Shri Ganesha, also called Ganapati, Vigneshwara, or Vinayaka, is the most popular of the Hindu deities and is worshipped before all undertakings because He removes obstacles and ensures success.

Our Temple's Shri Ganesha was gifted to the people of Lansing in 1982 by the late Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami (1927-2001) of Saiva Siddhanta Church, Kapaa, Hawaii. During the ten years (1982-1992) that it took for our temple to become a physical reality, the only murti that the community had for worship was Shri Ganesha, The Satguru's words to us at the time of his gift, "You start worshipping Shri Ganesha and He will build His own temple," were prophetic. The murti (idol) arrived in Lansing on the very auspicious day of Sankashta-Chaturthi, November 4, 1982 and remained in the home of Sudhakar and Usha Kulkarni for ten years. It was moved to the newly constructed temple in April 1992. In an open letter to the community written at the time of this move, the Kulkarnis said: "Ganesha, as you move into the new Temple, we request that you bless this community with knowledge and wealth, peace and compassion. Make us work in harmony so that we can complete the Cultural Hall, and let this place be a showcase of the art and music of India". This wish was soon realized.

For a picture of Shri Ganesha covered in sandalpaste during the 1999 Ganesh Chaturthi festival at the Temple, please click here.