Ganesh Chaturthi Katha

Once upon a time, Goddess Parvati while taking bath created a boy from the dough that she used for her own bath, and infused life into it. Thus Ganesha was born. She asked him to be on the entrance of the house to keep a guard. She told him not to permit anyone to enter the house while she was taking bath. After sometime, Lord Shiva who was very thirsty came there but was stopped on the gate by Ganesha. After a little argument, Lord Shiva asked him to let him go inside but Ganesha refused and said that mother has asked to safeguard the house. Lord Shiva tried to explain that he was the husband of Goddess Parvati and had a right to enter the house without anyones permission, but Ganesha did not allow him to get inside.This made Lord Shiva very angry and he cut off the head of Ganesha with his trident as he did not know that Ganesha was his son. When Parvati came out after hearing the noise, she saw that her son lay dead. She told the story to Lord Shiva and in her anger, told Lord Shiva that she will destroy the complete world. Afterwards, Lord Brahma went to Goddess Parvati seeking for mercy to protect the world from destruction. Then, she agreed on two conditions one that her son should get back her life and the next he will be worshipped before all the gods and goddesses.Furthermore, she asked Lord Shiva to fix the head of her son. He then told that whichever living being he will see in the first sight its head will be taken to fix it on the body of Ganesha.

Then he, with Lord Vishnu, came on the earth and at first he saw a small elephant. Hence, Lord Shiva cut off the head of the elephant and fixed it on the body of Lord Ganesha, thereby bringing him back to life. Lord Shiva apologized for his misbehaviour and arrogance and announced that Lord Ganesha will be honoured by everyone as the first god and will be worshipped before all the god and goddesses. He will be known as Ganesha, the chief of the Ganas and Vigneshwara, Lord of all obstacles and Vighnaharta, demolisher of all obstacles. Also, Lord Ganesha is denoted as the god of good luck, wisdom, knowledge, and kindness. In addition to this, Lord Ganesha is worshipped before starting any good work including studies, marriage, business, etc.