Chaturthi Vrat Katha

According to the story, one day Goddess Parvati felt saddened because she did not have a son. She collected the sacred sandalwood paste and turmeric from her body (described in some traditions as the divine paste from her body), fashioned it into the form of a young boy, and infused it with life through her divine power.

Before going to bathe in a nearby cave pond, Goddess Parvati instructed the boy to stand guard at the entrance and not allow anyone to enter under any circumstances.

Obedient to his mother's command, the boy stood watch at the entrance.

After some time, Lord Shiva arrived and attempted to enter the cave. Unaware of Shiva's identity, the young boy stopped him and refused to let him pass, faithfully following his mother's instructions.

Lord Shiva tried to explain who he was, but the boy remained firm in his duty. Angered by the boy's refusal, Lord Shiva drew his trident (Trishul) and severed the child's head.

While bathing, Goddess Parvati sensed that something terrible had happened. She rushed outside and found her beloved son lying lifeless on the ground.

Overwhelmed with grief and anger, Goddess Parvati's divine fury shook the universe. Seeing her wrath, all the gods became frightened and pleaded with Lord Shiva to restore the child to life.

To calm Parvati and revive the boy, Lord Shiva instructed his attendants (Ganas) to bring the head of the first young living being they found whose mother was facing away from it.

The attendants soon returned with the head of a young elephant. Lord Shiva placed the elephant's head upon the boy's body and restored him to life through his divine power.

Although her son had been revived, Goddess Parvati worried that others might mock him because he now had the head of an elephant.

To honor the child and remove all doubts, Lord Shiva bestowed a glorious blessing upon him, declaring:

"From this day onward, you shall be known as Ganapati, the Lord of the Ganas."

The assembled gods also blessed him, proclaiming that Lord Ganesha would always be worshipped before the commencement of any auspicious ceremony, ritual, or new undertaking.

They further declared that anyone who begins a sacred ritual without first invoking Lord Ganesha would not receive the full fruits of their worship or endeavor.

For this reason, devotees worship Lord Ganesha first before every religious ceremony, festival, or important beginning, seeking his blessings for wisdom, success, and the removal of obstacles.