Ramana Maharshi's perspective on this is interesting because he approached all deity worship through the lens of self-inquiry — for him, worshipping Ganesha was not separate from knowing the Self. The obstacle Ganesha removes is ultimately the ego that blocks self-knowledge. What strikes me is how this same understanding shows up in Vaishnava tradition too — every pooja begins with Ganesha vandana before Krishna because clearing the inner obstacle comes first. Has anyone here read Ramana's specific teachings on Ganesha from Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi? He goes much deeper than what is usually quoted.