By 
In Hinduism, Lord Ganesha is the God of wisdom, knowledge, and new beginnings. The story of his birth is a fascinating one, full of intrigue, betrayal, and devotion.
Characters in the story:
Lord Ganesh: Lord Ganesh, also known as Ganapati, is a Hindu deity who is revered as the remover of obstacles and the god of new beginnings, wisdom, and intellect. He is depicted with the head of an elephant and is widely worshipped across India and beyond.
Nandi: Nandi is a sacred bull and the vehicle (vahana) of Lord Shiva. He is often depicted sitting at the entrance of Shiva’s abode, acting as a gatekeeper and devotee of Lord Shiva.
Goddess Parvati: Goddess Parvati is a major deity in Hinduism, known as the goddess of fertility, love, and devotion, and is the wife of Lord Shiva, the destroyer and transformer in the Hindu trinity.
Lord Shiva: Lord Shiva is a major deity in Hinduism, known as the destroyer of evil and the transformer of the universe. He is often depicted as a meditating ascetic or as the lord of dance, with a third eye, a serpent around his neck, and a trident in his hand.
One day, while at her home on Mt. Kailash, Goddess Parvati was preparing for a bath. In order to avoid any disturbances, she instructed Nandi, her husband Shiva’s Bull, to guard the door and prevent anyone from entering. Nandi dutifully assumed his post and was determined to carry out Parvati’s wishes.
However, when Shiva returned home and naturally wanted to enter, Nandi had no choice but to let him pass, as his loyalty was first to Shiva. Parvati was upset by this breach, but even more so by the fact that she lacked someone as devoted to her as Nandi was to Shiva.
In response, Parvati took the turmeric paste meant for her bath and breathed life into it, creating Ganesha and declaring him to be her own loyal son.
On the occasion of Parvati’s next bathing, she stationed Ganesha to stand guard at the door. When Shiva returned home, he was confronted by the unfamiliar boy, who refused him entry into his own house.
This incensed Shiva, who commanded his army to eliminate the boy. However, Ganesha’s immense power, inherited from Devi Herself, rendered them all unsuccessful.
Shiva was surprised by Ganesha’s strength and realized that he was no ordinary boy. Though typically peaceful, Shiva resolved to fight him in his divine fury and beheaded Ganesha, killing him instantly.
Parvati was enraged and humiliated when she learned of this, and resolved to destroy the entire universe. Lord Brahma, the Creator, intervened and persuaded her to reconsider her plan. Parvati agreed to do so, on the condition that two things be met: first, Ganesha must be revived, and second, he must be worshiped above all other gods.
Shiva, having cooled down, realized his error and accepted Parvati’s terms. He ordered Brahma to retrieve the head of the first creature he encountered with its head facing north. Brahma returned with the head of a strong elephant, which Shiva placed onto Ganesha’s body. Breathing new life into him, Shiva proclaimed Ganesha as his own son and granted him the highest status among the gods, naming him Ganapati and making him the leader of all ganas (classes of beings).
From then on, Ganesha became a beloved deity, worshiped by millions around the world. His elephant head represents intelligence, and his large ears signify his listening skills. He is also depicted with a big belly, which symbolizes his ability to digest all experiences in life, good or bad.
The story of Lord Ganesha’s birth teaches us the importance of devotion and forgiveness. It also reminds us that even the most powerful Gods can make mistakes, and that we should always be ready to forgive and seek forgiveness.
