. He is the patron of writers, travellers, students, and commerce.

What are Ganesha's powers?

Ganesha's powers include wisdom, intelligence, and the ability to overcome all kinds of obstacles.

Ganesha

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Definition

Ganesha (also Ganesa or Ganapati) is one of the most important gods in Hinduism. Ganesha is easily recognized with his elephant head and human body, representing the soul (atman) and the physical (maya). Ganesha is the patron of writers, travellers, students, and commerce, and he removes obstacles blocking new projects. The deity is fond of sweets, to the slight detriment of his figure.

More about: Ganesha

Timeline

c. 1500 BCE - c. 500 BCE
The Vedic Period in India after a greater migration of the Indo-Aryans from Central Asia
c. 1500 BCE - c. 500 BCE
Indian scholars of the so-called Vedic Period commit the Vedas to written form; basic tenets of Hinduism are established.
c. 400 BCE - c. 200 CE
The Bhagavad Gita, part of the Mahabharata, is written at some point between 400 BCE and 200 CE.