Mythology of Ganesh Chaturthi

Mythology

Centuries ago
during a war between the Gods and the Demons, Lord Shiva was away for
a long time. His wife, Goddess Parvati, afraid of being alone for an extended
period used her divine powers and created a son, Ganesh, and gave him
the responsibility of protecting the house. When Lord Shiva and his army,
returned victorious to his home, Parvati was in her bath, and Ganesh had
been strictly instructed not to allow anyone in. Angered by Ganesh’s refusal
to allow him in to the house, Lord Shiva and his army chopped off the
boy’s head. When Parvati came out of her bath, she was shocked and grieved
to see her son dead. Lord Shiva, to pacify, her proclaimed that the head
of Ganesh would be replaced by that of the first creature that came up
the hill. As luck would have it the first visitor to the hill was an elephant
and his head was promptly cut off and placed on that of Lord Ganesh, and
life was restored to the son of Lord Shiva and goddess Parvati. To pacify
his wife further and compensate for the act of killings own son, Lord Shiva
bestowed upon Ganesh the powers of a God and blessed him that henceforth
no activity will begin without invoking your name and blessings. Since
then, it is said, no new venture - the inauguration of accompany, the
opening of a shop, the foundation of a building, entering a new home -
is deemed complete by Hindus without a Ganesh puja.

Ancient Hindu
texts are filled with tales about Lord Ganesh, his powers, wisdom and
goodness, one of the most delightful being the one about a contest between
him and his brother, Kartikeya. Kartikeya was very proud of his mount,
the peacock, and his own speed and efficiency, challenged lord Ganesh
to a race around the world 7 times. While Kartikeya made a tour of the
world thrice, Ganesh just encircled lord Shiva and goddess Parvati, his
parents 7 times, and claimed victory. The story is often related to inculcate
in children the importance of God and their parents.