According to legend, Parvati asked Ganesha to guard her door when she went to bathe. Shiva who had spent some time away in meditation, returned to find Ganesha standing guard and refusing to let him enter his own home. Overcome by anger, Shiva killed the child, but stricken by remorse, promised Parvati he would bring Ganesha back to life and replace his head with that of the first living creature he saw next morning. This happened to be an elephant and so Ganesha was revived in his elephant headed form. To this day, elephants are worshipped as incarnations of Ganesha.

Ganesha is worshipped as the remover of obstacles, as the God of wisdom and success. His plump belly symbolizes prosperity, and his large forehead represents intelligence and foresight. He is invoked at the beginning of any journey, wedding ceremony and enterprise.