Ganesha An elephant-headed god, who is one of the most popular deities today, revered by Hindus of all sects. Ganesha is the patron deity of writers, accountants, traders and businessmen, and is worshipped at the start of any new venture. He grants progress, prosperity, wisdom, and the removal of obstacles… Ganesha is venerated by Buddhists and Jains as well, and several Buddhist deities have elephant heads. In the early medieval period, his images occour in Indo-China, Java and elsewhere. Similar elephant-headed deities are known in China, Japan, and other parts of South-east Asia.
– Roshen Dalal. Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide. Penguin Books India. Pg 141-142.
