The Elephant-Headed God of Wisdom and Auspicious Beginnings in Hinduism
In Hindu tradition, Ganesha is the son of Shiva and Parvati, with the distinctive form of an elephant’s head on a human body, revered as the "remover of obstacles" and the patron of wisdom, learning, and the start of new ventures — Hindus customarily worship Ganesha before beginning any important undertaking (a wedding, a business, an exam) to pray for good fortune. The origin of his elephant head is told in several ways across Hindu texts; this site presents the most widely known version.
The most widely told version records that Parvati made Ganesha from the dirt of her body to guard her door and let no one enter; when Shiva returned unknowing and was barred, a conflict arose, and in his fury he struck off Ganesha’s head. Parvati was grief-stricken, so Shiva ordered the head of the first creature met to be fetched and joined on — it was an elephant — and Ganesha was thus revived, worshipped ever after with an elephant’s head on a human body.
The story of the origin of Ganesha’s elephant head exists in several versions across Hindu texts; this site presents the most widely told, other versions differing in detail — a normal narrative diversity within Hinduism.
Below are how modern works borrow or reinterpret this name or story — not the original material. The two differ, so keep them apart.
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