Vinayaki Chauti, dedicated to Pratham Pooja of Lord
Ganesha, begins on the fourth day (Chaturthi or Chauti) of the Shukla Paksha every
month.
Legend
The legend associated with his birth says that
Goddess Parvati created Lord Ganesha from sand to keep guard while she bathed.
Lord Ganesha, dedicatedly watching over his mother, denied entry even to Lord
Shiva. An enraged Lord Shiva chopped off his head to gain entry. Goddess
Parvati told Lord Shiva that Ganesha was their child and asked for his life.
Shiva asked his ganas to look for a deceased individual who lies still
facing North. The devas could only locate a dead elephant with its head
pointing to the north and took its head to Lord Shiva, who put it on Lord
Ganesha's neck. This is also why Lord Ganesha is called Gajanana.
Lord
Ganesh symbolism