Lord Ganesha Lord Ganesh is one of the most worshipped and best known deities in the Hindu religion. He is known as the son of Lord Shiv and Goddess Parvati. The sign of recognizing Lord Ganesha is by His elephant like head. There is a story behind this. When Shiva killed Aditya, the son of a sage, he was raged out. So, to restore life to the dead boy, Lord Shiva replaced Aditya’s head to Indra’s elephant. At that time, the sage cursed Lord Shiv that his son would have the same fate.
After creating Ganesh, Goddess Parvati ordered him to guard the door and not allow anyone to come in. when Shiv came, although he claimed himself to be her husband, Ganesh denied him entry. Angrily, Shiv cut his head. When Parvati came to know about it, she got furious. Shiv pleaded Brahma to get the head of the first creature that is lying with its head facing north. Brahma soon returned with the head of an elephant and replacing Ganesh’s head, his life was restored. Since then, Lord Ganesha is prayed with an elephant head. People, to receive blessings from Lord Ganesha, chant various mantras. Some of them are: .
“Aum Shri Ganeshay Namah”
This is the mantra of prayer, love and adoration. It is chanted to get Ganesha's blessings for the positive starting of a project, work or simply to offer him the praise.