My sister gave me the small Ganesha statue before my big trip to India. At the time, the significance of this strange, elephant-headed god was still unknown to me. Ganesha was a constant companion throughout my stay, and I soon learned the great reverence and respect that the majority of the Indian people, as well as spiritual leaders around the world, have for this Hindu deity. For me, the Ganesha figure embodies respect, not because believers fear it; quite the opposite: Ganesha is considered a god of good luck. I associate Ganesha with respect for religion, customs, and traditions, which, for me, defines the special culture of India.
