What it means
Victory to Shri Ganesh. In Hindi, starting anything is called doing its shri ganesh. That's how deep the association runs.
Where it comes from
Wedding cards, a shop's first ledger, a child's first written letter: Ganesha's name goes at the top. Jai Shri Ganesh is the spoken version of the same habit, simple enough that toddlers learn it early.
How to chant it
Before anything auspicious, with a lamp lit or simply with folded hands.
When: Wednesdays, Ganesh Chaturthi, and at any new beginning.
Try it now
The japa counter opens with this mantra selected and keeps count for you.
Questions people ask
In one story the gods raced to circle the world. Ganesha simply walked around his parents, Shiva and Parvati, saying they were his whole world, and won the right to be worshipped before anyone else.