Ganesh (also spelled Ganesa or Ganesha and known as Ganapati, Vinayaka and Pillaiyar) is the Lord of Good Fortune who provides prosperity, fortune and success.  He is the Lord of Beginnings and the Remover of Obstacles of both material and spiritual kinds.  Interestingly, he also places obstacles in the path because of these attributes, Ganesh is widely revered by almost all castes and in all parts of India, regardless of any other spiritual affiliations.  His image is found everywhere, in many different forms, and he is invoked before the undertaking of any task.  Ganesh is also associated with the first Chakra, or energy wheel, which underpins all of the other Chakras and represents conservation, survival and material well-being.  He is considered to be a patron of the arts and sciences and of letters.  Devotees believe that if Ganesha is worshiped, he grants success, prosperity and protection against adversity.  In a lesser known role, Ganesh is also the destroyer of vanity, selfishness and pride.