A Pillaiyar idol at the foot of the "Kodi Maram" (where flag is hoisted during the annual festival) of the Sri Ranmalingaswamy Sametha Sri Rajeshwary Ambal temple in Maanaavaari, North Western Province

Pillaiyar idol at Munneswaram temple

A Pillaiyar idol at the foot of the "Kodi Maram" (where flag is hoisted during the annual festival) of the Munneswaram temple

Pillaiyar idol at Arulmigu Sri Muneeswarar Kaaliyambaal temple in Wolfendhal, Colombo 13

Sri Nalla Vinayagar under a Bo tree at Sri Ranmalingaswamy Sametha Sri Rajeshwary Ambal temple in Maanaavaari, North Western Province

Pillaiyar idol at Arulmigu Sri Muneeswarar Kaaliyambaal temple in Wolfendhal, Colombo 13

A Pillaiyar idol is made out of Navathaaniyam (nine grains)

Pillaiyar idol at Sri Gayathri Lankatheeswarar temple in Nuwara Eliya

Pillaiyar idol is kept at the bottom of the "Kodi Thampam" of the Sri Sivasubramaniya Swamy temple in Ginthupitty

Pillaiyar idol at Sri Sivasubramaniya Swamy temple situated in Panawala estate, Lunuwatte, Welimada

A Pillaiyar idol is kept at the foot of the mountain which leads to the Sri Bhaktha Hanuman Temple in Ramboda

Pillaiyar idol is kept at a temple in Kaluthavalai, Batticaloa district

Pillaiyar idol is kept at a temple in Kaluthavalai, Batticaloa district

A road side shrine for Pillaiyar in Polonnaruwa

Pillaiyar idol at Maariyamman Temple in Siththandy, Batticaloa district

Kallady Mugaththuvaaram, Batticaloa district - A shrine for Pillaiyar on the outer route of the Manikkapillaiyar temple.

A shrine for Pillaiyar on the outer route of the Manikkapillaiyar temple in Kallady Mugaththuvaaram, Batticaloa district

A shrine for Pillayar under a Bo tree on the outer route of Kannaki Amman temple in Thaandavanveli, Batticaloa district

A road side shrine for Pillaiyar near snake hills is decorated with fresh flowers in Mylampaveli on A15 highway, Batticaloa to Trincomalee

Temple chariot of Anaipanthy Mariamman temple in procession to Mamangam Pillaiyar Temple, May 5th 2007.

Picture was taken from a house balcony while crossing Bar Road, Batticaloa

Sri Vinayagar at Sri Venkadeswara Maha Vishnu temple in Nedimala

Pilliayar under a Bo tree at Sri Ponnambalawaneswara Devasthanam in Kochchikade

Ganapathi, the God of Good beginning confers success, wealth and knowledge on devotees.

Moola Vinayagar at the main entrance of Munneswaram Sivan temple in Chilaw

A Pillaiyar idol is at Munneswaram temple

Different idols of Pillaiyar are displayed on the wall at the main entrance of Munneswaram temple

At the main entrance of Munneswaram temple, idols of Pillaiyar are displayed on the wall

Pillaiyar idols are displayed on the wall at the main entrance of Munneswaram temple

Different idols of Pillaiyar are displayed on the wall at the main entrance of Munneswaram temple

Different idols of Pillaiyar are displayed on the wall at the main entrance of Munneswaram temple

A brass Pillaiyar idol is kept for sale among other idols in Munneswaram

A granite Pillaiyar idol is at Sri Nalla Vinayagar Murugan Maha Vishnu Devasthanam in Munnewaram

A Pillaiyar idol is kept under a tree at Barefoot Cafe in Colombo 03

"Kann Thirushdi Pillaiyar and Yantiram" (A particular Pilliayar which chases away the ill evils and a metal piece engraved with sanskrit manthras) on a sticker in a three wheeler

Lisa Mullins speaks with Sanjay Patel, an animator for Pixar Studios and the author of a book called "The Little Book of Hindu Deities." The book describes the more prominent Hindu gods and goddesses, and offers light-hearted illustrations of each: [theworld.org]

The Little Book of Hindu Deities by Sanjay Patel

A Pillaiyar idol is drawn on an umbrella, which is used for procession of idols during the festive season at Sri Ponnambalawaneswarar Devasthanam in Kochchikade

Pillaiyar is decorated and carried by male devotees on their shoulders on chariot day Mar 31, 2007 at Sri Ponnambalawaneswarar Devasthanam in Kochchikade

Pillaiyar is decorated and carried by male devotees on their shoulders on chariot day at Sri Ponnambalawaneswarar Devasthanam in Kochchikade

Roadside Vinayagar in Vakarai

A Vinayagar idol is kept in Vakarai on A15 highway, main road from Trincomalee to Batticaloa

Roadside Vinayagar in Vakarai

"He joyously bestowed the grace of the Path of No-Suffering" - Vinayagar Agaval, By Auvaiyar

The main Pillaiyar idol is decorated in the "Moolasthaanam" (main shrine of the temple) of Naattukottai Nagaraththaar New Kathiresan temple in Bambalapity-Colombo during its annual festival (Alangaara Thiruvizha)

Ganapathi, the God of Good beginning confers success, wealth and knowledge on devotees. A Pillayar is in the "Moolasthaanam" (main shrine of the temple) of Naattukottai Nagaraththaar New Kathiresan temple in Bambalapity-Colombo

Millions of devotees seek he elephant-faced Lord's grace before embarking on any endeavour and find their actions capped with victory. A Pillaiyar idol is carved above the "Moolasthanam" (main shrine of the temple) of Naattukottai Nagaraththaar New Kathiresan temple in Bambalapity-Colombo

A wooden Pillaiyar idol is kept at the reception of Indian Cultural Centre in Bambalapity-Colombo

A picture of Pillaiyar is hung at a fruit stall in Munneswaram-Chilaw

Pillaiyar is placed on a Hindu wedding invitation

Pillaiyar is placed on a Hindu wedding invitation

A Pilliayar is displayed on a vedic chanting audio compact disc. Vedic hymns are chanted as part of sacred ceremonies. The values they contain are eternal and timeless.They are as relevant today as they were thousands of years ago,when they came into being.

The orthodox method of learning them is from a qualified teacher. However just listening to them can uplift the soul.It is believed that they can help ward off negative thoughts and lead to atonement and purity of mind. This in turn leads to peace of mind and prosperity.

Elephant God is displayed on an instrumental invocation to Lord Ganesh audio compact disc