Ganesh Chaturthi 2020: The Story of Lord Ganesha's Birth - In Pics

(Image: Network18 Graphics)

Once upon a time, Lord Shiva had gone to fight a battle against evil. Goddess Parvati was alone in their home in Mount Kailash. (Image: Network18 Graphics)

On one occasion, she had to go for a bath but had no one to stand guard. So she took some turmeric paste from her body and moulded it. (Image: Network18 Graphics)

She then breathed life into the shape. And lo, Ganesha came into being! (Image: Network18 Graphics)

The little lord was strictly instructed to not allow anyone in, while his mother bathed. Being a faithful son, he did as told. (Image: Network18 Graphics)

Soon, the battle was over and Lord Shiva returned home. (Image: Network18 Graphics)

But he was shocked to find a strange little boy stopping him from entering his own home. (Image: Network18 Graphics)

An angry Shiva ordered his army to destroy him. (Image: Network18 Graphics)

But Ganesha fought back well. (Image: Network18 Graphics)

Shiva then decided to slay the little one himself. In his divine rage, he cut Ganesha's head in one blow, killing him instantly. (Image: Network18 Graphics)

When Goddess Parvati learnt of this, she was livid. She summoned all her avatars and decided to wipe away all of mankind. (Image: Network18 Graphics)

A repentant Shiva pleaded with her to reconsider. (Image: Network18 Graphics)

Parvati then put out two conditions: that Ganesha is bought back to life, and that he be worshipped first before all the other gods. (Image: Network18 Graphics)

Shiva turned to Brahma and asked him to bring the head of the first creature he sees sleeping, with its head facing the north. (Image: Network18 Graphics)

Brahma returned with an elephant's head. Shiva then placed it on Ganesha's body. (Image: Network18 Graphics)

After bringing him to life, Shiva declared him as his son. (Image: Network18 Graphics)

And that's how our elephant god came into being. (Image: Network18 Graphics)