Why does Ganesha have an elephant head? Shiva cut off the head of the boy Parvati had set to guard her door. To bring him back, Shiva gave him the head of an elephant and blessed him to be worshipped before every other god.
The story
Parvati wished for someone who would be hers alone. She shaped a boy from the turmeric paste she used when bathing, gave him life, and set him to guard her door.
Shiva came home and the boy, who had never seen him, barred his way. A fight followed, and Shiva cut off the boy’s head. Parvati’s grief and anger shook the worlds. Shiva sent his ganas north, telling them to bring the head of the first creature they met. They returned with the head of an elephant.
Shiva placed it on the boy and gave him life again. He made him leader of his ganas, and blessed him to be worshipped before every other god. That is why every puja starts with Ganesha, and why he is called remover of obstacles.
What it teaches
Sources
- Shiva Purana.
The puja families link with this story
Questions devotees ask us
Where does the story of Ganesha’s elephant head come from?
It is told in the Shiva Purana. Retellings differ in small details from region to region.
What does this story teach?
Ganesha is worshipped first, because he stood by his duty.