He has four hands. In one hand he holds the noose to capture and retain obstacles or difficulties; in another, he has a goad to guide the worshipper in the right direction, by removing his obstacles; in the third, he keeps a modaka, a sweet dish, representing the fruit of devotion; With the fourth hand, he blesses his devotees.

His right tusk is broken and it denotes personal sacrifice to achieve greater things. He rides a mouse. It is the mouse that carries Ganesha’s grace to every nook and corner, moving silently, seldom visible in the darkness, which influences our lives. He is the creator of obstacles, if one is going in the wrong direction. He is also the remover of those obstacles. Accordingly, all Hindu functions and rituals always commence with an invocation and puja to Lord Ganesha. In this role he is called VIGNESHWARA.