Vishvaksena is the commander-in-chief of Lord Vishnu's army and the gatekeeper of Vishnu's abode, Vaikuntha, according to Vaishnavism. He is a deity who is worshipped before any ritual or temple festival begins to ensure it runs smoothly. In some traditions, he is depicted as having an elephant head and is considered the Vaishnava equivalent of Ganesha, the remover of obstacles.
