Ganesh is the foremost God of the Hindu Pantheon.The god with the elephant head is the second son of Shiv and Parvati (in South India he is regarded as the first son). He was born on Sukul Paksh Chouth in the month of Bhadon (which falls sometimes in September of the European calender) and is known as Ganesh Chaturthi. He was born in Kashi in the home of his maternal grandparents Himachal and Maina while Lord Shiv had gone to Mount Kailash for Tapasya.
Lord Ganesha - The Elephant-Headed Hindu God
Ganesh is worshiped first on all auspicious occasions, whether it is a marriage or a religious function. His image is prayed to first and is there even in a temple dedicated to other deities. Ganeshji is also invoked and worshiped before any festival, or a new project or venture that a Hindu undertakes. The housewife utters his name before even starting a small chore like putting a new vessel on the fire; he is the remover of all sankat (obstacles) and is an extremely benevolent god, fulfilling the wishes of those who pray to him sincerely.
Sri Ganesha: A Hindu Elephant-Deity