Sri Ganesha
Ganapathi Atharva Seersha Upanishad describes Ganesha as having an elephant’s head. He has one tusk (on the right side) and four hands. In the upper right hand He is holding a noose, a goad in the upper left hand and an elephant’s tooth in the lower left hand. The lower right hand is giving blessings and granting boons. Lord Ganesha has a mouse as his emblem. He is red in color, with a big stomach and ears like a small fan.
He is wearing red colored clothes and His body is smeared with red sandalwood paste. He is worshiped with red flowers. A unique combination of his elephant-like head and a quick moving tiny mouse vehicle represents tremendous wisdom, intelligence, and presence of mind.
Lord Ganesha's birthday, Ganesha Chaturthi, is one of the most popular Hindu festivals. The festival falls on the 4th day of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapada (August-September). Dedicated Hindus all over the world observe the festival. During the festival, Sri Ganesha Temple celebrates 10 days with daily Homams and Abhishekams, as well as special alankarams each day. The 10 day festival is completed with the traditional Ratholsavam & Visarjan, where all the clay Ganeshas that are worshiped by the community will be immersed into the water.
Every Sankatahara Chaturthi day which is falling on the 4th day of waning moon, in the evening at 6:45 pm, Sri Ganesha Temple will have Ganesha Abhishekam followed by the powerful Trishati Nama Archana and Deeparadhana.
Ganesha Sahasranamam is chanted on every Shukla Chaturthi at 6:45pm.
First Sunday of every month at 9:00 am is Ashta Dravya Ganapathi Homam. Ashta Dravya literally translates as "eight sacred offerings". The Ganapathi Homam differs from the daily Ganapathi Homam in that there are eight more offerings made to Sri Ganesha. These offerings are considered auspicious for removing obstacles and this puja is often recommended for family members during the times of Graha Doshas.