4 stories about Lord Ganesha you probably didn't know

Think anything auspicious in the Hindu context and Ganesha is one of the default visions. Why? Because as legend has it, Ganesha was to be the first lord of worship during any religious procession or celebration.

That being said, we know how the Ganesh Chaturthi fever is already taking over our lives. But as we get ready to gorge on modaks and chant aartis dedicated to the destroyer of obstacles, here are a few things about the cutest lord of them all you probably didn't know:

1. The elephant head

It's said that Lord Ganesha's mother, Goddess Parvati, carved an idol of a boy out of turmeric powder and breathed life into it, unbeknownst to her husband, Lord Shiva.

So, when Ganesha denied Lord Shiva entry into his abode--because Goddess Parvati was bathing inside--Shiva decapitated Ganesha's head in anger. According to legend, an elephant was the first animal that Lord Brahma later found when he went out to look for one (to replace Ganesha's head).

Ganesha with his parents, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, and brother Lord Kartik. Picture courtesy: Pinterest/Dolls of India Art Store

Also Read: 5 foods that Lord Ganesha loves, and you should too

2. Writing the Mahabhrata

It's said that Ganesha wrote the Mahabharata, as it was recited to him by sage Vyasa (Veda Vyasa). According to Lifehacker, this was done on the condition that Vyasa would not stop while reciting the epic and that Ganesha would not stop while writing, besides the condition that Ganesha would not merely write it, but also understand every verse of it. Popular legends say that it took both of them three years of continuous speaking and writing to complete the epic.

Ganesha wrote the Mahabharata as Rishi Vyas recited it. Picture courtesy: Pinterest/hinducosmos.tumblr.com

3. The half-tusk

If you've ever noticed the idol of Lord Ganesha carefully, you'd have noticed the broken tusk. As legend goes, when Ganesha was writing the Mahabharata, the feather he was writing with broke. So, to stick to the condition of writing continuously, Ganesha broke his tusk and wrote with it.

Some are also of the belief that Lord Parashurama cut off one of Ganesha's tusks because he didn't allow him to enter the Shiva abode and meet Lord Shiva, who was busy praying, according to Lifehacker.

Also Read: 8 dads from Hindu mythology we're glad we don't have

Ganesha, the Hindu god with an elephant's head. Picture courtesy: Pinterest/manju mishra

4. Mouse as his vehicle

Now, there are two theories to this:

First, in ancient times, when agriculture was the primary mode of sustenance, rodents were one of the biggest obstacles to prosperity--as they are for farmers even today. Destroying crops, eating stored grains are all in a day's work for a rodent. Lord Ganesha, in having a mouse/rat as his vehicle, is symbolically shown to have conquered this pest, thus staying true to his name and work as the destroyer of obstacles, according to biodiversity of India.

Second, Lord Ganesha was able to reach all the nooks and crannies of the world--and do his duty as the destroyer of obstacles--because his vehicle was a mouse--because mice/rats can slither through tiny holes and narrow pathways.