Lord Ganesh, the second son of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva, is regarded as one of the most prominent of the Hindu deities. He is worshipped, and given due respect, by virtually all Hindus from every sect and faith, and is found residing in virtually all Hindu temples. Ganesh Pujan (worship) is performed at the commencement of any major life event for example; he is the first and final deity to be worshipped in the Hindu wedding ceremony. In addition, even before laying the foundations of a house the blessings of Ganesh are invoked.

During the winter of December between the 21st - 25th the worship of Ganesh in his five-faced Maha Ganapati form is performed in a modern Hindu festival known as Pancha Ganapati. Pancha Ganapti is a Hindu expression of a seasonal worship, gift giving and celebration. The festival is based around the family especially the young children, the future of Hinduism, who play an integral part of its performance.

Before the commencement of the festival the main shrine, within the Hindu home is lovingly decorated in the spirit of the festive season with natural ornaments such as flowers, the leaves off a banana tree and sugarcane, as well more contemporary ornaments such as lights and glittering tinsel. The main objective being to make the shrine fit for the presence of the five-faced form of Lord Ganapati. If however one cannot obtain a murti in this form a traditional murti of Shree Ganesh is used.

During the five day festival, each morning children within the family adorn Lord Ganesh in a special colour which is pre-allocated for each of the days; Golden Yellow on December 21st, Royal Blue on 22nd, Ruby Red on the 23rd, on 24th its Emerald Green and on the 25th of December it is a Dazzling Orange. Throughout the five days, the children offer Vinayak, the lord of all, various sweet delicacies amongst other traditional offerings, which are then shared amongst other members of the family as well as themselves as sacred Prasad. During these days, gifts are offered to one another.

In essence this festival is a time in which individuals in the family take some time out of their busy schedules, and gather together to enable all members to simply cherish their time together as a family and share their delight and happiness with one another, all the while paying their obeisance's to Vignahara, the remover of obstacles, asking him to bless their household for the days to come.

ll Vakratunda mahakaya koti Surya samaprabha
Nirvighnam Kurume deva sarvakaryeshu sarbada ll

"Oh, Lord Ganesh, with curved trunk and massive body, the one whose splendour is equal to millions of suns, please bless me so that I do not face any obstacles in my endeavours."