<P> Hindu mythology presents many stories, which explain how Ganesha obtained his elephant or gaja head . Often, the origin of this particular attribute is to be found in the same anecdotes which tell about his birth . The stories also reveal the origins of the enormous popularity of his cult . Devotees sometimes interpret his elephant head as indicating intelligence, discriminative power, fidelity, or other attributes thought to be had by elephants . The large elephant ears are said to denote wisdom and the ability to listen to people who seek help . </P> <P> The most well - known story is probably the one taken from the Shiva Purana . Goddess Parvati had started preparing for a bath . As she didn't want to be disturbed during her bath and since Nandi was not at Kailash to keep guard of the door, Goddess Parvati took the turmeric paste (for bathing) from her body and made a form of a boy and breathed life into him . This boy was instructed by Goddess Parvati to guard the door and to not let anyone in till she finished her bath . </P> <P> After Lord Shiva had come out of his meditation, he wanted to go and see Parvati but found himself being stopped by this strange boy . Shiva tried to reason with the boy saying that he was Parvati's husband but the boy did not listen and was determined to not let Shiva enter till his mother Goddess Parvati finished her bath . The boy's behaviour surprised Shiva . Sensing that this was no ordinary boy, the usually peaceful Shiva decided he would have to fight the boy and in his divine fury severed the boy's head with his Trishul thereby killing him instantly . </P> <P> When Parvati learned of this, she was so enraged and insulted that she decided to destroy the entire Creation . At her call, she summoned all of her ferocious multi-armed forms, the Yoginis arose from her body and threatened to destroy all . Lord Brahma, being the Creator, naturally had his issues with this, and pleaded that she reconsider her drastic plan . She said she would, but only if two conditions were met: one, that the boy be brought back to life, and two, that he be forever worshipped before all the other gods . </P>

The story of how lord ganesha got his elephant head