Why does Ganesha have an Elephants head?
According to Padma Purana, Ganesha is the younger son of Shiva and Parvati, while according tomShiva Purana, Ganesha was created by Parvati from her own soil and water of Ganga. This makes Parvati and Ganga his mothers, and he is sometimes therefore known as Dwimatri. Once when Shiva was away, Parvati wanted someone to guard the door while she bathed. From the scurf of her body, she moulded a boy and gave him life. She told him to attend the door and not allow anyone to enter. Shiva returned, and when he tried to enter, was stopped by Ganesha. An argument arose, and enraged, Shiva cut off Ganesha’s head and entered. When Parvati discovered that Shiva had entered by beheading her son, she was inconsolable. Repentant, Shiva ordered that the head of the first living being that was found should be brought to him. This happened to be the head of an elephant calf. He placed this on Ganesha’s head and restored him to life. Why we pray to Ganesha before undertaking any important task? A legend
